Ibadan, Nigeria – Sunday, September 08, 2024: The First and Final Professions of the Claretian Missionaries, Delegations of West Nigeria and Cameroon were held at the Claret House of Theology Chapel, Elerumoke-Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, on Sunday, the 8th of September, 2024. The day happened to be the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Nine Novices from the Independent Delegation of West Nigeria had their First Religious Profession/Vows. They include:
- ITODO Cyprian C.M.F
- IJI Ocha Michael C.M.F
- EZE Vitalis Ifeayi C.M.F
- IKEMEFUNA Anthony C.M.F
- ONYEKA Richard Ezenwa C.M.F
- IFFEKWE Collins Chibuike C.M.F
- GIDEON Emmanuel Eneojo C.M.F
- UCHENNA David Ugochukwu C.M.F
- AYEGBA Peter-Mary Emmanuel C.M.F
Also, five Claretian Theology Students from two different Organisms made their Final Religious Profession, in other words, took their Perpetual Vows, namely:
- ADEGOKE Adesola Anthony CMF, (West Nigeria)
- FALAJIKI Oluwabusayo Andrew CMF, (West Nigeria)
- OGBETE Chukwuebuka Kingsley CMF, (West Nigeria)
- LIMALEBA Hugues Rostan CMF, (Cameroon)
- NGWAME Victory CMF, (Cameroon)
The Holy Mass, within which the events were enacted, commenced at 10:00 am led by the Major Superior of the Independent Delegation of West Nigeria, VR Fr. Augustine Medaiyedu CMF, with ten other co-celebrants amongst whom was the Vicar for the Religious, Ibadan Archdiocese, VR Fr. Wilfried Kouijzer, SMA. The homilist of the day was VR Fr. Michael Eke, CMF, whose sermon centered on living the life of simplicity and piety.
Among many Priests and Religious who witnessed the Professions of our candidates were the Prefect of Apostolate, VR Fr. Innocent Daniel, CMF and the Prefect of Formation, VR Fr. Rowland Onuekwusi. CMF (both of West Nigeria). They flanked the Major Superior during the reception of the Vows.
The Mass ended at exactly 12:18 pm followed by a general reception after some group photographs.
It is important to note that prior to the First and Final Professions, those who took their First Vows had their one-year Canonical Novitiate experience at the Heart of Mary Novitiate, Utonkon, Benue State, Nigeria, while those who took the Perpetual Vows had their two-months Second Novitiate experience (Tertianship) at the famous Institute of Consecrated Life in Africa (InCLA), Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.
We remain grateful to God for the success of these great events while continually asking for the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Foundress of the Claretian Congregation, to grant the professed the grace to be truly committed Missionaries in the footsteps of our Holy Father Founder, Padre Anthony Mary Claret, in the service of God and humanity, using all means possible.
