NEW MINISTERS AT THE SERVICE OF THE CHURCH

The Society of St Paul in Nigeria witnessed a historic moment on 26 February 2017. Martins Chibuike Obasi and Gerard Tanko were raised to the Order of Priesthood as the first priests of the Society of St Paul from Nigeria by His Grace Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, the Archbishop of Lagos. The programme of the day started with a guard of honour accorded to the Archbishop by the Knights of St John. This was followed by the entrance procession that led to the finely decorated chapel. During the homily, the Archbishop reminded everyone to invite God into their lives as their sole Master. His Grace reminded the Ordinandi that they are not their own anymore, but they belong to Christ and to the Church and reminded them to carry out the ministry of the Word and the Sacrament with utmost care and dignity, making it possible for the people of God to experience Christ.  After the meticulously organized ceremony, messages of felicitations from our Superior General Don Valdir Jose de Castro and our Provincial Superior Fr Michael Raj were read out to the newly ordained in public. The Liturgical celebration over, the newly ordained were felicitated with dances, songs, skits and by cutting the cake amid thunderous applause. The SSP community of Lagos, led by Frs Jikson and Emmanuel together with Fr Joe Eruppakkatt, the Coordinator of Vocation Promotion and Formation in Nigeria worked hard to make sure that the day’s function went on smoothly and gracefully. Our gratitude goes to the all our conferers in Nigeria. Hearty congratulations and prayerful wishes to Rev. Frs Martins and Gerard as they begin their priests life in the Pauline family and embark on a journey of ministering to the People of God through the Pauline Charism and mission.