Michael-Angelo OBIALO

 

“To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. He has made everything beautiful in its time.”- Ecclesiastes 3:1{The New Community Bible}. It is to this attestation that, the Association of Seminarians of Ibadan Archdiocese {ASIA} has deemed it fit to organize an annual event throughout the Archdiocese, this event is that which is called VOCATION RALLY.

What Vocation Rally is all about?

Etymologically, Vocation comes from two Latin words which are “Vocare”, “Vocatio” which mean “to call, and a calling, a summons” respectively. Inferring from these two words, vocation can be seen as the calling or summoning of a person by God. In line with the definition is that of St. Ignatius of Loyola who said “Vocation is to find God in all things for the greater glory of God.”

As rightly said that this event was organized by the ASIA body, vocation Rally is a sacred moment or day organized by the Seminarians of Ibadan Archdiocese to help young ones pause, listen, and discern God’s call for their lives. Having in mind Jeremiah 29:11{The New Community Bible} which says: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for peace and not for disaster, plans to give you hope and a future.”  We as a body have seen this event so necessary to always do this every year, particularly in August, since most youths would be back from school and its activity. Also, in a world filled with noise (seen as fun), confusion (now called Identity crisis), and many voices telling us what to become, an event like this vocation rally is necessary, because it is one which seeks to help us find God and find ourselves in God.

Furthermore, the vocation rally is done in a parish across the different denaries of the Archdiocese on the same day and so for Igboora Denary, St. Rita Olowu, Igangan was chosen to be the parish for this year’s Vocation rally. However, five seminarians were sent for this holy assignment and they are: Brothers Joseph Eribo, Michael Okeleke, Justin Olalere, Michael-Angelo Obialo, and Patrick Ayankola. Moreover, when we got there, we were welcomed and an opportunity was made available for us to give a talk on Vocation, of which the Parish Priest of St. Rita Olowu, Fr. Victor Ugbor, helped to give a prelude, after which we were able to buttress, letting the people know the procedures of how to apply for diocesan priesthood of Ibadan Archdiocese, which is as follows;

1. Be a male who is 16-27years of age
2. For those just finishing secondary education, he must have a minimum of 5 credits with CRS as one of the subjects offered.
3. For graduate, his certificate [B.Sc. B.A etc]
4. A recommendation letter from The Parish Priest

Similarly, questions were asked by some parents, and some youths indicated interests, and they all received adequate answers. Parents were encouraged to support their children when they decide to be priests. They were also encouraged not to force their children into the priesthood.

Conclusively, in the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta who said “ I have heard Jesus say to me: ‘I thirst’. This is His vocation for me – to quench His thirst for souls.” Parents are urged to continue to guide their children into the call God seeks in their lives. May the good Lord continue to enrich Ibadan Archdiocese with young men who are willing to serve God in the priesthood, Amen.