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On Monday, July 23, Monsignor Ocariz visited the main campus of the Pan-Atlantic University. The first activity was the blessing of a new grotto of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The Prelate encouraged all those present at the brief ceremony to have great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to present to her all their needs.
Following a brief tour of the university, the Prelate met with the senior leadership of the school. The Prelate spoke to them using the analogy of an ice-capped mountain. When the sun appears, the ice melts and waters the valleys below.
This is why, he said, it is important to provide adequate formation to those who occupy high positions in society, business and government. When people are formed humanly, professionally and spiritually, when they are taught to be concerned about the problems of society, it affects all aspects of their lives. They learn to contribute to the common good.
He added that while a project like the Pan-Atlantic University is inspired by the Christian conception of man’s dignity, the formation given there should respect the everyone's freedom.
He spoke about how best to educate people in freedom. Teachers should help those they educate do everything inspired by love, because only love can surmount the most difficult situations. He explained further that freedom is not the absence of constraints, nor of limitations and is not the ability to do whatever one feels like doing. True freedom is about choosing what is objectively true and good.
The Prelate's next port of call was the Iroto Conference Centre, Iloti, in Ogun State (43km from the university). Many people from Iloti and neighbouring villages came to the streets to welcome him, dancing and singing to the tune of Ekabo (Yoruba for “welcome”). On his arrival, he went to pray briefly before the statue of Our Lady in the garden of the conference center.There was more singing and dancing as he went into the conference center building.
He began by reminding all those present that serving and helping others brings joy to everyone. He advised teachers to be true friends of their students despite age differences. He encouraged people to develop deep friendships and to be truly concerned about the good of others.
In response to a question about the meaning of suffering, the Prelate said that salvation was wrought through the Cross and that it is a mystery that we do not fully understand. “One can find peace, even in the midst of sufferings, when one unites them to Christ’s Cross,” he said.
Several people present recounted interesting and funny family events and asked him to pray for their families and friends.The short get-together was livened with a folk song for warriors sang to the accompaniment of some local drums.
At the end of the get together, and before blessing those present, Monsignor Ocariz reminded everyone to pray for the Pope. He was asked to return to Nigeria soon and was seen off with more Nigerian songs and instruments, thus ending the visit on the same vibrant and festive note with which it began.
The auditorium of Lagoon School, in Lekki, Lagos, in southwestern Nigeria, was the venue of a get-together on Sunday, July 22. Undergraduates, schoolgirls and friends were visibly excited to meet with the Prelate and speak to him. They welcomed him heartily, asked questions and even made requests for new centers to begin in other states in Nigeria.
The Prelate emphasized the centrality of the person of Christ: He encouraged the audience to realize that they are not just following a beautiful doctrine or a theory but a Person, who is very close to them in the Holy Eucharist. “A Christian’s life is one of love—loving Our Lord and identifying our lives with His. And how does one come to love Christ? By getting to know him. By meditating on the Scriptures, entering into the scenes of the Gospel, and taking the plan of life seriously, one can love Christ and keep alive a relationship with him.”
When asked what he expected of students who attend the means of formation in centers of Opus Dei, the Prelate said, “Apostolate is a necessity. It’s necessary because the desire to help others meet Christ stems from love of God and the joy of being children of God. Joy is attractive, and that is why we fulfill the apostolic command of Christ with a lot of cheerfulness, affection and good example while also respecting the freedom of others.”
The Prelate took the opportunity to talk about the importance of mortification. “Life might seem mortifying enough on its own. But actively seeking to unite oneself to Christ’s cross through little mortifications is of great value in a Christian's life,” he said.
He advised them to have a lot of fortitude because a constant relationship with Christ is demanding. On the question of vocational discernment, he urged the audience not to be afraid, but to take courage if a person sensed that God was asking her for more, realizing that God does a great favor to the person who corresponds to His call.
Monsignor Ocáriz, the third successor of Saint Josemaria, ended by asking all present to pray a lot for the Pope: "The Holy Father relies a lot on the prayers of everyone.” The young people gave their joyful assent with the lyrics “You can count on me like one, two, three, and I’ll be there,” the chorus of a popular song by Bruno Mars.
People came from cities and towns from west to east and central Nigeria: Lagos, Ibadan, Iloti, Nsukka, Enugu, Benin and Abuja. Between the two main events of the day in Lagos, the Prelate was able to greet more than 1,000 people.
At the Lagoon School, Monsignor Ocáriz, reflecting on the Gospel of the day, commented on the Pharisees’ disapproval of Jesus healing on the Sabbath day. He compared this to the difficulties we experience daily. He encouraged the faithful to spread the Gospel and increase their confidence in God despite these challenges.
Recalling Pope Francis’ words about faith making us see as Christ does, the Prelate stressed the need for us to center our lives on knowing Christ who is present in the Eucharist. He urged everyone to ask the Lord to help them see their lives as God does. He emphasized the need for fraternity shown in serving, understanding, forgiving and valuing others.
He went on to say that apostolate is not merely human but also supernatural: it is not so much about increasing the number of people as about helping them to know and love God better.
Responding to a question on the vocation of one’s children, he advised parents to trust in God. “Prayer, maturity and spiritual direction are crucial for discerning a vocation,” he said.
When asked how domestic work should be viewed, Monsignor Ocáriz explained that Opus Dei teaches sanctification in ordinary life both within and outside the home. The ambiance, beauty and orderliness in the home facilitates affection and development. “It makes a lasting impression on people,” he said, adding that, “domestic work is the backbone of the family atmosphere in Opus Dei.”
On the question of emigrating from Nigeria due to economic difficulties, the Prelate pointed out that every country has its challenges. He said that although emigrating may not always be the best option, sometimes it is. But he advised the audience to improve themselves professionally and work for the common good.
Speaking on the role of cooperators in Opus Dei, the Prelate said cooperators support the Work with their prayers, time and financial contributions. He encouraged cooperators to work with the faithful of the prelature to support Opus Dei as their personal circumstances and time permit. In the afternoon, Monsignor Ocáriz went to the Lagos Business School. He was received there by the entire management board of the school led by the dean, Dr. Enase Okonedo. He met briefly with them and several members of staff before proceeding to a meeting with more than 400 young people who had come from different parts of the country.
This latter meeting took place at the business school's auditorium. The Prelate encouraged those present to be dedicated to the means of Christian formation, which helps them get closer to God. “Christ is the focus and person you receive through the meditations, talks and other means of formation,” he said.
He also spoke about living virtuous lives amid a decline in morals and sexuality. “Don’t be surprised when you’re tempted; and when you fall, the solution is to rise and begin again,” he said.
Monsignor Ocáriz ended his time at both gatherings asking all to pray for the Pope and the growth of Opus Dei in Nigeria.
The Prelate was later able to receive some families that wanted to greet him. Some came from far away cities like Benin. At the end he gave his blessings, asking them at the same time to remember him in their prayers.
Monsignor Ocáriz expressed on many occasions his happiness at being in Nigeria, saying how much he had longed to come. He described Nigeria as a country with great potential, saying that its most important resource is its more than 170 million people.
The many Nigerians he met shared their stories and expressed their joy at welcoming him to Nigeria. Monsignor Ocáriz encouraged them to remain as friendly as they are, and to love very much the freedom of other people. An important expression of this love for freedom, he said, is the need to listen actively to other people.
The Prelate encouraged those who occupy positions of authority to remember that authority is service. Therefore, those who are in charge of others should not be afraid or ashamed to ask for forgiveness when they make mistakes. Asking forgiveness does not undermine, but rather strengthens their authority, he said.
The Prelate’s words about vocation were particularly poignant in a country that is half Christian and half Muslim. He said that everybody has a vocation, including non-Catholic Christians as well as Muslims. As God does not abandon anyone, the question people should ask themselves is not whether they have a vocation, but rather what is God asking of them.
The apostolic work of Opus Dei began in Nigeria in 1965. Bishop Javier Echevarría, Monsignor Ocáriz's predecessor as Prelate, had visited Nigeria in 1999.