Third Sunday of Lent
Sunday 19th March

NIGERIA: Voices of Suffering and Hope

In Nigeria, Islamist terror group Boko Haram ─ which roughly translates as ‘Western Education is Forbidden’ ─ is committed to wiping out Christianity.

Their terror campaign against the ‘establishment’ has created instability and a climate of fear. In north-east Nigeria over 5,000 faithful have been killed, 100,000 displaced, 7,000 women widowed and 10,000 children orphaned.

Using forced marriage and conversion to attack Christianity, in 2014, 276 Chibok schoolgirls – mainly Christian – were kidnapped. Many were forced to marry, convert and raise children born from rape as Muslims. Despite worldwide pressure, only now are some girls being released.

Victoria Youhanna, her mother and brothers were snatched with 400 others and marched to Kukawa.

Once there, Christians were herded together. Men refusing to join Boko Haram were killed and women given the choice between conversion or death. Victoria was selected for marriage.

She recalls that one evening, most of the fighters left to kidnap more young men and some of the women said they should try and escape. They left quietly, going in different directions to make it harder for them to recapture them.

“It was God himself who saw us through. He guided us all through the night.”

They walked for seven hours and were eventually found by government troops.

In 2015, as ACN’s guest, Victoria gave evidence on her ordeal at the House of Lords.

Aid to the Church in Need is very supportive of the Church in Nigeria, helping to care for the huge numbers of people who are now homeless and giving hope by rebuilding Churches and buildings – the hub of the Christian community.

Your parish fundraising for SURVIVAL PACKS could also help displaced Christians in Nigeria

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Nigeria: Radical Islam and a search for dialogue

PRAYER MATERIAL
Third Sunday of Lent, Sunday 19th March

This Lent, please pray for the Church in Nigeria, that Christians gain hope and comfort from our prayers and support; that more of the Chibok schoolgirls will be released and that peace may be found through dialogue. #DontGiveUpOnThem 

Prayer

Blessed Mary, Queen of Nigeria, we implore you to advocate a New Pentecost through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon this great nation of Nigeria. *1

We pray for the safety of the young girls kidnapped in Nigeria
Lord Jesus, Saviour of the world, save them

We pray for all those suffering under Boko Haram’s campaign of terror in Nigeria
Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, save them

We pray for healing and hope for those whose loved ones have been slaughtered
Lord Jesus, the Comforter, save them

We pray for Chibok schoolgirls
Lord Jesus the Good Shepherd, save them

We pray for those who have been made homeless in Nigeria
Lord God Father of all, save them

We pray for an end to the attacks on Churches and God’s help for those who defend them
Father, Creator and Sustainer, save them.

May the Catholic Church in Africa always be one of the spiritual lungs of humanity, and become daily an ever greater blessing for the noble African continent and for the entire world.

We give you thanks for:
the witness of Victoria Youhanna
for guiding Victoria through the night when  she escaped Boko Haram
the 25 million faithful Catholics in Nigeria
ACN’s beneficiaries who support the Church in Nigeria
those who care for the homeless and rebuild the Churches
Nigerian priests who serve in parishes all over the world
May the Catholic Church in Africa always be one of the spiritual lungs of humanity, and become daily an ever greater blessing for the noble African continent and for the entire world.*2
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

1. Adapted from the message of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria to the nation at her Golden Jubilee of Independence (September 17, 2010) 
2. AFRICAE MUNUS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI Given at Ouidah, in Benin, on 19TH November, 2011.

Reading

Taken from Psalm 119

Response: I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.

Let thy steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
thy salvation according to thy promise;
then shall I have an answer for those who taunt me,
for I trust in thy word.

Response: I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.

I will keep thy law continually,
for ever and ever;  and I shall walk at liberty,
for I have sought thy precepts.

I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings,
and shall not be put to shame;

for I find my delight in thy commandments,
which I love.  I revere thy commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on thy statutes.

Response: I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.

Oh, how I love thy law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Thy commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for thy testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
for I keep thy precepts.

Response: I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.

I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep thy word.
I do not turn aside from thy ordinances,
for thou hast taught me.

How sweet are thy words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through thy precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.

Response: I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.

Meditation

Lent is a good time to ask ourselves how we respond to the suffering of God’s children in the world. When we hear about the horrific situation in Nigeria, how do I respond?

Consider
Do I give small donation to charity and hope the problem goes away?
Do I blame God for the suffering in the world and rail at him for allowing it?
Do I get upset and try to push it to the back of my mind?
Do I resolve to ‘do more’, but not really know what to do and then feel bad?
Do I feel annoyed with God because following him is so difficult?
Do I feel guilty for focusing on my own problems when there are people worse off?
Does the thought of helping “the last of these” frighten me?
Do I doubt God’s existence in the face of such suffering?

God’s love always brings about greater freedom.  Paralyzing  guilt and fear are not from God. God wants us to choose love freely and to live out our Christian calling with joy rather than a heavy-heart and with hope, not fear. The Catechism tells us that: “The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to “the slavery of sin.”(1733)

May we give alms with joy, give our imperfect attitudes to God and allow him to lead us to true love, service and freedom.