FIRST QUINQUENNIUM PROGRAM OF WEST NIGERIA DELEGATION
Ibefun, Nigeria. There was great joy for the young missionaries of West Nigeria Independent Delegation who gathered at the Postulate House in Ibefun, Ijebu-ode diocese, Ogun State, Nigeria from April 30 to May 4, 2018 for their first Quinquennium. An ongoing formation programme meant for missionaries in their first five years of sacerdotal ordinations. Frs. Peter Okonkwo, CMF and Charles Udeh, CMF were the moderators of the one-week programme. The Major Superior, Rev. Fr. Daniel Onyeayana, CMF, celebrated the opening Mass.
The participants had moments of sharing both happy and painful personal missionary experiences in their various apostolates since their ordinations. The moderators who made use of the Bible, the Constitutions and Directory of the Congregation, the Catechism, Vatican II Documents and the Canon Law urged them to be abreast with information from our Claretians and the Vatican websites. Fr. Peter methodically shared with them issues on the Consecrated Life and took the participants through a journey into its fundamentals. He cited Canons 96, 849, 204 among others to help buttress the importance of sharing in the priestly, prophetic and kingly life of Christ. He also made use of the Exhortations of Pope Francis on Consecrated Life to encourage all religious men and women to appreciate their religious calling: Witnesses of Joy, Keep Watch and Rejoice.
The program did not end without admonitions to the brothers on proper community living, making returns, taking their health seriously via regular check-ups, welfare, retirement scheme, annual leave etc. They were enjoined to embrace always ways of improving themselves when the need arises. The participants were grateful to the Delegation for such a programme and for selecting them as participants.
