Claret House of Theology, Ibadan, September 09, 2026. It was on a Wednesday that the Delegation West Nigeria held a Workshop for her students after their annual COMMUNITY LIVING programme which brings together all those in various scholasticates for a special bonding activity filled with spiritual and social exercises. This unique yearly programme is meant to inculcate the spirit and letter of the essence of our Claretian Religious Life, the Community.
This year’s workshop was moderated by Revd Fr. Edward Kwagtsule, CMF. The theme of the workshop was “Consolidating Claretian Community Living,” which was drawn from the resolutions of the last Delegation Assembly. The moderator explained that the primary objective of the workshop was to strengthen community life and address the challenges of individualism and animosity that unfortunately exist in contemporary religious communities.
The students were given the opportunity to share their personal experiences with both Claretian and Diocesan Priests with whom they had worked during their summer apostolic engagements. Some observations from the student participants were highly instructive. Each experience different with its own lessons. However, most students testified to having experienced better community life in some Claretian communities than in diocesan settings. It was also observed that the quality of community life largely depends on the maturity, disposition and commitment of each individual member.
In conclusion, Fr. Edward admonished the participants to work on themselves, cultivate healthy relationships, and avoid repeating or imitating negative examples observed among the finally professed members. He encouraged everyone to contribute positively to the growth, unity, and harmony of the Claretian communities.