EAST NIGERIA CLARETIANS ILLUMINATE THE PATH WITH 11TH PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY
by cmf
On September 28, 2024, the Claretian Missionaries of the East Nigeria Province concluded their XI Provincial Assembly with the Holy Mass amidst expressions of joy and thanksgivings. It was preceded by the annual provincial retreat from September 22 to 25, offering deeper prayer and reflection. The Assembly, which began on September 25, 2024, was held at the Claretian Institute of Philosophy in Maryland, Nekede, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, two years after the VIII Provincial Chapter. It was presided over by Fr. Pedro Belderrain, CMF, the General Prefect of Apostolate, representing the Superior General, Fr. Mathew Vattamattam. The Assembly saw over 149 missionaries from Nigeria, Ghana, and Chad in attendance. Activities commenced with solemn Vespers on September 25, followed by refreshments. The opening session featured the enthronement of the Word of God, led by Fr. Rowland Onyenali, and a welcome speech from the Provincial Superior, Fr. Nathaniel Eke. In his welcome speech titled: Deepening our rootedness in Christ and audaciousness in mission, the Provincial Superior expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to gather for the assembly, noting that it took place at the motherhouse of the province. He thanked the missionaries present for the sacrifices made in order to be part of the assembly despite the challenging circumstances surrounding travels in the country. He encouraged the spirit of fraternal interactions at the assembly and concluded with a prayer for departed Claretians.
The Assembly President Fr. Pedro Belderrain conveyed the General Superior’s message of encouragement to the province and felicitations from other members of the General Government as well as other organisms of the congregation. The General Superior in his message through Fr. Pedro expressed deep sentiment of gratitude to the province for her commitment to evangelization and offered prayerful support for the success of the assembly. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the province and encouraged all the missionaries to strive to cultivate virtues that will proffer remedies to the ills made prevalent from negative sources.
The Assembly provided opportunities for reunion, discernment, dialogue, and evaluation of the province’s life and mission in Africa and beyond in the path laid by Father Claret whose spirit was for the whole world. Reports were presented by the Provincial Government and by Mission Coordinators, including Fr. Cornelius Nweke (Northern Nigeria Mission), Fr. Cyriacus Asiegbu (Ghana Mission), and Fr. Innocent Okafor (Chad Mission). Coordinators of major activities also had the opportunity to brief the assembly. Group discussions aimed at revitalizing the province’s mission zeal also took place and participants expressed joy and gratitude to God for His sustenance upon the province and for the experience at the assembly.
The province also within the assembly period, celebrated the 25th anniversaries of priestly ordination for Fr. Hilarion Ekeanyanwu, Fr. Godwin Uzoma, and Fr. John Francis Adile, and the first religious profession for Fr. Jude Anyanwu and Fr. Aloysius Ugo.
The Assembly concluded with the Eucharistic Sacrifice, presided over by Fr. Nathaniel Eke, and the planting of the 175th Anniversary Jubilee tree, celebrating the congregation’s jubilee year.
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