Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

The Congregation of St. Joseph as its customs celebrated its founder’s feast day, St. Leonard Murialdo with a lot of activities. It will be recalled that the Congregation held similar celebration in the month of March in honour of its Patron Saint, St. Joseph.

The activities for the Founder’s Feast Day started with a nine days Noveva; football match with the youths in the community, which ended 4-2 in favour of the Congregation’s team; and also program with the children on March 17, 2025.

As the feast day, May 18, falls on a Sunday this year, the celebration was shifted to Monday, May 19, 2025 when an Holy Mass was held as well as love feast; where everyone in attendance had a lot to chew, eat and drink.

At the Holy Mass that had Rev. Fr. Arnaud Aniou, CSJ as the Chief Celebrant, other Josephite’s Priests in the Ogbere Community, Namely: Rev. Frs. Justine Adeka (Superior), Nathaniel Okonta and Vitalis Ikechukwu as well as the Parish Priest of St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun concelebrated.

Others present included the Provost, Salesian Institute of Philosophy, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Eric Akinboboye SDB; the Spiritual Director for Salesians, Ibadan, Rev. Fr. Dominic SDB; the Confreres of the Congregation; Sisters of the Jesus the Saviour, Ogbere Community; Sr. Rita of Our Lady of Apostle; Parishioners of St. Anne, Ogbere and Mr and Mrs Ajakaye from the Congregation’s former parish in Ibadan, Maria Assumpta parish.

The homilist, who was also the Chief Celebrant, Fr. Aniou in his reflection said that the ideas, thoughts and actions of the Congregation’s Founder, who is one of the 19th Century Saints are still very relevant in our world today.

Fr. Aniou mentioned some of the Founder’s characteristics which included his experience of the merciful love of God from his youthful age; which made him to develop strong relationship with God; his expression of the love of God, which made him not to be selfish with God’s love by choosing the poor, the abandoned and the youths to share the love of God with through the formation of the Josephite’s Congregation and the sanctification of his own soul through paying attention to the needs of the poor beyond any tribe or boundary.

According to the homilist, St. Leonard Murialdo received and gave love freely, without interest. He was a saint but a simple man and that St. Leonard Murialdo wished that Christians today are also able to love in that way.

Fr. Aniou noted that in our world today love is losing face but added that the nature of a Christian is to love, even though it is difficult at times. He therefore prayed that St. Leonard Murialdo intercedes for all to experience the same kind of merciful love of God and also for the grace to be able to share that love with others.

The Superior of the Congregation in Ogbere Community, Fr. Justine Adeka, CSJ appreciated everyone present, Clergy, Religious and Lay faithful for joining in the celebration.

There was snapping of group pictures after the Holy Mass, followed by love feast that also included presentations of drama, cultural dance and songs by the Seminarians of the Congregation.

The Master of the Ceremony at the celebration, Bro Stephen Igwe had earlier welcomed everyone to the Community for the celebration of its Founder’s Feast day and prayed for journey mercy back to their various destinations.