By TWE Newsdesk

The Catholic Archdiocese of Jos was thrown into deep mourning as family members, lay faithful, priests and religious gathered for the wake-keep Mass of Rev. Fr. Patrick Polit, who died in his prime on 14November, 2025, after a prolonged illness that required chemotherapy and multiple blood transfusions generously donated by his brother priests.

The Wake Keep Mass, celebrated by the Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Matthew Ishaya Audu, on 10 December, came at a time the Archdiocese is grieving the loss of four priests in 2025—an unprecedented tragedy last experienced in 2004. The late Fr. Polit served closely with the Archbishop and doubled as the Assistant Education Secretary of the Archdiocese.

Preaching during the combined wake-keep Mass for Rev. Fr. Patrick Polit and Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Choji, the homilist, Rev. Fr. Richard Dilli, Parish Priest of Church of the Nativity, Kangang, said he had maintained close personal and pastoral ties with both deceased priests. He was a student of Fr. Choji at St. John Vianney Minor Seminary, Barkin Ladi, and was among the priests who regularly took turns caring for Fr. Polit during his hospitalization at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

The wake-keep Mass for both priests was held jointly because flight cancellations and other logistical challenges made it impossible for Fr. Choji’s body to arrive on time for burial from Canada where died during a medical trip.

In an emotion-laden voice, often breaking into sobs, Fr. Dilli drew from 1 Thessalonians 5:18, urging the faithful to give thanks to God in all circumstances. He thanked God for the gift of Fr. Polit to the Church and humanity, referencing Job 1:21: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

He prayed that through the sacrifice of the Mass, the sins of the deceased might be wiped away.

Turning to the Archbishop, the homilist said:

“Your Grace, I do not know what words can comfort you over these losses. We call you our Chief Shepherd, and rightly so—yet today, you stand more like a Chief Mourner. May the Lord comfort you.”

A Father Losing Four Sons in One Year

Fr. Dilli lamented that in 2025 alone, the Archdiocese lost four priests:

Fr. Matthew Sukada, Assistant Dean of the Archdiocese

Fr. Polycarp Lubu, Plateau State CAN Chairman

Fr. Joseph Choji, Dean of the Archdiocese

Fr. Patrick Polit, Assistant Education Secretary of the Archdiocese and Priest in Charge of St, Mattias, Gasen Kuru.

He described their deaths as monumental losses, noting that history last repeated itself in 2004 when the Archdiocese witnessed similar tragedies.

“Anyone with empathy understands what it means for a father to lose four children in one year,” he said, adding that such moments make people question the existence of God. Yet, he urged the faithful to draw consolation from Christ’s promise: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Quoting Psalm 34:18, he reminded the Church that “the Lord is close to the broken-hearted.”

A Priest Loved Deeply by His Brothers

The homilist emphasized that money and medical expertise could not stop death when God permits it.

“Much was done for Fr. Polit medically and financially, but God has the final say,” he said.

He recalled a particular day at the hospital when several priests, unplanned, arrived one after another to visit and anoint him:

“Fr. Emmanuel Bichi came, then Fr. Moses Gyang, then Very Rev. Fr. Pam. We did not plan to meet there. That day, he was anointed countless times.”

He thanked the priests of the Archdiocese for their solidarity, especially the initiative coordinated by Fr. Matthew Danboyi, which ensured that deaneries took turns visiting him at JUTH. He commended Fr. Benjamin Nyam for his patience and resilience and lauded the dedication of Very Rev. Fr.Godfrey Gopep, who coordinated activities at the hospital.

He advocated that Jos Archdiocese replicate the Pankshin Diocese model of appointing a priest to oversee the health and welfare of priests.

A Life That Touched Many

Fr. Dilli described Fr. Polit as uniquely gifted, saying he could be succeeded but never replaced.

He extended condolences to priests, religious, laity, and the 2013 class of St. Augustine’s Major Seminary Alumni Association, of which Fr. Polit was the first to pass on.

He noted that Fr. Polit lived a disciplined life, never indulgent in alcohol, physically active and known as an energetic footballer who could play “from morning till night.” Despite this, he reminded the faithful that life is ultimately in God’s hands.

To illustrate the limits of human effort in prolonging life, he cited the stories of Michael Jackson and Alexander the Great—both of whom, despite extensive medical support and resources, could not escape death.

“While I do not promote careless living,” he said, “I emphasize that when your time comes, nothing, exercise, diet, medication—can stop it.”

The Final Message

Fr. Dilli urged priests to uphold the legacy Fr. Polit left behind by speaking truth to power, living for others, remain steadfast as Christianity faces attacks, and condemn evil even when it does not affect you directly.

He concluded with a sobering reminder:“The message is loud and clear: I can be the next; the next can be you. In the very seat you are sitting, Fr. Polit once sat.”

Just two months ago, Fr. Polit had chanted the Gospel during the wake-keep Mass of late Catechist Okonkwo. Today, the Archdiocese chants farewell to him.