The 2026 Catholic Archdiocesan Feast day celebration for Lectors was a day of faith, fellowship and celebration as over 5,000 lectors from across the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos converged at the Church of the Ascension Airport Road, Ikeja on Saturday, July 4
The event, which brought together men, women and children united in the ministry of proclaiming God’s word, began with a solemn Mass at 10:10 a.m.
In his homily, the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins described lectors as “soldiers of Christ” commissioned to be faithful custodians and heralds of God’s word.
“As I look at you, I see people chosen by God to proclaim His word before the assembly of the faithful,” the Archbishop stressed that Lectors should be “grateful for that call. It is not merely your own choice, but a response to God who has called you.”
Marking the solemnity of the patron saints of lectors, Saints Peter and Paul Archbishop Martins reminded the proclaimers that their role extends beyond the altar.
“As lectors, you bring God’s word not only to those gathered at Mass, but also to the people you encounter daily,” he urged lectors to follow the example of Saints Peter and Paul, who as leaders brought Christ to the apostles and to all the people of God.
Referencing Nehemiah 8, where Ezra the priest read the Book of the Law of Moses for the restoration of God’s people, the Archbishop emphasized the sacred nature of the ministry.
“The role of a lector is of such great value,” he stated. “Carrying out your duties according to God’s will not only enriches those who listen, it is also God asking you to share in the burden of bringing Jesus to the ends of the earth. Being a lector is a ministerial role, not like any other regular role in the Church.”
Lectors Celebrate Faith and Fellowship
The Mass was followed by a lively reception anchored by the dynamic MCs, Luwy and Kenny. There was music, refreshments, and varieties of food and drinks for lectors who came from different deaneries across the Archdiocese.
The highlight of the celebration was the drama competition. Deaneries including Ijanikin, Ikorodu, Ikeja, Surulere and others dramatized scenes from the life of Jesus, with one deanery emerging as winner to the applause of the gathering.
The atmosphere was one of joy and unity, as lectors renewed their commitment to the ministry and to one another.
In the Catholic Church, a “Lector” is a lay minister officially instituted to proclaim the readings of Sacred Scripture during Mass and other liturgical celebrations, except the Gospel. The lector prepares the readings, proclaims the Word of God with clarity and reverence, and helps the faithful to encounter Christ who speaks through Scripture.
The ministry is considered a public office of service to the Word. Lectors are expected to live lives consistent with the Gospel they proclaim, through prayer, study of Scripture, and Christian witness in their homes and communities.
The patron saints of lectors are Saints Peter and Paul. The Church honors them together on June 29. Peter, the rock on whom Christ built His Church, and Paul, the great missionary and teacher of the nations, are models of courage, fidelity, and zeal in spreading the Word of God -the very virtues every lector is called to imitate.
As the 2026 Feast Day came to a close, the message was clear: lectors are not just readers, but messengers. Through their voices, God’s word continues to minister, to nourish, to convert, and to bring Christ to the world.
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