By Ononye VC
The Holy Trinity Basilica,Onitsha was agog last Sunday with various activities billed for the reception of the Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Reverend Valerian Okeke on his yearly pastoral visit and also for celebration of the parish’s patronal feast day also known as Trinity Feast.
It was a colourful “home coming” for the Archbishop as hundreds of parishioners gathered at the Basilica Square where the Archbishop celebrated a mass and a reception was held to welcome him to the parish,the seat of his Ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
Delivering his homily during the mass,the Archbishop said it was a great privilege to the parish for bearing the name bestowed on it by the early missionaries as “Holy Trinity Catholic Church” which later transformed to a Basilica.
He pointed out that the mystery of the Trinity is beyond human comprehension but that it was all about Trinity of unity of love and universality of God.
The Archbishop told the congregation about God’s abiding love on them having kept them alive while many of their friends and relatives have died,in sick bed or in worse conditions.
“God has been with us and guiding us through the Holy Spirit.We are privileged like the Israelites under Moses and we must be thankful to God”,the Archbishop said.He further pointed out that part of the problem besetting humanity is lack of love.According to him,if we have the love of God,peace and love will be for all and their would be minimal hardship.
In a welcome address,the Basilica Parish expressed gratitude to the Archbishop for all his support to the parish.
They enumerated some of their recent activities which included visit to the Shanahan University site,annual retreat and crusade.
The Rector of the Basilica, Monsignor Francis Nwokedi Ezumezu also thanked the Archbishop for his visit.
Part of the highlight of the visit are, administering of the sacrament of confirmation on 208 candidates, presentation of gifts to the Archbishop by organisations,societies,groups and individuals.
Other highlights are,march-past by schools and various other entertainments.
