CLARETIAN FORMATORS CONVENE IN IBADAN FOR LANDMARK 4TH ANNUAL ENCOUNTER
by cmf
IBADAN, NIGERIA – Between February 17 and 20, 2026, the Claretian Missionaries of the East Nigeria Province and the West Nigeria Independent Delegation gathered for their 4th Annual Formators’ Encounter hosted at the Claretian House of Theology, Elerumoke. The event brought together 14 missionaries serving in different formation houses in the two organisms, Claretian Missionaries on mission collaboration serving as formators in other congregations and some members of the formation councils from the two organisms for a period of fraternal conversations and strategic planning.
The encounter was centered on the theme: “The Impact of the Synergy Between Formators on the Formandi Amid a Variety of Cultures.” This theme addressed the power of fraternal life, communion, teamwork and collaboration in the process of formation especially within the increasingly multicultural landscape of the Nigerian Church and beyond.
The program commenced with the Holy Mass of Ash Wednesday presided over by Fr. Roland Onyenali, cmf Prefect of Spirituality and Community Life, East Nigeria Province. The inaugural address by the host Major Superior, Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Maideyadu, CMF set a visionary tone for the days ahead as he emphasized the need for collaborative formation, shared vision, role mentorship and effective accompaniment.
The encounter featured fraternal and insightful presentations that sparked both reflection and group sharings. Fr. Peter Okonkwo, CMF, offered a foundational look at the indispensable place of synodality, communion and teamwork in the formation process. A joint presentation by Frs. Michael Eke, CMF and Emmanuel Olowo, CMF offered practical insights into the theme, drawing from their direct experiences in different cultural contexts. These sessions transitioned into group discussions and extended plenaries, where participants tackled critical and contextual issues relevant to our formation process in Nigeria.
In line with the theme, the participants had extended conversations on Chapter Two of the document ‘Formation of Claretian Missionaries in Nigeria (FCMN)’, specifically focusing on the human agents of formation, collaboration in ongoing formation, and finally discussed some points that emerged from the last Encounter of Brothers in Rome and the Meeting of the Prefects of Formation in Vic. The Encounter also afforded the participants some time for bonding, relaxation and sightseeing as they made out time to visit the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and a few other sites in the ancient city of Ibadan.
The encounter was no doubt a fraternal reunion that brought together different generations of Claretian Missionaries engaged in the service of formation. As the encounter concluded, the participants thanked the Major Superiors for their steadfast support. They specifically thanked the West Nigeria Independent Delegation and the Theologate community for the warm hospitality and fraternal welcome.
Recommended Posts
YOUTH AND CHILDREN BIBLE CAMP 2026
April 11, 2026
