On this Day 3 of the Jubilee Programme, the Superior General of the Claretian Missionaries, VR Fr Mathew Vattamattam, arrived Enugu from Lagos on the 31st of October, 2023, after a wonderful stay with the Claretian Missionaries in Lagos.
He was received on arrival by the Provincial Superior of Easy Nigeria Province, Fr Nathaniel Eke and Fr. Anthony Azinta. On arriving at the Enugu House at St. Peter’s Parish, Garriki, he was warmly welcomed by the confreres who gathered at the table for supper.
The morning of November 1st, 2023, Day 4 of the Visit, started at the Enugu Claretian Community with the celebration of the Solemnity of ALL SAINTS. Fr. Mathew Vattamattam, the Superior General of the Claretian Missionaries and our Jubilee Guest of Honour, was the Chief celebrant at the Mass with the worshiping community of St. Peter’s Parish, Gariki, Enugu State.
He was warmly welcomed by the parishioners after the mass and immediately proceeded on a courtesy call with the Provincial Superior, Fr. Nathaniel Eke and the Parish Priest, Fr. Cletus Obasi, to Bishop Calistus Onaga, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese. The Bishop was enthused about the work and mission of the Claretians in his Diocese and indeed in the whole of Nigeria.
After meeting with the Bishop, the entourage moved to Claret Comprehensive Academy, Amuri, Enugu State where the Blessing of Jubilee Schools commenced. The Principal of the school, Fr. Dennis Uwakwe welcomed Fr. General and other Claretian priests and guests present. Fr. General then proceeded with the blessing of the school and unveiling of the Jubilee Dedication Stone. The entire building was blessed with holy water while everyone accompanied with songs of praise.
At the brief reception that followed, the Christian community from our Claretian parish at Amuri, St. Mary, Amuri honoured Fr. Mathew Vattamattam with a chieftaincy title as “Omeloha” – meaning the Great Helper of the People. The Parish priest, Fr. Lawrence Ike expressed the wonderful sentiments of the people, after which the Provincial Superior appreciated immensely the support of the General government as well as other individuals that contributed to the growth of all our schools in Nigeria, especially here at Enugu.
After Fr. General blessed the people, the next stop was at the newly established school, Claret Academy Nursery and Primary School, Umuchu-Mount, Enugu State. That local is very unique having served as the Theologate and later Postulate for very many years in the 90s and early 2000s. Accordingly, the guets was welcomed by the school manager, Fr. Joseph Amaegwu and the teachers. The rite of blessing immediately followed after which there was a brief reception with exhilarating presentations by the very little kids. Fr. General narrated how everything was impressively different from what he last saw at the premises 10 years ago. He blessed the staff, students and parents gathered and then the Jubilee train continued to the 3rd school to be blessed, Claret Academy Secondary School, Garriki, Enugu State.
The train was joyfully welcomed from the streets into the Jubilee school. The Director, Fr. Matthew Mmuo welcomed Fr. General, the Claretian priests present, staff, students, parents and other guests who came in their numbers. The rites of blessing were carried out, after which the students entertained the guests with musical and cultural displays. The PTA of the school, partnering with the Igwe-in-Council of St. Peter’s Parish, also gave Fr. General a tittle “Ochioha” – the people’s leader – while installing him with the chieftaincy regalia.
The Lay Claretians of the Parish were not left out as they made presentation of gifts to Fr. Mathew Vattamattam. Fr. Nathaniel Eke, the Provincial Superior, expressed his appreciation once again to Fr. General and the general government of the Claretians for the assistance given towards many of the projects in Nigeria. He expressed his admiration of Fr. General’s energy, going around all three schools and still very patient with all the activities in the schools.
In his closing remarks, Fr. Mathew Vattamattam appreciated the Provincial Superior, the Enugu Claretian community, the school administrators, parents, staff and students of all our Claret schools in Enugu. He made deep emphasis on the Claretian dreams which include this wonderful synergy – everyone working together and building a better people for God and society.
After blessing the people, and lunch at the parish, the Jubilee train made its final movement of the day to the Claret House of Theology, Attakwu, also in Enugu. Fr. General had a relaxing moment with the seminarians and will celebrate the Mass of All Souls with them on the 2nd of November before heading to Owerri for the activities of Jubilee Day Five.
CLARETIANS! THE TIME FOR JUBILEE IS HERE!
