CLARETIANS RETURN TO IGBO-ORA – FR. ADEGOKE’S THANKSGIVING MASS

St Anthony’s, Igbo-Ora, Sunday, August 17, 2025. In gratitude to God for a successful Priestly Ordination on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at the Claret House of Theology, Elerumoke, Ibadan, the Claretian Missionaries returned to the ancient city of Igbo-Ora, precisely, to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, to witness the Priestly Ordination Thanksgiving Mass of Rev. Fr. Anthony Adesola Adegoke, CMF. For the first time, he was the Chief Celebrant.

The Mass began at 10:15am, with a very good number of Claretian confreres present. Notably present were VRFr Augustine Medaiyedu, CMF, the Major Superior of the Claretian Missionaries, Delegation West Nigeria and VRFr Rowland Onuekwusi, CMF, the Prefect of Formation. It is interesting to note that for many years, the Claretians had ministered passionately, audaciously and tirelessly to the Church of St Anthony Igbo-Ora with many adjoining communities forming part of the parish then. One of the earliest Missionaries is the present Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev. Simeon Nwobi, CMF. The occasion, thus, served as a revisit, or rather, a home-coming event, for Claretians like the Major Superior, Fr Medaiyedu and also Fr. Michael Eke, CMF. The event was also graced with the presence of some Traditional Rulers, indigenous Priests of the Parish, as well as some of the Priests who had worked there recently.

Fr. Adegoke is the seventh Priest from the parish, a fact that filled the faithful with joy and gratitude to God. His ordination and return for the thanksgiving were seen as a sign of God’s continued blessings upon the Parish and her people, and, also, for the Claretians. After all, it is a community that was spiritually nurtured by the Claretian Missionaries. Fr Anthony Adegoke, accordingly, is a certifiable result, a ripened fruit, or if you like, a wholly manifest sign, of our labours and missioning in Igbo-Ora.

The Homilist, Rev. Fr. Francis Awotoye, the Judicial Vicar of Ibadan Archdiocese, encouraged the celebrant as well as his classmates – Frs Kingsley Ogbete, CMF and Andrew Falajiki, CMF, who were around – to “be a priest who is a priest.” This means to live by their priestly call. It involves being prayerful, courageous and focused.

The liturgy was filled with vibrant Church music, heartfelt prayers, and expressions of gratefulness typical of our culture. It was not merely a celebration of Fr. Anthony’s priesthood but also a testimony of God’s faithfulness to the community, which continues to yield vocations to the service of the Church.

After the Mass, there was a beautiful reception. The people of the ancient city of Igbo-Ora were indeed glad to welcome their Son, their new Priest and pray that he be imbued with apostolic fortitude and eternal wisdom, a priest close to the hearts of Jesus, Mary, and Padre Claret, the Holy Father Founder of the Claretian Missionaries.