Seven Jesuits profess Vows

The Vowed Men with the Provincial Superior (M)

Seven Novices of the North-West Africa Province of the Society of Jesus, recently professed their Simple Perpetual Vows at the Chapel of St Ignatius at the Jesuit Novitiate in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Among the newly professed were four Nigerians and three Ghanaians. They were Gabriel Owusu Adjei, SJ, Arinze Martins Nnamani, SJ, Emeka Duru, SJ, and Bonosa Kwadwo Fosu, SJ, as well as Charles Ugwuonah,SJ,  Kenechukwu Kenneth Nwakwudo, SJ, and Joseph Ghansah SJ.

A candidate making his vows

Very Rev. Fr. Chukwuyenum Afiawari, SJ, Provincial Superior of the North-West Africa Province of the Society of Jesus, who presided over the Mass, received their Vows, after going through two years of formation and discernment training at the Jesuit Novitiate.

Fr. Ibeneto

In a homily, Fr. Maximus Ibeneto, SJ, Assistant Parish Priest at the St. Joseph Parish at Benin City, said in the journey of faith, we should be guided and transported by the knowledge of God’s plan.

He said to be guided and transported by the knowledge of God, Christians especially the newly vowed men should listen and trust God to lead them in their missions. 

Fr. Ibeneto noted that “although each of the Vowed men had what it takes to make a name for themselves”, they chose to be companions of Christ, urging them to entrust themselves under God’s guidance.

As part of the ceremony, Rev. Fr. Thomas Oguagua, SJ, Director of Novices, presented crucifixes to the vowed men.

The Vowed Men.

Bonosa Fosu, thanked everyone who played roles leading to their successful formation and discernment.

At the Mass were scores of Priests, as well as many well-wishers, relatives and friends of the candidates.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Superior in congratulating the vowed men, announced that four of the men: Bonosa Kwadwo Fosu, SJ; Charles Ugwuonah, SJ; Joseph Ghansah, SJ; and Arinze Martins Namani, SJ, have been mission to the Arrupe Jesuit University in Harare, Zimbabwe, for further studies.

While, Gabriel Owusu Adjei, SJ; Emeka Martins Duru, SJ and Kenechukwu Kenneth Kwakwudo, SJ, have also been mission to the Loyola University of Congo in Kinshasa, D.R. Congo.  

They have since left for their various missions 

Warm congratulatory hug by the Novice Director