Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On this most sacred day, the Church throughout the world lifts her voice in joyful proclamation: Christ is risen. The victory of Our Lord over sin and death is not merely an event of the past, but a living reality that continues to transform the hearts of all who place their trust in Him. The empty tomb stands as the eternal sign that God’s love is stronger than every darkness we face, and that His mercy has the power to renew our lives in ways we could never accomplish on our own.

Easter invites us to contemplate the profound mystery of God’s faithfulness. Through His Passion, Christ entered fully into the suffering of humanity; through His Resurrection, He opened for us the way to new life. In a world often marked by uncertainty, division, and weariness, the Resurrection assures us that hope is not fragile, nor is it fleeting. It is rooted in the very life of God, who never abandons His people. May this truth strengthen you, comfort you, and guide you in the days ahead.

To all who gather with us today—our faithful parishioners, our visitors, and those returning after some time away—please know how welcome you are. The Church is your home, and the Risen Lord desires to walk with you, to heal what is wounded, and to rekindle what may have grown dim. May this Easter celebration be for you a moment of grace, renewal, and deep peace.

Be assured of my prayers for you and for your families. May the joy of the Resurrection fill your hearts and may the blessing of the Risen Christ remain with you throughout this holy season.

In the peace of the Risen Lord,

Father Luke

World Day of Prayer Nigeria, a western African country with a rich heritage and diverse ecosystem, welcomes and leads us for the 2026 prayer service.

All are welcome to join together as we pray and reflect on the theme “I will give you rest: come.”, and learn about Nigeria’s history, culture and concerns. The scripture base is Matthew 11, verses 28-30.

World Day of Prayer is an international, ecumenical movement which enables us to hear the thoughts of women from all parts of the world: their hopes, concerns and prayers.

The preparation for the day is vast; the service begins with the selection of a country and theme several years in advance. Once written, it goes to the WDP International Committee in New York for translation and then dissemination to the National Committee in each participating country.

The service is then discussed and edited by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada before being presented nationally, regionally, and locally for branches to make their plans. Finally, at a church in your community, on or near the first Friday in March, will invite people to gather and celebrate the service prepared by the women of Nigeria.

The World Day of Prayer is celebrated in over 120 countries. On March 6, 2026, it begins in Samoa, and prayer in native languages travels throughout the world—through Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas before finishing in American Samoa some 38 hours later. A worldwide wave of prayer... Some communities will choose a date other than the first Friday of March to host a World Day of Prayer service in order to best suit their worship needs.