Catholic Diocese of Oyo

23/04/2026

𝐁𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐏 𝐁𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐉𝐎 𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍’𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐓 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐋𝐀𝐃𝐘 𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐋, 𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐘𝐈𝐍.

The Church exists to evangelize, and one of her outreach activities in this line of duty is the provision of quality and affordable health services to the society, especially in the areas where such is not only scarce, but also vitiated. This is what the Church in Oyo Diocese also makes the effort to provide through the healthcare services offered at Our Lady Hospital, Iseyin, a health facility which has been in existence for over fifty years, and which has served the entire Oke Ogun axis, even as far back as when the government presence in the area was not too well-pronounced.

Faithful to the mandate of Jesus to the Church, and in response to the growing demands for good health facilities in Iseyin, its environs, and Oke Ogun in general, the hospital has witnessed sustained development. Hence, the need to put up structures, which would improve the services in the administration and other areas of the hospital. This led to the construction of a small but meticulously-crafted office of the Matron, while the former office will be utilized as the Hospital Secretariat to carry out further duties rendered by the health facility.

Rising from the Hospital’s Management Board meeting on Thursday April 23, 2026, Bishop Emmanuel Badejo, the Bishop of Oyo Diocese, and the Proprietor of the hospital blessed the newly constructed office in the presence of the Hospital Matron, Sr. Teresa Peter, the Matron of Atupa Eye Clinic, Sr. Cecilia Olusanya, the Hospital Chaplain and Dean of Iseyin, Rev. Fr. Martin Badejo, and Hospital Board Members. The Bishop prayed for all who contributed to the success of the construction, all who make effort to see to the sustenance of the hospital, and all who work in the facility, that God would bless them, and that all who come to seek for healing in the hospital may be touched and healed by God, the perfect healer.

18/04/2026

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀
‎ -𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗷𝗼

15/04/2026

14/04/2026

HOLY MASS IN CELEBRATION OF THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY
OF ST. CECILIA MUSIC TRAINING CENTER

13/04/2026

𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐨 𝐗𝐈𝐕 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐥𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞.

“𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲.”

12/04/2026

𝗛𝘂𝗴 & 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 (𝗙𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲)
𝗜𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗱…
𝗔 𝘀𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲,
𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.

12/04/2026

𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 (𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁)
𝗔 𝘀𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲… 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵.
𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱,
𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 “𝗬𝗲𝘀” 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱.

12/04/2026

A sacred moment of surrender and intercession

As the Litany of Saints rises, heaven and earth unite in prayer for the newly ordained: Rev. Frs. Sylvester Durowoju, Sylvester Akinwole, and Audu Gideon, in conjunction with Revs. Elias Anthony, Oguntegbe Paul, and Simon Daniel.

May the saints continually intercede for them as they answer God’s call with faith, humility, and total dedication.

12/04/2026

“PRIESTHOOD IS A CALL TO SERVICE, NOT STATUS” — OYO DIOCESE ORDAINS NEW PRIESTS AND DEACONS

- Michael Okeola

The Catholic Diocese of Oyo witnessed a deeply spiritual and historic celebration as Priestly and Diaconate Ordinations were held at St. Stephen Catholic Church, Apaara, Oyo, on April 11, 2026.

The solemn Mass began at 9:47 a.m., presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, alongside numerous priests, deacons, religious, and faithful who gathered to witness and celebrate the sacred moment.

The liturgy commenced with a solemn entrance procession, followed by the Kyrie and a joyful Gloria, as the congregation expressed gratitude to God in songs of praise. The Liturgy of the Word was then proclaimed, setting a reflective tone for the sacred rites that followed.

In a profound and spiritually enriching homily, the Dean of Iseyin Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. Martin Badejo, centered his message on the essence of priesthood as a divine calling rooted in service and sacrifice.

“No one takes this honor upon himself, but only when called by God.”

Drawing inspiration from Christ, particularly His act of washing the feet of His disciples, he emphasized humility as the foundation of true priestly leadership.

“Priesthood is not about status, but about selfless service to God and His people.”

He described the priesthood as both a gift and a mystery—undeserved yet freely given—and one that draws the priest into the very life and mission of Christ. The ordinands were further charged to live as witnesses of the Resurrection, bringing light and hope into a world often marked by darkness.

Addressing contemporary realities, the homilist cautioned against pride, materialism, and the pursuit of popularity, urging the new priests to remain grounded in prayer, discipline, and faithful service. He also stressed the importance of continuous formation and collaboration within the Church, while encouraging closeness to the youth.

Following the homily, the ordination rites commenced with the candidates making their promises of commitment. The Litany of Saints was solemnly chanted, after which the Bishop laid hands on the candidates, signifying apostolic succession, and offered the Prayer of Ordination.

The newly ordained priests were anointed with the Sacred Chrism and presented with bread and wine, symbolizing their role in the Eucharistic sacrifice. They were then welcomed into the priestly fraternity through the Sign of Peace, as joy filled the congregation.

The celebration continued with the Liturgy of the Eucharist, after which the newly ordained led the thanksgiving, offering blessings to the Bishop, clergy, their families, and the faithful.

Speaking after the ordination, Seminarian Augustine Emmanuel described the moment as deeply inspiring.

“This ordination is a profound one for us. It shows us the importance of the priestly life and the diaconate ministry our brothers have received today.”

Also speaking, Rev. Fr. Peter Ojeniyi reflected on the formation and impact of priesthood, noting that authentic preparation begins with personal witness.

“To prepare others for this life, one must first live a life of service. When people see it, they are encouraged to follow God and serve in His vineyard.”

He added that the ordination is a blessing to the Church:

“We are grateful that God has given us new shepherds. It is always a joy to see young people offer their lives in service to God.”

In his closing remarks, Bishop Badejo expressed gratitude to God for the gift of new priests and deacons, congratulating them and their families.

He charged the newly ordained to remain faithful and committed, reminding them that their lives now belong entirely to God. He also delivered a strong message to young people, calling them to embrace integrity and purpose.

“Young people have the capacity to give their lives for something positive—through integrity, honesty, and self-giving, we can change our society.”

The Mass concluded with a final blessing at 2:18 p.m., marking a day filled with grace, joy, and renewal for the Diocese.

The celebration stands as a powerful reminder of the Church’s enduring mission and God’s continual call to raise shepherds after His own heart—men dedicated to service, sacrifice, and the transformation of society.

11/04/2026