Update #31: Christ is Risen Alleluia!

SONS OF THE SACRED AND IMMACULATE HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY FOUNDATION

Domus SS. Cordium Jesu et Mariae

Otukpo, L.G.A., Benue State, Nigeria

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“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”

(Et Verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis – Jn. 1:14)

SALUTATION AND APOSTOLIC BLESSING

Grace to you and peace be multiplied from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

To our most beloved Benefactors, Spiritual Collaborators, and all who sustain this work through your generous alms, sacrifices, and prayers:

May the Lord repay you with blessings of sweetness. (Dominus retribuat vobis in benedictionibus dulcedinis.)

From the Office of the Superior General, I wish to share with you some of the abundant mercies God has poured upon our young Foundation.

“What shall I render to the Lord for all the good He has done for me?” (Quid retribuam Domino pro omnibus quae retribuit mihi? – Ps. 115:12)

Your hands have truly been the hands of Christ to us. (Qui vos recipit me recipit – Mt. 10:40)

Be assured that we remember you unceasingly in our prayers. (Memores sumus vestri in orationibus nostris sine intermissione – 1 Thess. 1:2)

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THE SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM 2026

“Christ became obedient for us unto death, even death on a cross.” (Phil. 2:8)

By God’s Providence, the Sacred Paschal Triduum began on Wednesday, 2 April 2026, at Our Lady Queen of Angels Chapel, Makurdi, Benue State. Nearly two thousand lay faithful from many communities joined us with deep devotion.

Arrival of the Faithful

On Tuesday 1 April, all our houses in the Makurdi area welcomed the faithful for the Triduum: the Major Seminary (Philosophy) at Gbem, the Major Seminary (Theology) at Makurdi, our Sisters from their convents, together with many tertiaries and friends.

“Where charity and love are, there is God.” (Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.)

Holy Thursday – Feria V in Cena Domini

We began with the Office of Tenebrae at 7:00 a.m. Fifteen candles on the hearse were gradually extinguished, symbolising Our Lord’s abandonment. The loud strepitus at the end recalled the earthquake at His death.

“Attend and see if there is any sorrow like My sorrow.” (Attendite et videte si est dolor sicut dolor meus – Lam. 1:12)

Sext was sung at 1:15 p.m. so the whole day might be sanctified.

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper followed at 6:00 p.m. After the Gloria, the bells fell silent until the Easter Vigil. The Superior washed the feet of twelve seminarians, and the Blessed Sacrament was carried in solemn procession to the Altar of Repose. The altars were then stripped.

Adoration continued throughout the night by roster. Your names, dear Benefactors, were placed before the Tabernacle.

“Watch and pray.” (Vigilate et orate – Mt. 26:41)

Good Friday – Feria VI in Parasceve

After Tenebrae we made the Stations of the Cross publicly, using meditations from the Holy Fathers and St. Alphonsus Liguori.

At 3:00 p.m. the Liturgy of the Passion took place at Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel. The Solemn Orations were offered for the Church, the Pope, all ranks in the Church, and for our benefactors. Everyone venerated the Holy Cross barefoot. The faithful received Holy Communion from the pre-sanctified hosts.

“Behold the wood of the Cross.” (Ecce lignum Crucis.)

Holy Saturday – Sabbato Sancto

The final Tenebrae was chanted at 7:00 a.m. At 10:00 p.m. the Easter Vigil began with new fire, the blessing of the Paschal Candle, the Exsultet, the prophecies, the blessing of the font, and the triumphant Gloria. Bells rang out, veils were removed, and joy filled the church.

“This is the night!” (Haec nox est.)

Easter Sunday

After solemn Lauds and Holy Mass, the faithful returned home rejoicing.

“Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia!” (Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia.)

Fruits of the Sacraments

The Triduum bore abundant fruit:

- Nearly 50 children and adults were baptised.

- 20 faithful received their First Holy Communion.

- 7 couples were joined in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

All received thorough instruction in the Catechism so they might “give a reason for the hope that is in them.”

We thank Fr. Servus who celebrated the rites according to the ancient Roman Rite, the seminarians who served, and the Sisters whose beautiful chant and hidden work gave such dignity and piety to everything.

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STUDIES AND FORMATION

“Knowledge puffs up, but charity builds up.” (1 Cor. 8:1)

On 16 April 2025, six of our members (three seminarians and three Sisters) sat for the JAMB examination. By God’s grace all passed excellently. Five matriculated at Benue State University on 22 April 2026.

This year eleven more candidates from our Foundation sat for JAMB and performed very well. They will begin studies by November 2026.

At present we have seventeen candidates in formation to become future priests, brothers, and sisters for the salvation of souls.

“The salvation of souls is the supreme law.” (Salus animarum suprema lex.)

Why Civil Certification Is Necessary

In this country, civil authorities recognise certificates, not sanctity. Without government-approved qualifications, we cannot legally open schools, hospitals, or homes for the elderly. We therefore follow Our Lord’s command: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Mk. 12:17), while using these means to build Christ’s Kingdom.

A Brother with a teaching certificate can run a truly Catholic school centred on the Traditional Latin Mass. A Sister with a nursing licence can ensure the dying receive the Last Rites. This is not compromise — it is prudence.

“Be wise as serpents…” (Mt. 10:16) yet “Do not be conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:2).

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YOUR CONTINUED HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED

“Give and it shall be given to you.” (Lk. 6:38)

“God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:7)

Dear Benefactors, we have no endowments, no investments, no regular funding. We are pauperes Christi — the poor of Christ.

The recent Triduum required bread, wine, candles and vestments. Our seventeen candidates in formation need food, clothing and books. The eleven new university students need fees and lodging. Our chapels need repairs and our small infirmary needs medicine.

Your alms form priests, build schools where the Creed is taught, establish clinics where the Sacraments are administered, and keep the Traditional Mass alive. Modernism has wealthy backers; Tradition must beg.

At every Holy Mass a Memento is made for you. Every First Friday the Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart is offered for you. The Sisters and Seminarians pray the Rosary and Divine Office daily for your intentions.

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THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS

By helping this work you become part of it. All benefactors are inscribed in the Liber Benefactorum kept upon the Altar of Our Lady Queen of Angels. You are remembered at every Mass. At death, special prayers and three Rosaries are offered for you. On 22 November a Solemn Requiem is sung for all deceased benefactors.

The need is great and the workers are few. Yet one Traditional Mass has brought entire villages to the Faith. Your gifts buy Catechisms, support seminarians, and lay the foundations of future schools where Christ will reign.

When God grants us land, we will erect a Cenotaph of Benefactors inscribed: “THEY HELPED US IN THE DAY OF TRIBULATION.”

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SPECIAL Reminder: JOIN FR. ABAH’S PENTECOST NOVENA OF TRADITIONAL LATIN MASSES

Fr. Abah Onuh Samuel will be offering the Novena of Traditional Latin Masses beginning on Pentecost Sunday, 24 May 2026 (which also falls on the Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians). This is a powerful opportunity to have your intentions, living and deceased loved ones, and special needs placed on the altar during nine consecutive Traditional Masses. Deadline to join is Monday, 18 May 2026 (tomorrow!). To enroll names and intentions, please visit: https://massconversions.substack.com/p/join-a-novena-of-traditional-latin-a23 and follow the simple reply form. Mass stipends are gratefully received and directly support our priests.

CONCLUSION AND BLESSING

I commend you all to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. May Our Lady, Help of Christians, protect you, and St. Joseph, Terror of Demons, defend you.

Pray that we may be “like lamps burning” for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

Given at the Secretariat, 23 April A.D. 2026

In Christo Rege et Maria Regina,

Servus Servorum SS. Cordium

DOM ABAH ONUH SAMUEL, SSIH

Superior General

Sons of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary Foundation