by cmf
reflections
FIVE YEARS AFLAME: QUINQUENNIUM 2026 IN EAST NIGERIA PROVINCEThe Quinquennium programme serves to nurture profound and positive growth that marks the vital transition from initial formation to the complex realities of active pastoral ministry for priests under the first five years of ordination. The 2026 quinquennium program took place at the Claretian House of Formation, CIP Maryland, Nekede and spanned from June 9th to June 13th, 2026. It was guided by a profound and deeply reflective theme, Claretian Identity: Five Years Aflame and facilitated by the Provincial Prefect of Formation Frs. Stanislaus Ekwujuru, CMF and the Provincial Prefect of Spirituality and Community Life, who also doubles as the prefect of Bible Ministry and Communication, Fr. Rowland Onyenali, CMF. The encounter officially commenced on June 9, a day defined by arrival, exchange of pleasantries and orientation. The spiritual and structural tone of the entire gathering was set during the opening session, which featured a formal address by the Provincial Superior, VRF Nathaniel Eke, CMF to the young missionaries. The Major Superior’s address served as both a warm welcome and a strategic charge, reminding the participants that these initial five years are foundational for anchoring a sustainable, lifelong ministry as a Claretian missionary priest. Following this initial orientation, the program transitioned into its first major functional phase, which focused heavily on sharing on life and mission in the places of our pastoral service. In an environment of mutual trust, the brothers took turns sharing their experiences in their communities and apostolate. The brothers spoke candidly about their joys and hope, pains and challenges, and the overall feelings. This phase gave the facilitators a clear diagnostic picture of the well-being of the younger priests. The core theological and charismatic framework of the programme was realized in the next phase, which focused directly on the theme of Claretian Identity. Fr. Rowland Onyenali,...
Continue ReadingJune 19, 2026
JOY AS CUN RECEIVES PERMANENT LICENCE, LAUNCHES 25-YEAR STRATEGIC VISIONThe Claretian Missionaries continues to count her blessings in Nigeria as she proudly announces that the Claretian University of Nigeria (CUN), Nekede, has crossed a defining threshold in its journey of faith and scholarship. The province of East Nigeria joyfully shares the good news that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has formally granted CUN its permanent license to operate as a private university in Nigeria. This landmark approval crowns years of academic investment, institutional discipline, and the enduring Claretian educational mission of forming minds and hearts for service. The license was presented to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Vicar General of the Claretian Missionaries worldwide, Very Rev. Fr. Henry Omonisaye, CMF, during the University’s fifth Board of Trustees Meeting held April 21–22, 2026, in Owerri, following a campus inspection that drew wide commendation for visible infrastructural growth. “This license is not just a regulatory approval; it is a public affirmation that Claretian University belongs among Nigeria’s most credible academic institutions. We receive it with gratitude and a deeper sense of responsibility,” Fr. Omonisaye remarked. All academic programmes presented for accreditation passed successfully, underscoring the University’s commitment to excellence. All commended the university’s excellent standard and enforcement of examination integrity and academic discipline, ensuring that the University remains a model of Catholic education rooted in truth and moral responsibility. The Board established a Strategic Commission chaired by Prof. Izu-Marcel Onyeocha, CMF, tasked with developing a 25-year growth plan. This plan will be anchored in research excellence, academic succession, and international partnerships, including consortium arrangements with neighbouring universities. The Alumni Association, inaugurated with the pioneer graduating class in November 2025, received BOT backing to establish a liaison office to support graduates as they build careers across Nigeria and beyond. The Claretian Missionaries celebrate this milestone as a testimony...
Continue ReadingApril 28, 2026
YOUTH AND CHILDREN BIBLE CAMP 2026From the 7th – 11th April, 2026, the Prefecture of Bible and Communications, in collaboration with the Prefecture of Youth and Vocations Ministry, East Nigeria Province, successfully organized a five-day Bible camp for youth and students drawn from our parishes and Claret Academies and primary schools. This initiative was conceived as a means of deepening the participants’ knowledge of Sacred Scripture, fostering spiritual growth, and strengthening their commitment to Christian values in the course of their lives. The camp centered on a focused and systematic study of the Book of Daniel, specifically chapters 1–6. Throughout the five days, participants were guided through the historical context, key themes, and enduring lessons found within these passages. Emphasis was placed on faithfulness in the face of adversity, courage in witnessing to one’s beliefs, and the importance of integrity in daily living. These lessons were not only taught theoretically but were also made practical and relatable through various interactive sessions. To enhance effective learning and participation, the participants were divided into five groups. Each group provided a space for more personalized engagement, allowing them to actively contribute to discussions, ask questions, and share insights. The group structure also encouraged teamwork, mutual respect, and the development of leadership skills among the youth. One of the most enriching aspects of the camp was the use of diverse teaching methods. In addition to structured lessons, participants engaged in group discussions where they reflected on the book of Daniel and applied its lessons to contemporary life situations. Drama presentations were also a key feature of the program. These dramatizations allowed the young people to creatively interpret biblical events, making the stories more vivid and memorable while reinforcing the moral lessons embedded within them. A significant highlight of the camp was the online session facilitated by Very Rev. Fr....
Continue ReadingApril 11, 2026
BUILDING TRUE APOSTOLIC WITNESS: CLARETIANS STRESS SELF-SUSTAINABILITY IN MISSION AT SEMINAR FOR FORMANDIIThe East Nigeria Province of the Claretian Missionaries convened a seminar for its formation houses for the first half of the year on March 16, 2026, focusing on the theme “Self-Sustainability: An Important Element of Mission.” The event brought together participants from Claretian Theology House, Attakwu, Heart of Mary Novitiate Utonkon and the Claretian Formation House, Nekede, reaffirming the province’s dedication to preparing missionaries who are spiritually and practically equipped for contemporary challenges as well as building missionaries with spirit and tact for the future. The seminar was organised by the province’s prefecture of formation and Fr. Vincent Okoye, CMF, Manager of Claret Table Water and member of the Provincial Economic Council, facilitated the session. Fr. Okoye presented a framework for integrating economic sustainability into the broader mission of evangelization and gave a comprehensive roadmap for balancing spiritual mandates with economic realities. He clarified that for the Congregation, financial activities are never merely for profit; rather, the economy exists strictly to fuel the apostolate. In his address, Fr. Okoye underscored that all economic initiatives must reflect Christian values and maintain highest standards of excellence, embody ethical stewardship, and remain rooted in the values of community life. It must bring forth that zeal of Fr. Claret for the poorest of the poor. He explained that projects should be transparent, reflecting accountability while ensuring that their ultimate purpose is to advance the mission rather than commercial gain. In an era of dwindling external support and the expanding needs of the mission, Fr. Okoye emphasized that self-sustainability is no longer optional. This he said would be of great importance not only for the missions of the province but for the universal congregation and others via mission collaboration. He challenged the students to view their individual talents, skills, and hard work as vital contributions...
Continue ReadingMarch 17, 2026
OUR CLARETIAN IDENTITY: CMF East AND WEST NIGERIA HOST THEIR FIRST ONGOING FORMATION SEMINAR FOR 2026OWERRI/ LAGOS – On March 7, 2026, the perpetually professed Claretian Missionaries from the East Nigeria Province and the West Nigeria Independent Delegation gathered for their online biannual ongoing formation seminar. The seminar, centered on the theme “Our Claretian Identity,” served as a spiritual and fraternal touchstone for members navigating the complexities of modern ministry. The seminar was facilitated by Fr. Daniel Onyeayana, CMF, the former Major Superior of the West Nigeria Independent Delegation, who brought both administrative experience and deep theological insight to the discussion. Fr. Onyeayana opened the session by emphasizing the urgency of the theme. He noted that for missionaries in ongoing formation, a clear sense of identity is vital while collaborating with our brothers and sisters in the mission and interacting with a rapidly changing world. To understand the Claretian identity, he went back to the source, highlighting how the Claretian charism transmitted through Father Claret serves as a specific gift to the Church. Consequently, the facilitator spoke about Spirituality, Charism, and Apostolate. He reminded the participants that their identity is not defined simply by their actions, but by their “rootedness” in Christ, whose word they are called to listen to and serve. This Claretian missionary identity defines us as itinerant preachers and ardent followers of Christ, forged and formed in the Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A central point of the reflection was the “Pen Picture” (CC, 9), which the Father Founder intended for every Claretian to carry in his heart and pocket. The Claretian is a man on fire with God’s love, who spreads it flame wherever he goes, undaunted by obstacles as he seeks to imitate Christ in daily life. To deepen this understanding, he invited the participants to engage in a reflective study of the two-volume Commentary on the Constitutions. The...
Continue ReadingMarch 13, 2026
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