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A PILGRIMAGE OF GRATITUDE: THE SEAT OF WISDOM 2001 SET VISITS THE HOLY FATHER TO MARK THEIR SILVER JUBILEE 27TH–30TH APRIL 2026

In a spirit of thanksgiving and ecclesial fraternity, the 2001 Set of priests of Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri, began its Silver Jubilee celebrations with a pilgrimage to Rome and an audience with the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.

Conceived as a shared act of gratitude to God for twenty-five years of priestly ministry, the pilgrimage also served as a moment to commend the past, present, and future of the class to the Lord in prayer. Though some members were unable to travel due to unavoidable pastoral, family, and other commitments, they remained spiritually united with the pilgrims who undertook the journey on behalf of the entire class.

The Pilgrims

The twelve priests who made the pilgrimage were: Fr. Kelechi Maduforo (Nigeria), Fr. Emmanuel Anagwo (Nigeria), Fr. Anthony Chidozie Dimkpa (Nigeria), Fr. Clifford Chike Modum, SMMM (Germany), Fr. Nelson Ogwuegbu (Germany), Fr. Eugene Offor (Italy), Fr. Ernest Okonkwo (Italy), Fr. Peter Muojekwu (USA), Fr. Maurice Mmegbuadighimma (USA), Fr. Romanus Ike (USA), Fr. Paulinus Iwuji, SMMM (USA), and Fr. Aloysius Ochasi (USA).

Their presence in Rome reflected not only personal commitment, but also the enduring bond of fraternity formed at Seat of Wisdom Seminary and strengthened through years of priestly service in different parts of the world.

Arrival in Rome

The pilgrims arrived in Rome on Monday, 27th April 2026, through Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport and were accommodated at the Centro Internazionale di Animazione Missionaria (CIAM). After lunch and some rest, they visited notable landmarks of the Eternal City, including Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum.

The opening day combined historical reflection with fraternal reunion. The evening closed with dinner, conversation, and thanksgiving for a safe arrival, setting a prayerful and joyful tone for the pilgrimage.

Prayer at St. Peter’s

On Tuesday, 28th April 2026, the group celebrated Holy Mass at Saint Clement’s Chapel in the Vatican Grottoes, close to the tomb of St. Peter. The Mass, presided over by the class president, was a moving expression of gratitude for the gift of priesthood and the enduring bond that unites classmates in Christ and ministry. A reflective meditation during the liturgy deepened the prayerful tone of the celebration.

Intentions were offered for all members of the class, for Seat of Wisdom Seminary, for the living and deceased formators who shaped the class, and for all alumni and benefactors. Special prayers also rose for the continued fidelity, wisdom, and pastoral fruitfulness of every priest in the set.

After Mass, the group toured St. Peter’s Basilica, visiting major sites of spiritual and historical significance, including the Papal Altar, Michelangelo’s Pietà, the tombs of past Popes, and other notable features of the Basilica. The visit provided both spiritual enrichment and renewed appreciation for the beauty and universality of the Church.

Later that morning, the pilgrims were received by His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze, who warmly welcomed them and commended the unity of the class. He praised the decision to begin their Silver Jubilee with pilgrimage and prayer, and the meeting ended with cordial interaction, the signing of the visitors’ book, and memorable photographs.

The day continued with a guided visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. In the evening, the group shared a Nigerian meal generously provided by friends in Europe, a thoughtful gesture that added warmth to the day’s experiences.

Audience with the Holy Father

The high point of the pilgrimage came on Wednesday, 29th April 2026, when the group attended the Papal General Audience at St. Peter’s Square and had a special encounter with the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Seated close to the altar, the pilgrims were blessed with a personal moment of interaction that became the defining grace of the journey.

During the encounter, symbolic gifts were presented on behalf of the class, including a hand fan inscribed in honor of the Seminary and the 2001 Set, a traditional red cap, and a Mass intention. In return, the Holy Father presented the group with rosaries for pilgrims, a gesture received with profound gratitude and reverence.

Later, the pilgrims visited the Dicastery for Evangelization, where they were received by Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary for the Section of First Evangelization. He commended their fraternity and encouraged them to remain steadfast in priestly unity and mutual support. The day later concluded with fraternal fellowship over ice cream, followed by a communal dinner at an African and Igbo restaurant, kindly hosted by one of the pilgrims

Return and Jubilee Hope

By Thursday, 30th April 2026, all the pilgrims had left for their respective destinations, with heartfelt gratitude to God for His protection throughout the pilgrimage. A warm note of appreciation is due to Fr. Ernest Okonkwo, Professor of Canon Law at Urban University, whose thoughtful support in arranging the logistics of the trip greatly assisted the class.

This Rome pilgrimage stands as a grace-filled opening to the Silver Jubilee celebration of the 2001 Set. More than a visit to sacred places, it was a renewal of vocation, fraternity, and thanksgiving, undertaken on behalf of the whole class and in communion with all those who could not be physically present.

As the class now looks forward to its grand reunion scheduled for January 2027 at Seat of Wisdom Seminary, Owerri, this memorable journey to the heart of the Church will remain a lasting source of inspiration. May the Lord continue to bless and sustain every member of the 2001 Set in faithful priestly service.

Fr. Peter Muojekwu
Class President

A PILGRIMAGE OF GRATITUDE: THE SEAT OF WISDOM 2001 SET VISITS THE HOLY FATHER TO MARK THEIR SILVER JUBILEE 27TH–30TH APRIL 2026

STANDING OVATION AS 2000 SET VISITS ALMA MATER FOR SILVER JUBILEE

On 14th January 2026, the 2000 Set of Wisdom Alumni held a colourful celebration in Seat of Wisdom Seminary Owerri to mark the 25th anniversary of the priestly ordination of the members of the set. With joy the entire Wisdom family rolled out the best of what it can offer to celebrate with these her accomplished sons the silver jubilee of their priestly ordination.

The occasion, which took place in two phases, started with a pontifical high mass presided over by his Lordship, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo, the auxiliary bishop of Enugu diocese, a leading member of the millennium set, and the first bishop with Seat of Wisdom roots. The Mass, which began at 10:00 am, was attend by 18 jubilarians, 11 resident formators, tutorial and non-tutorial staff, and seminarians. At the beginning of the holy Mass, the Rector Magnificus, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Cajetan Ehiem welcomed the jubilarians to their Alma Mater and expressed the joy of the entire seminary at witnessing the first set of Wisdomites that celebrate their silver jubilee in their alma matter.

In his homily, Bishop Obodo expressed gratitude to God, who has seen them through the past 25 years in the priestly ministry. He also expressed his joy at this occasion that brought back to Seat of Wisdom where he enjoyed the best of academic and spiritual formation. He recalled a few unforgettable moments in his time as a seminarian and admonished the seminarians still under formation to be pilgrims of hope. The seminary formation, he explained, is preparing them to become something great in the future, just as it has done for him and his classmates.

One of the high points of this phase of the celebration was when the jubilarians introduced themselves – to the admiration of and applause by the seminarians and staff.

Afterwards, the jubilarians were accompanied by the Wisdom Igbaeze group to the refectory complex where the second phase of the celebration took place. With the Kola-nut ritual, the pater familias of Seat of Wisdom, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Cajetan Ehiem, ritualized, in the traditional way, the open arms of the Wisdom family in welcoming its sons, a welcome which was immediately afterwards put into music by Seminary Choir with the titles ‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You’, and ‘Kposhieme’. Following this was the presentation of address by the secretary of Student Council, Ugwurumba Christopher. There was also the presentation/cutting of the Cake by the jubilarians. A cultural dance display by the Abigbo cultural group of Seat of Wisdom entertained both hosts and guests at the occasion. Then, the occasion was capped by a sumptuous lunch sponsored by the jubilarians.

MILLENNIUM PRIESTS GIVE SEAT OF WISDOM NEW SHINE

The silver jubilee celebration of the 2000 set of Wisdomites in Seat of Wisdom Seminary Owerri is come and gone but its imprint in the seminary will last long. The jubilarians did not just let themselves be celebrated. They made the seminary feel the impact of their ‘homecoming’. As part of the preparations for their jubilee, they repainted their seminary gate, the landmark structure that has become one of the major symbols of the seminary, with a qualitative paint. The millennium priests also donated a cow to the seminarians and promised to help the seminary repair some parts of the hostels that are in urgent need of repair. The donations, which were announced by the president of the set, Rev. Fr. Dr. Francis Ndubuisi, included also 10 copies of a book written by the class on their experiences in the priesthood these 25 years and 10 copies of a book authored by one of the jubilarians, Rev. Fr. Dr. Christopher Nwanocha.

BISHOP OBODO REITERATES HIS RESOLVE TO PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN SEAT OF WISDOM SEMINARY OWERRI

During the recent celebration of the priestly silver jubilee of the 2000 set of Seat of Wisdom Seminary Owerri, the auxiliary bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo, reiterated his resolve to promote excellence in the seminary by rewarding those who excel in different aspects of the formation with a prize. He reminded the seminary of the pledge he made some years ago to sponsor awards for the best performing seminarian in the final exams of both the Philosophy and the Theology departments with a prize sum of ₦100,000 each. Included in this prize is also an award for the most hardworking farmer among the seminarians.