WITNESSES FROM SEMINARIANS OF BIGARD MEMORIAL SEMINARY ENUGU

We publish below two precious testimonies of two seminarians who attend the Bigard Memorial Seminary in Enugu, which this year celebrates its 100th anniversary. The Seminary is named after the founder of the Pontifical Society of St Peter the Apostle, an institution whose material support has allowed this structure to take root and develop in the Enugu area and which has contributed and continues to contribute so much to the formation of new priests. In the course of these 100 years of history, 4 Cardinals, 14 Archbishops, 37 Bishops and numerous priests working all over the world have been formed in this Seminary.

My name is Basil Agbo. I am a seminarian from the Catholic Diocese of Enugu. I am currently in the third-year of my theological studies here in Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu. I am delighted to share with you my experiences in Bigard. The seminary has both Philosophy and Theology Departments. She works hard to provide enabling environment for the seminarians to carry out their studies. So many academic programmes are carried out in the seminary each year. These include workshops, symposia, seminars, inauguration and convocation ceremonies. These academic programmes help in the intellectual development of the seminarians. In the current academic year (2024/2025), the total number of seminarians in my seminary is 729. Of this number, 395 are in the Theology Department while 334 are in the Philosophy Department.

The situation in our country has deeply impacted life in the seminary. One of the challenges we face is the growing insecurity in the country. Another challenge is that the economic situation of the country makes it extremely difficult to sustain the seminary financially through the year. Prices of basic goods and services have skyrocketed, making the seminary go to a great length in order to maintain the staff and students.

However, I am happy that notwithstanding the crisis Nigeria is facing, the faith continues to grow in many parts of the country, especially in the South East. Our Churches are full, new parishes are created every now and again, and vocation to the priesthood and religious houses bloom. These give us hope that God is in charge and that there is better days ahead. I also continue to hope that the current crisis and tension in the South Eastern part of the country, where my Seminary is located, would be resolved.  This will enable the Seminary to return to uninterrupted Seminary programme ones more.

My name is Ezugwu Emmanuel. I am a seminarian of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka. Presently, I am in the third year of my Philosophical studies here at Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu. I am glad to witness for my dear Seminary.

My seminary as an institution for the training of candidates for the Catholic priesthood has two departments – the Philosophy Department and the Theology Department. These departments follow academic programmes approved by Rome to ensure the academic formation of the seminarians. Other programmes in the areas of pastoral, human and spiritual, that facilitate the integral formation of the seminarians also form part of our formation process. Accordingly, such programmes include annual colloquium paper, formation weekend, various workshops, seminars, spiritual conferences, retreats, cultural and musical events, as well as inauguration of the academic year and convocation ceremonies.

The past year 2023 was indeed a very tasking and challenging year for Nigeria.  The general election that took place in the course of the year left much to be desired. Cases of violence, were recorded before, during and after the polls. The litigations that followed the election results also contributed to the unstable political atmosphere in the country. The administration that emerged after the elections imposed some economic policies that have affected the masses adversely. Such policies which include the removal of the fuel subsidy, uniform exchange rate for our local currency to dollar and other foreign currencies adversely affected the cost of generation of power supply in the seminary -which depends on diesel powered generators, as well as access to other goods and services. It is also a pity that Nigeria continues to face infrastructural challenges across various sectors like; transportation, water, power and healthcare. Consequently, the seminary goes extra miles to provide these services for her seminarians.

Furthermore, the security situation in the country has continued to deteriorate. To remain in control of the situation and to protect her seminarians in the face of little or no help from the government, the seminary has continued to upgrade her security outfits and gadgets at great financial costs. These challenges facing Nigeria as a whole, continue to affect life and activities in the seminary. Nevertheless, the seminary remains committed in her responsibility of training seminarians under such conditions.

In the midst of the above, I remain joyful and glad that the Good Lord has continued to be with and sustain us as a seminary in the face of these trying times. Indeed, we can heartily say, “the Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” (Psalm 46 vs 7). We also appreciate the impacts of the support from the friends of the seminary and groups both within and outside Nigeria. These go a long way in helping the seminary fulfil her obligations to the seminarians.

The seminary anticipated 2024 with optimism. One of the reasons being the Centenary celebration of her anniversary. The second reason is that despite all the challenges faced in 2023, the Church in Nigeria has continued to grow in leaps and bounds. This is evidenced in the increase in the number of parishes, deaneries and even dioceses. People continue to identify with the Church, attend Masses and other religious programmes. Thirdly, many young people continue to willingly embrace the call to the priestly and religious vocations. We sincerely hope that in this year and beyond, these positive growths will continue to flourish and that the security situation in the country would improve and thus bringing to an end, the persecution and killing of Christians in different parts of the country.

2024 WORLD MISSION SUNDAY CELEBRATION – “Go and Invite everyone to my Banquet” (Matthew 22:9)

World Mission Sunday is a day to  pray for missionaries especially those working in  difficult territories and to donate generously to help the world mission. The coordination of  the World Mission Sunday is championed by The Pontifical Mission Societies.

This year’s World Mission Sunday  was celebrated in all the Arch/Dioceses in Nigeria. At the National secretariat of the Pontifical Mission Societies the mass was celebrated at St. Gabriel’s Chaplaincy, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja at  8:00am by Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, Catholic Bishop of Bomadi Diocese   on 20^th October 2024. In his homily, he recognized the tremendous work missionaries do all over the world and thanked all immensely while joining his voice with Pope Francis to thank all who in response to Christ’s call have left their homeland to bring the goodnews to places where people have not yet received it.  The holy Father Pope Francis in his 2024 World Mission Sunday  message describes mission  as ‘a tireless going out to invite others to the Lord’s banquet…let us not forget that every Christian is called to take part in this universal mission by offering his or her own witness to the Gospel is every context so that the whole church can continually  go forth with her Lord and master to the “crossroads” of today’s world’.

The PMS National Director, Rev. Fr. Solomon Patrick Zaku who was at the mass also thanked all for their continuous support to Mission and appealed to all to donate generously to Mission. The members of the Holy Childhood Association also came to recite ten quotes from the World Mission Message of Pope Francis.

“DO NOT ONLY PREACH THE GOSPEL MESSAGE JUST LIKE HIRED LABOURERS BUT LIKE  CONVINCED MISSIONARIES”

The Pontifical Mission Societies (Missio Nigeria) Diocesan Directors meet for their annual National Council meeting with the theme:

"Go and invite everyone to the Banquet "(Mt 22:9) which is also the theme for the 2024 World Mission Sunday.

The opening mass commenced at 7:00 am on 17th April, 2024at St. Gabriel Chaplaincy, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria Durumi, Abuja which gathered about 50 Diocesan Directors and was presided over by the PMS Episcopal Chairman Most Rev. John Oyejola, the Catholic Bishop of Osogbo Diocese.

In his homily,the Bishop emphasized on the need to be courageous missionaries and be practical in preaching the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. He also admonished the Diocesan Directors to be convinced of the good news they preach not like hired labourers but as missionaries who understand the dynamics of Mission works. He further charged the directors to use different means to invite people to tye faith.

Immediately after the mass, there was an Opening. It began with the enthronement of the Bible,presided over by the PMS Diocesan Director of Nsukka Diocese, Rev Fr. Kelechi Justus Idike after which the PMS National Director,Very Rev.Fr. Solomon Zaku welcomed all present and called on all the directors to participate actively in the meeting. The reminded the directors that the national council meeting is an opportunity for them to meet one another, plan activities of the year,give report of past actives and share experiences.

The National Secretary of Synods, Congresses/Pilgrimages of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria,Rev. Fr. Nicholas Djebah, presented  a paper  on the theme of the meeting: "Go and Invite everyone to the Banquet"  he spoke extensively on the need to invite everyone to the banquet of God's love and listen with empathy advocate for justice and live our the faith in intentional and meaningful ways. He called on the directors to use to embrace diversity as they preach the Gospel and give special attention to the poor and underprivileged.

The meeting will end on Friday with orientation for the New PMS Diocesan Directors. The orientation will help the new directors to understand the Pontifical Mission Societies and their responsibilities as Diocesan Directors.

By

Peter Adubi

“Hearts on fire, feet on the move” – Vocations Sunday, 30 April 2023

Pontifical Misson Societies (PMS) is a worldwide network of prayer and charity at the service of the Pope for the evangelising mission of the church. The Vocations Sundays is a special day of prayer, awareness and support for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life and support them financially and this year it's come upon sunday 30th April 2023. Join us this week in praying for vocations. Be charitable by contributing to the training of Priests and Religious. God bless you as you do so.

MISSION SUNDAY 2023 – NIGERIA

Preparations are in top gear for the celebration of World Mission Sunday which comes up on 22^nd October, 2023. The National Office started the preparation for World Mission Sunday in June 2023. We produced animations materials which were distribution to all the 58 Dioceses of the Country and one moronite eparchy.

The Pope’s message was translated into four major Nigeria Languages for easy understanding and digestion. The National Director produced a short video and jingle about the mission month and mission Sunday.

In preparation for the mission month, we started a novena on 22^nd October, 2023. We had online meeting of PMS directors during which we discussed on how to animate the people of God on the mission Sunday. We drafted activities which will be carried out in the mission month of October. There will be daily recitation of mission rosary and talks on different topics related to mission.

The National Office and diocesans Offices are set to use the social media such as TV, WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook to promote the Mission Sunday Celebration.   

The National celebration will be in the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria which will be Aired live on AIT and Catholic Television. The Mass will be celebrated by the Bishop of Kafanchan Most Rev. Julius Yakubu Kundi

The Church in Nigeria will conclude the mission month with the 5^th National Mission Congress in Owerri. It will take place from 24^th to 27^th October 2023. The National Mission Congress will be an opportunity for the Church in Nigeria to reflect and evaluate missionary athnies in Nigeria.