Rev. Fr Charles Mary Eke of the Capuchin Friar, Olunde, Ibadan has urged the faithful to commune with God in a special way, instead of offering radical prayers.

Fr Charles was speaking at a retreat and the theme of the event was “Catholic Women: Carriers of Living Water for a world thirsty for peace.”

Drawing from the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, Fr Charles said that for women to be able to bring about peace in the world, they should be prayerful and be united.

The three-day Lenten retreat of the Ibadan Provincial Catholic Women Organisation (IPCWO), 9-11 March, featured Mass, talks and penitential service.

 Fr Charles had earlier, 9 March, urged all the participants to maintain absolute silence during the period for “retreat is a time when we allow Jesus to come to us. When we encounter Christ, we would change the world.”

Citing Mother Theresa of Calcutta, St Monica and the Samaritan woman, the priest said that the character of a woman “starts from home through prayer which shows that she has faith.”

He advised the women to bring about positive changes in the archdiocese as well as in the parishes and their homes. “Wherever you go you must carry peace along with you,” he said.

-CECILIA  OLAYIWOLA