“An Oblate should either die at the pulpit or at the confessional.” That was the phrase Venerable Pio Bruno Lanteri, the founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary (OMV) used to say to his followers when he was alive. In this Extraordinary Year of Mercy, the OMV Formation House, Bodija, in conjunction with St. Anthony’s Parish, Asipa, organized a programme titled: Lanterian Encounter. The programme, which took place on Monday the 23rd of May, 2016, featured lectures on the life of Venerable Lanteri and his witness to God’s mercy. On the course of the lectures, the healing power of the sacrament of confession was emphasised. Some Oblate priests, seminarians, associates members, friends and parishioners of St. Anthony’s Parish graced the event. Brother George Erumetse, an OMV seminarian, encapsulated the life of Venerable Fr. Pio Bruno Lanteri, the founder of the OMV. He narrated to the participants how Lanteri in his epoch preached Retreats and popular missions, offered spiritual direction to people, combated heresies, circulated Catholic books, formed and supported the laity and priestly associations, defended the Church and the Pope, guided people to the truth in love and was never tired at the confessional. Brother Daniel Damisah, also an OMV Seminarian, dwelt more on the popular Latin phrase of Fr. Lanteri, Nunc Coepi (now I begin again), a phrase taken from one of Lanteri’s writings. According to Damisah, “Fr Lanteri used this phrase to denote the readiness to begin again even if one’s past life has not been fruitful.” People should not relent in their spiritual struggle, but should always begin again with renewed vigour each time they fall. He quoted our founder who once wrote: “if a thousand times I should fall, a thousand times should I arise.” Rev. Fr. Victor Nwabweze, OMV, the rector of the OMV Formation House, in his talk titled: The Healing Power of the Sacrament of Confession, said that we must keep in mind that God is always merciful, ever ready to forgive us our sins and take us back as his children. He stressed the fact that sin is ultimately saying NO to God. He compared sin to cancer which grows back to disturb the body if not cut off and well treated at the root. The good news is that in confession, sin, the cancerous element is cut off. He said that the greatest joy we give to God is to allow Him to forgive us. Quoting Pope Francis, Fr. Victor said that “God is never tired of forgiving us but we are the ones tired of asking for God’s forgiveness.” He enumerated the many benefits we gain in going to confession: increase in true self knowledge, bad habits are uprooted, spiritual apathy is prevented, our consciences are purified, and our wills are strengthened. The occasioned which was moderated by Rev. Aloy Ebonine ended with solemn vespers (evening prayer) led by Rev. Stanley Okonkwo, OMV. To God be the glory! Fr. John Idio, OMV