By Patience Joseph

Parishioners of St. Louis Catholic Church, Jos Archdiocese, gathered on August 25th to celebrate the feast day of their patron saint, St. Louis, also known as Louis IX of France. The feast marks the life and legacy of the only French king to be canonized, who reigned from 1226 until his death in 1270.

St. Louis is remembered as an ideal Christian king who exemplified the virtues of charity, justice, and deep piety. His devout Christian life serves as a model of living one’s faith through service to others and the pursuit of justice.

The celebration was a reflection of St. Louis’s life, which is a reminder to emulate his acts of love, humility, and service to the poor.

The priest in charge, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Fom, expressed his excitement and welcomed everyone to the celebration. He acknowledged that this was his first time witnessing the St. Louis feast day. In his opening remarks, Fr. Fom prayed that the spirit of St. Louis—characterized by sharing, caring for the poor, and serving others—be imbibed by the parishioners of St. Louis.

Throughout the event, parishioners shared their reflections on the life of St. Louis and how his spirituality has influenced their lives.

Mrs. Victoria Peters, the parish council president, discussed the significance of St. Louis’s motto, “That they may be one.” She emphasized the importance of unity and love, noting that King Louis was a compassionate ruler who cared deeply for the poor. She encouraged those unfamiliar with St. Louis to continue to keep his legacy alive by fostering unity and love, especially towards the less privileged.

The first Chairlady to organize the feast day in honor of St. Louis over ten years ago, Mrs. Juliet Sule, spoke about St. Louis’s humility and generosity. Despite being a king, St. Louis was known for extending kindness to his subjects and attending to their needs even until his death. She urged parishioners to emulate his virtues of kindness, generosity, and humility.

Mrs. Sule also spoke about the foundation of St. Vincent the Poor, an organization established during the tenure of the late Fr. O. Cornell, which was inspired by St. Louis’s spirituality. This foundation, which caters to the needs of the poor, has been emulated by every parish within the Jos Archdiocese and beyond.

Furthermore, Mrs. Patience Adamu, a 1985 alumna of St. Louis, described the day as a memorable one, expressing her gratitude for being alive to celebrate the feast. She highlighted the uniqueness of this year’s celebration and emphasized St. Louis’s spirituality, particularly his humility. Echoing the expression of others, Mrs. Patience encouraged everyone to be humble in all their endeavors.

The celebration was filled with joy, laughter, and lasting memories. The Holy Childhood Association performed, and the Afizere Cultural Group delighted the attendees with a beautiful dance presentation.

Additionally, on August 24th, the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) played a football match against Zumunta Mata. The CWO emerged victorious, winning a gold trophy, while Zumunta Mata was also awarded a gold cup for their participation.