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Nigeria’s Bigard Memorial Major Seminary “has achieved remarkable milestones”: Rector on Centenary Celebrations

By Abah Anthony John

Enugu, 19 November, 2024 / 9:48 pm (ACI Africa).

Since its establishment 100 years ago, Bigard Memorial Major Seminary has played an important role in the training and formation of Catholic Priests involved in Church ministry in Nigeria and beyond, the Rector of the national Major Seminary based in country’s Catholic Diocese of Enugu has told ACI Africa.

In the Monday, November 18 interview on the sidelines of the 12-day centenary celebrations set to conclude on Thursday, November 21, Fr. Albert Okey Ikpenwa shared some statistics illustrating the Major Seminary’s achievements, and lauded formators, who he said have been involved in the training of Catholic Clergy.

“In the last 100 years, Bigard has achieved remarkable milestones. Established as a commission House for Priestly formation, it has produced four Cardinals, 14 Archbishops, 37 Bishops, and thousands of Priests serving across the globe,” Fr. Ikpenwa said. 

Some of the notable alumni of Bigard Memorial Major Seminary include Francis Cardinal Arinze, the Vatican-based Nigerian Catholic Church leader, and Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke of the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia. Others are the late Dominic Ignatius Cardinal Ekandem and Cameroonian-born Christian Wiyghan Cardinal Tumi of blessed memory.

“These individuals and countless others trained at Bigard have significantly impacted the universal Church, local communities, and society at large,” the Rector told ACI Africa. 

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Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Enugu was founded in Onitsha in 1922 and officially opened in 1924. It was moved to the current location in Southeastern Nigeria in 1951. 

It was named after benefactors Stephanie and Jeanne Bigard, French mother and daughter, foundresses of the Pontifical Society of St. Peter the Apostle, who donated the funds for the main building.

In 1982, St. Pope John Paul II visited Bigard Memorial Major Seminary, the first Nigerian Seminary to receive such a guest. 

In the November 18 interview with ACI Africa, Fr. Ikpenwa called upon Seminarians at the Catholic institution to approach their Priestly training and formation with a spirit of dedicated service to God and His people. 

“As we celebrate 100 years of forming Priests, I encourage Seminarians to embrace their training wholeheartedly. Let the spirit of unity, holiness, and dedication to God’s service define their journey,” the Rector of Bigard Memorial Major Seminary, an alumnus of the same Institution where he completed his bachelor’s degree in theology in 1996 said. 

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He added, “The centenary of Bigard Seminary stands as a testament to the enduring importance of our faith, mentorship, and formation in preparing individuals to answer the sacred call to the Priesthood.”

The Nigerian member of Clergy of Enugu Diocese for which he was a Deacon in December 1995 and a Priest in August 1996 emphasized the need for the Major Seminarians at the 100-year-old Seminary to be continually aware of the central place that God plays in their vocational journey.

He said, “The vocation to the Priesthood is a call from God; nobody calls himself. When God calls someone, that individual must be willing to answer the call.”

“My message to Seminarians at Bigard and elsewhere is this: allow yourself to go through the process of formation with humility,” the Major Seminary Rector said.

Fr. Ikpenwa added, “When one undergoes this process, they emerge as a genuine person, ready to serve. Formation requires patience, humility, and holiness. Without holiness, it’s impossible to live a good Christian life, let alone become a Catholic Priest.”

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“Unity and holiness of life are critical during the formative years,” he said, and emphasized, “These virtues build the foundation for a successful Priestly ministry and must remain integral throughout one’s life.”

In the November 18 interview, the 57-year-old Nigerian Catholic Priest reflected on the process of Priestly discernment that he said starts off “with an inner stirring”. 

“A calling to the Priesthood often begins with an inner stirring, an unexplainable desire to dedicate one’s life to God and serve His people,” he said, adding, “This sense of call is usually accompanied by a growing interest in spiritual matters, active participation in Church life, and a sense of peace when engaged in acts of service.”

To those discerning a Priestly calling, Fr. Ikpenwa said, “Engage in regular prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and Bible study to deepen your relationship with God. Guidance from a trusted spiritual director, such as a Parish Priest or mentor, is invaluable in confirming the authenticity of this call.”   

“Discerning a vocation requires personal prayer and surrender to God’s will,” he reiterated, adding, “This means setting aside personal ambitions and being open to God’s unique path.”

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“Genuine signs of a call include perseverance through challenges, unwavering dedication to the faith, and a burning desire to proclaim the Gospel,” the Rector of Bigard Memorial Major Seminary since May 2015 told ACI Africa.

Set to conclude on November 21, the 12-day centenary celebrations of the 100-year Major Seminary have included the Seminary alumni get-together, entertainment sessions, symposiums, quiz competitions, cultural performances, music festivals, sports, blessing and opening of the new centenary hostel, centenary Eucharistic celebration and Ordination of Deacons, among others.

Abah Anthony John

Abah Anthony John is a Nigerian Journalist with great enthusiasm and interest for Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. He has vast experience in Print,  Electronic and Multi-Media Production.