The 24th of January 2016 was another day of great jubilation and thankfulness to God for and with our twenty-two (22) brothers from the Catholic Dioceses of Abakaliki, Awka, Nsukka and the Vincentian community who were raised to the order of Deacons of the Catholic Church. On this day also, the entire fourth year theology Seminarians expressed their gratitude to God for His sustenance and blessings all these years of their seminary formation.
The eve of Sunday witnessed a novelty football match organized by the Theology four Seminarians between the Deacons and Non-deacons at about 4.30pm at the Bigard san siro field. The celebration proper began with the Eucharistic celebration at about 6.45am on Sunday in the Seminary Main Chapel presided over by Rev. Fr. Dr. Sylvanus Nnoruka with some Bigard formators as concelebrants.
In his homily on the theme: Authentic Pastoral Ministry, Fr. Nnoruka outlined some of the inauthentic approaches to pastoral ministry exhibited by contemporary ministers as well as the authentic spirits which ought to be imbibed in the ministry.
He therefore admonished the deacons to shun materialism and undue claims to performing miracles but rather to be led by the Spirit to avoid self and human dependence. He further advised them to always teach and preach the ultimate truth which they can only acquire by constant reading and sincere meditative prayer and to be faithful to the Evangelical counsels.
The President of the Class, Mr. Agu, Kenneth, after the post communion prayer expressed the sentiments of the gratitude of the entire class to the Formators especially the Principal celebrant.
The celebration continued in the evening of Sunday with the solemn vespers and refreshments at the Pope John Paul II refectory sponsored by the class. We congratulate our new deacons and pray God who has begun this good work in them to bring it to fulfillment. Amen.