Raises Seven Deacons Of MSP To Catholic Priests
His Grace, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, has charged seven newly ordained Catholic Priests of the Missionary Society of St. Paul MSP, to meditate on why God has chosen to call them at a challenging moment like the time we are, urging them to look up to him in the Blessed Sacrament at all times.
In his homily on September 12, 2020, at the National Missionary Seminary of St. Paul, Gwagwalada, Abuja, the Archbishop called on the seven deacons to offer their lives totally for the missionary service.
“As you offer your life for missionary service, remember that you are called to the priesthood at a challenging time in the life of the Church and the world”.
“My dear new priests, in fulfilling the tasks assigned to you by God, please find time for silence to contemplate Jesus, especially in the Blessed Sacrament; make the Lord God alone your rock and refuge, “unload all your worries on to Him” (1 Pt. 5:7). When discouraged, frustrated or feeling weak, look up to Jesus in prayer and He will strengthen you. As St. Paul, your patron Saint in the second reading from Ephesians says, be always humble, gentle and patient. (cf. Eph. 4:1-3)”.
Archbishop Kaigama noted that throughout history, God has often called persons to specific missions just as Abraham in Genesis 12 was summoned to leave his homeland rather unexpectedly for an unknown destination and he left in the spirit of absolute obedience.
Referring to the readings of the day, he said; Jeremiah, as we read in the first reading (Jer. 1:4-9), though young and inexperienced, was empowered by the Lord to be a prophet among his people.
He disclosed that those called to work for God always experienced and expressed a feeling of inadequacy, but God is always there to guide and give to them ehat they needed to actaulises his plans. “Moses told God that he stammered a lot (cf. Ex. 4:10), Gideon told the angel of God, “my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house” (Jdg 6:15), Isaiah complained about his “unclean lips” (cf. Is. 6:5), Simon Peter told the Lord to depart from him for he (Peter) was “a sinful man” (cf. Lk. 5:8)”.
Recounting different events in the scriptures, the Archbishop admonished the newly ordained to always look unto the owner of the vineyard. He noted that even St. Paul asks the question in Romans 10:14-15 about how people can call upon the name of the Lord and believe in Him and hear about Him if no one sends preachers.
He said Jesus knew this very well and sent the Apostles to boldly preach the Gospel and encouraged them to endure even when confronted with suffering and hardships. St. Paul who was a keen persecutor of Christians became an ardent preacher of Christ, and going through severe hardships, distinguished himself as the Apostle to the Gentiles
He noted that though some individuals and groups, allergic to the Gospel, negatively scrutinize and X-ray the Church, and feeling uneasy with the ideals and values of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, prefer a Church where one is free to do as he or she pleases.
Most Rev. Kaigama while stressing on the services of the church to the world stated that one would think that if they don’t appreciate the Church’s activities for the salvation of souls, they would at least consider the humanitarian services offered by the Catholic Church over the centuries in the nooks and crannies of the world.
“It is no secret that the Catholic Church is the largest non-government provider of education and health care in the world, as well as other works of charity, in addition to social development, and social justice etc. One wonders about the agenda to bring the Catholic Church to her knees. Yes, the Church may go on her knees, but not in defeat, but praying, he declared”.
While congratulating the newly ordained missionary priests, the archbishop also expressed his profound gratitude to the Superior General of the Missionary Society of St. Paul, Rev. Fr. Callistus Isara, MSP for inviting him.
“Let us celebrate with gratitude to God the priestly ordination of seven young men in the Missionary Society of St. Paul. I thank the Superior General, Fr. Callistus Isara, MSP, for inviting me to perform my first solemn ceremony in my canonical capacity as the new Local Ordinary of the Society. Be assured of my prayers and collaboration. Allow me please to congratulate all the MSP family, the formators, parents of the candidates, benefactors and friends. Congratulations”.
May you our new priests and indeed all of us priests and religious, delight in serving God and His people and at last, with our Lady’s help, come together with those we serve safely to God’s presence. Amen