BIGARD MEMORIAL SEMINARY ENUGU CELEBRATES HER 2025 MISSION WEEKEND

In obedience to the Lord’s injunction in Matthew 28:19 “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,”, the Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu, as is customary every year, dedicated a weekend to reflect on the mystery of the Word of God and the missionary mandate entrusted to the Church. This event, known as the Mission Weekend, is a cherished part of the seminary’s formation programme — a time to rekindle missionary zeal and renew commitment to evangelization.

This year’s edition, held from Friday, 17th October to Saturday, 18th October 2025, centered on the theme:

“Testimonies of Hope — Learning from the Saints and Missionaries of the Past.”

The weekend began on Friday evening with a lively round-table discussion that set the tone for the program. The session was both stimulating and inspiring, as it invited participants to reflect deeply on the theme of Christian hope as the foundation of authentic witnessing.

During the first day’s deliberations, the discussants highlighted the necessity of hope in every genuine missionary endeavor. They reminded participants that without hope, there can be no true missionary zeal and endeavor. This hope, they stressed, is not a fleeting optimism, but a living assurance anchored in Jesus Christ, distinct from mere wishful thinking.

Day Two: The Key Note Address, delivered by Rev. Fr. Dr. Ohajuobodo Oko, focused on the nature of Christian hope. He emphasized that “when there is no hope, there is no future,” reminding participants that our hope is not mere wishful thinking but one anchored in Jesus Christ—the sure foundation of our faith.

The first paper, presented by Rev. Fr. Dr. Uzochukwu Njoku, was titled “Ethics and Theology of Hope in the Church’s Mission in Nigeria.” He explained that hope is not merely an inner disposition but a call to virtuous action. Quoting Acts 1:8, he urged seminarians to be authentic witnesses of Christ’s hope in a society threatened by despair and moral decay. According to him, hope fuels courage, resilience, and faith — qualities essential for the missionary vocation.

Following this, Rev. Fr. Clovis Njoku presented a thought-provoking paper on “Modern Media Evangelization.” He underlined that evangelization is the very identity of the Church, and that the Church must be present in the digital world as she is in the physical. He emphasized that online presence must flow from an authentic relationship with God offline, and that digital evangelization is a genuine participation in God’s redemptive mission.

Reactions and Reflections The session also featured lively reactions and contributions from participants. Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ezeoba reflected on the dangers of socialism and and the place of individualism in the modern world, while Rev. Fr. James Odo highlighted the dire situation of Nigeria and the the position of hope amid seemingly hopeless conditions. Rev. Fr. Dr. Kevin Udenwagu emphasized the importance of using the media responsibly as a tool for evangelization—creating content that inspires faith and spreads the Gospel, not merely for profit.

The weekend concluded with a renewed sense of purpose. The speakers and participants alike echoed the same truth — that every Christian, and especially every seminarian, is called to be a witness of hope in a world yearning for meaning and redemption.
The Mission Weekend 2025 reminded the Bigard family that to follow Christ is to be sent forth as “testes spei” — witnesses of hope. As they journey onward in formation, the seminarians carry with them this sacred mandate: to proclaim the hope that does not disappoint, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.