Catholic Secretariat Retreat Opens With Call To Renewal, Unity and Hope
In a time when faith-based institutions are being challenged to renew their spiritual foundations, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has turned inward, beginning its 2026 retreat with a strong emphasis on prayer, reflection and unity.
The spiritual retreat of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, alongside other agencies of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, commenced on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, in an atmosphere of reverence and deep spiritual expectation.
The retreat is themed “Lessons from the Jubilee Year of Hope: Application of Dilexit Te in the CSN” and is being directed by the Bishop of Katsina Diocese, Most Rev. Gerald Musa.
The day opened with the solemn celebration of Lauds, as participants committed the retreat into God’s hands, praying for renewal, grace and open hearts.
In his first retreat talk, Bishop Musa stressed that authentic service in the Church must be rooted in a personal encounter with God, warning that without intentional prayer and withdrawal, spiritual life becomes weakened.
Reflecting on God’s immeasurable love, the Bishop challenged participants to examine their commitment, humility and gratitude, noting that seeking God in the wrong places leads to spiritual dryness.
He urged sincere devotion through prayer, the sacraments and disciplined spiritual life.
Moments of quiet reflection, thanksgiving through songs, penitential prayers, Eucharistic Exposition, the Holy Rosary and Benediction deepened the spiritual experience, culminating in the celebration of the Holy Mass, the high point of the day.
In the afternoon session, Bishop Musa addressed practical workplace challenges, cautioning against unhealthy competition among departments.
He called for collaboration, unity and Christ-centred service, reminding participants not to lose sight of the Lord of the work while serving in His vineyard.
The day ended with interactive sessions that allowed participants to reflect on the teachings and explore ways of applying them within their offices and ministries, setting a spiritually solid foundation for the days ahead.
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