By Ononye VC/Nna Anulummadu
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Rev Valerian Okeke last Saturday,7th October 2023,invested a new set of 120 new junior seminarians at the All Hallows Seminary,Onitsha,marking their journey into the ministerial priesthood.
The Archbishop also inaugurated the 2023/2024 Academic Year.
The Archbishop who was represented on the ocassion by the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Onitsha,Very Rev Fr Johnbosco Okafor,gave the theme of his homily thus;”Be Apostles of the Rosary”.
The Archbishop through the Vicar General,reflected on why the new seminarians who are on their way to the priesthood should act as Apostles of the Rosary through which they will succeed in their journey to priesthood.
He described an Apostle as one who teaches,preaches and propagates the Gospel and also listens and answers when God calls him just as the Biblical Samuel.
“If you see yourself as having been called,you have to listen to your formators and above all your Archbishop.As an Apostle of the Rosary,you have to make the Rosary your own personal devotion and praying before the Blessed Sacrament always”.
The Archbishop further told the new seminarians that as they recite the Rosary with devotion,they were not only praying but reflecting about the birth of Christ,His death,resurrection and ministry.
The Archbishop pointed out to them saying,”For you to be a quality seminarian,you have to practicalise your relationship with mother Mary and she will make a lot of miracles in your lives”.
The Archbishop thanked the Rector of the Seminary Rev Fr Paschal Okonkwo,priest formators and other staff of the seminary who have helped in promoting excellence in the seminary.
While delivering an address of welcome during the reception,Rector of the seminary,Very Rev Fr Paschal Okonkwo expressed gratitude to God for His unfailing providence and to the proprietor of the school, Archbishop Valerian Okeke for his unceasing love and concern for the school.
The Rector through the Archbishop,thanked the Vatican Dicastery for the Evangelization,the Pontifical Works of St Peter the Apostle and other numerous beneficiaries,benefactoresses and parents for their benevolence towards the school.
Fr Okonkwo also thanked his team of Father Formators in the school namely Rev Frs Franklin Onyekwe,Francisco Okakpu,Valentine Ezumezu,Francis Mary Udeaja and Justin Ileka.
In his remarks,the PTD chairman Mayor Chukwukelu Okudo hailed Archbishop Okeke and the management of the seminary saying that it was a great privilege for the students and their parents to be admitted in the school which he labelled the best among equals.
Highlight on the ocassion was presentation of gifts to students who excelled in academics,cultural dances and performance by the seminary choir.
