NINE MEMBERS MAKE PERPETUAL PROFESSION IN EAST NIGERIA PROVINCE
by cmf
Some days in the year are often anticipated with joy. Numbered among such days, for the Claretians of East Nigeria Province is often September 6th, 7th and 8th every year. These days of September witnesses the birth of new Sons of the Heart of Mary born via their religious professions in the congregation. The year 2025 was not left out in this joyful reality in the life of the province. On the 7th of September 2025, nine members of the province made their final profession at St. Anthony Mary Claret Parish Area ‘A’ New Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. It was the day the colour of the sun bore more brilliance for our young professandii. The Holy Mass Presided over by the Provincial Superior VRF Nathaniel Eke, CMF started at 11am. The celebration was graced by numerous Claretian Priests, family members of the candidate for profession, parishioners from different Claretian parishes, the Lay Claretians, Religious women and priests from within and outside Imo State.
During the homily, the Provincial Superior portrayed the decision of the professandii as a radical option to follow Jesus without turning back. Referring to the Gospel of the day [Luke 14:25-33] he told the professandii that the words of Jesus must impel them to leave the world behind and audaciously embrace missionary option for the poor and the living of the evangelical counsels. He made them understand the importance of doing everything to keep the vows they make to God. On Chastity, he told them that they are manifesting their undivided heart to God. Pointing to 1 Corinthians 7:32-34, he mentioned that for one who is living a life of consecrated virginity, his heart is for God. On the vow of poverty, he reminded them that as missionaries, they do not own personal properties because they are like Jesus who did not have a place to lay his head but went about preaching the gospel. He told their families to assist them to live their vows by not persuading them to give what they do not have because they own nothing personally, rather what they have belongs to the mission because of their consecrated vowed of poverty which calls them to live a communal life. On the vow of obedience, he quoted the gospel of John 4:34, where Jesus said that his food is to the will of God, therefore, the food of the young missionaries is to do the Will of the mission and the Congregation.
The superior told the candidates that temptations will surely come, and it will be from the vows they made. Therefore, they must remember the teachings of Fr. Claret becoming missionaries who understand what they need to survive to be the two wings, which are the wings of prayer and of studying the word of God. These are the only ways to come out of temptation.
He advised them to ask God for Grace and always take their life of prayer seriously, both community and personal prayer because no one can graduate from the life of prayer. He let them know that prayer is the key to discernment and knowing what God wants them to be, likewise, they should make their study like a prayer to help them understand.
He advised them to be available to their brothers and their sisters because they belong to a congregation and family whose aim is to seek the greater glory of God, for their own sanctification and for the salvation of all peoples. He also reminded them that the vows they are taking is for them to be there for all who needs the word of God, therefore they should be ready to accept their mission.
He reminded everyone present that they are all called to the life of holiness, and they should always put God first. He asked for prayers from the people to help the consecrated people not to derail from the right path. After the Homily came the rite of profession proper, after pronouncing their vows, the newly professed received the congregation’s insignia on profession worn by all finally professed Claretian missionaries in the world. The newly professed in a solemn procession presented the sacrificial gifts at the altar and after Holy Communion, they and their family members and friends presented gift items in thanksgiving and dances accompanied by music from the choir and the jubilant crowd gathered for the celebration. The Holy Mass ended at about 1:27pm and a brief reception took place at the school auditorium of Claret Academy Secondary School New Owerri, Imo State.
It was all dances and joy as everyone matched in to celebrate with the newly professed. Family members expressed their deep gratitude to God and to the Claretian congregation through which their sons have realised the call of God to the missionary life. It was a day of thanksgiving and a day of jubilant and fraternal conviviality. In his closing remark, the Provincial Superior appreciated the parents, families and friends of the brothers who made their profession as well as all present at the event for supporting the vocation of the young missionaries and for their presence and contribution to the success of the day’s ceremony. He also appreciated the provincial secretary and the provincial masters of ceremonies who worked behind the scene to see to a colourful celebration. The second part of the day’s ceremony ended with a concluding prayer and blessing by the Provincial superior accompanied by the Provincial Econome Fr. Marcel Obilo and the Provincial Secretary Fr. Dominic Ukpong.
By: Chiletam Vivian Nwogu, Esq.
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