According to a recent announcement from the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, the 2026 Mother’s Day celebration, earlier proposed to take place on March 29 in line with the directive for it to be observed on the Sunday following the Solemnity of the Annunciation, has been shifted to April 19. This change is due to March 29 coinciding with Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday)
The Secretary General, Rev. Fr. Michael A. Banjo, communicated this message following the directive from the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji. The letter explained that the solemn and penitential character of Passion Sunday would not be liturgically fitting to observe Mother’s Day, the same with the following Sundays, April 5, 2026, which is Easter Sunday, the Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord, and April 12, which is Divine Mercy Sunday.
The letter highlighted that “both celebrations, by reason of their particular liturgical character, should retain their exclusive focus.”
As a result, it was advised that this year’s Mother’s Day celebration be marked on April 19, uniformly across the nation.
