By Olivia Obijiaku
The Provincial Registrar of the Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province, Prof Edward O Uyovbisere and the Diocesan Promoter of the Association, Catholic Diocese of Zaria, Prof Sunday Edagbini have lamented the decline in the membership of the association calling on parents to allow their children join the league of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate heart of Mary on time.
Members of the Diocesan Body were at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish (OLQPP), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Sunday, June 29, 2025, for their Thanksgiving, following their successful Week, including the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday. The theme and subtheme of the Week were ‘I Will Shed Abundant Blessings upon All Their Undertakings,’ and ‘Heart of Mary, Hope of the Agonizing’ respectively.
In an interview with Trinitas Newspaper, the registrar, who is also the President of OLQP Center, attributed the decline to quest for more socially-faced societies and groups within and outside the Church; wrong impression of the youth about the society; and insecurity, as a major factor in the northern part of Nigeria.
“The solemn character of the Sacred Heart Devotion lacks the vigorous energy that some people seek.” The adorer observed. “They are frequently drawn to more social pious societies within and outside the church where visible physical benefits are assured by size of membership – where loud approach to worship is the norm.”
“The young generation feels that the Association is for the aged. Often, they do not consider the fact that these aged parents, uncles and aunties joined the association at their young age. I joined the Association as a devotee in the year 2000, at the Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Center, ABU, Samaru, and got my home Enthroned after six months, as an intending member in the same year, 2000.”
“Declining membership started becoming obvious 10 to 15 years back. Due primarily to religious bigotry that gave rise to intense insecurity in this part of the country. Some members had no other option than to relocate to safer environments. The Church has not recovered sufficiently from the activities of Boko Haram, ISWAP, banditry and herdsmen. These have practically reduced membership of most pious societies within the church.”
Prof Uyovbisere called on parents to introduce their children to the devotion early in life. He intimated that the association has different age groups from the infant Benjamites, to the Tarcisians and then to the Associate members, before being full members. He summed that preparing children early in life, assures membership replacement of the aged and deceased.
Prof Edagbini who addressed parishioners, in company of the Diocesan President of the Association, Evang Donatus Okpe, conveyed that “We are here on behalf of the Diocesan Association to encourage devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary. We are worried that membership in this parish has declined.”
“The Association of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary is one of the few associations that have ecclesiastical approval – it is recognized by the Holy Sea. That is to show you the degree of importance that the Church attaches to it. This devotion is made to the Eucharist – Christ Himself. Jesus made Margret Mary to understand that, despite His love for mankind, mankind has paid Him back with ingratitude by a way of indifference and sacrilege. Basically, it is about returning the world to God.”
“I started this devotion in my 400 level, 32 years ago and I have benefitted so much from it. I want to encourage students to join the society. Even if you are in NFCS, you need to go beyond NFCS, and join at least one pious association in the Church. Devotion to the Sacred Heart is for the family and everybody – from cradle to the grave.”
On the most remarkable experience gained as a devotee of the Two Hearts of Love, the promoter responded, that though the emphasis is not on material gains, Jesus came to give man abundant life, both physically and spiritually.
He specified, “In 2023, on the Feast of the Visitation of Our Blessed Mother, May 31, at about seven in the evening, on my way between Auchi and Afuze, I escaped kidnappers. My car was raided with bullets, but not one touched me. I believe it was because I was actually protected by being within the Shelter of the Sacred Heart. This is in addition to many other favours that I have received from God.”
