The church in Nigeria celebrates the Holy Childhood National Day annually on a Sunday closest to the Feast of Presentation of the Lord. The celebration for 2022 took place on 30th January. The Theme of the celebration is “you shall be my witnesses” (Acts1:8). It is a special day dedicated to all children to re-awaken their missionary spirit and create more awareness about the Holy Childhood Association.
The day was well celebrated all Dioceses across the country. The Children in Most Parishes in Nigeria participated actively at Mass through singing parts of the Mass, reading and special presentations at Mass. Collections were also taken in favour of the Universal solidarity fund of Pontifical Mission Society of the Holy Childhood Association.
At the National Secretariat of PMS in Nigeria, the National Director, Rev.Fr. Solomon Zaku presided over the 9:am Mass at St. Gabriel Chaplaincy, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, where he admonished the Children to be witnesses to Christ and one another in proclaiming the Goodnews, he further noted that HCA enables the children to know Jesus, love Jesus and know about the situation other children in the whole World. Fr. Zaku stated that the Holy childhood has dual mandate: Prayer and Sacrifice (Spiritual and Material). Members of the Holy childhood are expected to pray daily, for the children of the whole world and also make sacrifices for the comfort of other Children through their mission bank . He further encouraged the Parents to allow their children participate actively in the activities of the Holy Childhood Association so that they may grow in the knowledge of Christ and His Church.
There was an evening session during which the children had Mission Rosary Procession. The theme of the celebration was explained to the children. by the children by Mr. Peter Adubi, National Coordinator, Young Missionary Movement of Nigeria (YOMM). He admonished the Children to be fervent in prayers and be true witnesses of Jesus Christ. He explained to them practical ways to be witnesses of Christ.
