By Vivian Onyebukwa
The Parish Priest of St Mary’s Catholic Church, Isolo, Lagos, Rev. Fr. Philip Egbuniwe, has admonished newly wedded couples to embrace God for the success of their marriages, considering the present economic situation. According to him, Nigerians are sustaining the hardship because they have God.
He stated that the essence of the marriage solemnisation is to be reconciled fully with God and church as Catholic Christians to be able to receive communions and participate fully in other sacraments.
Egbuniwe said this at the solemnisation of 32 couples at the 2023 St Mary’s/LSM Isolo Sub-Council Biannual mass wedding.
While advising the newly wedded couples, he asked them to cherish the God-given opportunity. He further advised them on how to make their marriages work.
He said: “Three things are needed- their decision to be husband and wife, and their determination to make it work because they are like candles that is lighted which must give light. They must detach themselves from anything that may lead them to leave. They should also join societies in the church to strengthen their faith.”
Sir Lawrence Ojeme, Grand Knight of Knight of St Mulumba, Isolo Sub-Council, Lagos, said one of the objectives of Knight of St Mulumba (KSM) is to project the image of God to help those who are not strong in their faith.
“We see to the aspect of welfare and charity. Welfare in the aspect of two perspectives- physical and spiritual. So, if you are going to help somebody to develop and be able to associate with the grace of God, first, you ask yourself why the person is not doing what he is supposed to be doing. “Some of those people go to church. They are part and parcel of Catholic Church, but for one reason or the other, they can’t participate in sacrament in the church,” he said.
Ojeme gave so many reasons why people can’t participate in the sacrament where they go to church. “Some can’t ratify their marriages because of financial reason, cultural impediment, while some feel that they are not ready yet. It does not require millions to do wedding. It just requires spiritual sponsors”, he said.
He described the event as an open door, and admonished the participants to utilise the opportunity they have for the work of God.
On tips for a successful marriage, he said: “Be open to each other. You need money, but money does not make a successful marriage. Love yourselves, be patient, don’t be extravagant with resources. Be truthful, love and respect each other. Allow the spirit of God to guide you. Finally, train your children in the way of God.”
President of the Ladies of St Mulumba, Isolo Sub-Council, Lady Neta Nwosu, described the ratification of the 32 couples in Nigeria as an amazing and great experience, saying: “We make families totally Catholic which is what we are doing today.”
One of the newly wedded couples, Bruno Imokhai, who has been married for 30 years expressed joy over the event. Explaining why it took him long to ratify his marriage, he said: “Each time I tried to do it, something happens. We were living far away, so by the time we relocated close to the church, and this is the first mass wedding they have had, I decided to do it.”
He advised men who are yet to ratify their marriages to do so. “If you believe in the faith you profess, you have to do it so that you can participate fully.”
His wife, Beatrice Imokhai, advised women to be patient and tolerant in their marriages to succeed.
One of the youngest participants, Damilola Adebayo, whose marriage has lasted for close to two years, expressed excitement, describing it as an opportunity to be part of the Catholic family. She said: “We have actually done our wedding, but it is like a ratification today. It’s been an awesome event and we are grateful to the Knights and Ladies of St Mulumba”
Her husband, Adebayo, equally advised other men to take bold steps to ratify their marriages.