Brothers Benedict Anyanwu (36), Johnkennedy Akoma (30) and Basil Agbom (29) made their final vows 8 years into their formation in the Redemptorist life at the Archangels parish, Lagos, on Saturday, 15th October 2022. The celebration was graced with the presence of family, friends and the host parishioners. Redemptorists confreres working in remote parts of Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta and Ghana traversed the difficult terrains to make it to this celebration.
The Vice Provincial Superior, Fr. Joterio Aghoja, who had served as parish priest of the host parish fifteen years ago, presided over the mass and received the vows of the confreres. He was flanked by his Vicar, Fr. Jude Anyaegbu and the Parish priest of the Archangels, Fr. Gabriel Achu, CSsR.
The homilist of the day, Fr. Hyacinth Agomuoh, the Vice Provincial Secretary and also an associate priest at the Archangels parish, exhorted the confreres to be steadfast and joyful in their consecration to Christ the Redeemer.
The success of the whole celebration was a joint effort from the parish pastoral team, which includes the Redemptorist priests, the Religious Sisters of Charity and the dedicated parishioners of the Archangels parish. Those who could not attend the ceremony physically joined the live coverage on Facebook, which reached about 1,414 people.
One of the big highlights of the celebration was the beauty of the liturgy, which featured the participation of the Holy Childhood Association (Pontifical Association of the holy Childhood) during the mass. Their moving creative dance and their presence added life and colour to the celebration.
After the mass, guests were entertained at the newly commissioned St. Alphonsus multipurpose building on the grounds of the Archangels parish.
As a unit, we give thanks to God for continually adding to our numbers. With this ceremony, the number of the finally professed confreres in our Vice Province has increased to 127.
We pray for the grace of final perseverance for Benedict, Johnkennedy and Basil as they enter deeper into the mystery of consecration.
Fr. Godwin Abbah, CSsR
