The  9th of July, 2011, was a memorable day for the Claretian Missionaries in Nigeria as  associates, families and friends gathered at Martyrs of Barbastro Chapel, at the Claretian Institute of Philosophy Maryland -Nekede- Owerri, to witness the ordination of five priests and five deacons through the hands of His Lordship, Most Rev. Michael E. Apochi, the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo Diocese.

The Eucharistic Celebration which was to start at 10am was delayed due to a heavy down pour.  The rain  later turned out to be a blessing by cooling the atmosphere on the same day. The Holy Mass rather started about 10.45am.

The readings for the ordination were taken from Leviticus 7:11-17, Hebrew 7:20-25 and Matthew 3:1-8. In his Homily the ordaining prelate advised the candidates to pay attention to the demands of their new ministries as priests and deacons. He invited them to live a mortified life like John the Baptist in the discharge of their priestly duties. They should be fearless like John the Baptist in the preaching the Good News- Jesus. They should also imitate the austere life of John  in the kind of things they eat and wear.

The five newly ordained priests are: Chukwuemeka Anyanwu, cmf, Stephen Kalu, cmf, Gregory Iwu, cmf, and Charles Onwuasoanya, cmf, for East Nigeria Province, while Victor Orpin, cmf, was ordained for West Delegation of Nigeria.

Those ordained deacons were: Hilary Anadu, cmf, Valentine Ibeka, cmf, Henry Osuagwu, cmf,  Dieudonne Ngenso, cmf, for the Province of East Nigeria, while Edward Kwaghtsule, cmf, was ordained deacon for West Delegation of Nigeria.

More than fifty priests both Claretians and non - Claretians were present at the ordination. Men and women religious of different Congregations were also present. The Provincial Superior of East Nigeria, Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Nwobi, cmf, and the Major Superior of West Delegation of Nigeria, Very. Rev. Fr. Henry Omonisaye, cmf, flanked and assisted the Bishop during the ordination.

In his vote of thanks, the Provincial Superior, Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Nwobi, cmf, who was visibly happy thanked God for the increase in vocation and for the successful ordination of his confreres. He also thanked the ordaining prelate for accepting to come to Owerri all the way from Otukpo to perform the Sacred act. He equally thanked the Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Anthony J.V. Obinna for allowing the Bishop  of  Otukpo Diocese to come to Owerri Archdiocese for the ordinations. The Mass was  followed by the reception of the newly ordained priests and deacons. Most of the newly ordained priests said their thanksgiving Mass in there respective home parishes the following day.

By Fr. Nathaniel Eke, cmf.