This evening, Wednesday, September 4th, 2024, four Spiritan scholastics made their final profession at SS Mulumba and David Catholic Church in Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria. This significant event marked their perpetual commitment to the Spiritan life, mission, charism, and spirituality. The candidates—Francis Okonkwo CSSp, Peter Owolanwo CSSp, Precious Ohiambe CSSp, and Peter Osaluwe CSSp—took their final vows in the presence of the Provincial Superior of Southwest, Fr. Augustine Nwodo CSSp, alongside fellow Spiritan confreres and the Christian community.
After eleven years of rigorous seminary training, these men reached the point where they freely made their final commitment to the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. These three counsels are essential principles in Christian spirituality, especially for those called to religious life.
Poverty calls for a detachment from material wealth, fostering reliance on God and solidarity with the poor. Chastity involves a commitment to celibacy, allowing for a wholehearted love of God and others without exclusive ties. Obedience requires the surrender of one’s will to God, often expressed through submission to religious authority, reflecting Christ’s own obedience to the Father.
By embracing these counsels, the newly professed Spiritans are guided toward a deeper spiritual life, focused on eternal values rather than worldly concerns. This final profession marks the beginning of their lifelong journey of service, dedicated to living out these principles in the Spiritan mission and the broader Christian community.
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