By Michael Nnebife and Ebube Edieh
On Friday, 13th September, 2024, the atmosphere at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Owerri-Ezukala in Orumba South Local Government Area, Anambra State, was solemn as the remains of the mother of Rev Fr Chigozie Jidere of Sacred Heart Chaplaincy, Ngozika Housing Estate, Awka, Mrs Lydia Mgbafor Jidere, were laid to rest at her Owerri-Ezukala country home, amid a throng of Catholic priests, religious, Anambra State top government officials, colleagues, associates, friends and well-wishers of the Jidere Family.
The Burial Mass, which took place at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Owerri-Ezukala, was presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor.
Speaking in a homily during the Mass, Bishop Ezeokafor eulogized what he described as the sterling virtues of Ma Lydia Mgbafor, especially her steadfast faith in God, exceptional brilliance, and exemplary trustworthiness, a virtue, he noted, that continually earned her the position of treasurer in all church organizations she belonged.
The Bishop thanked God for blessing her with the golden age of 84 and prayed for peaceful repose of her soul.
Recalling her befitting living against befitting burial philosophy, the prelate thanked the Jidere Family for the care they gave to their mother and charged the entire congregation that filled St Patrick’s Church to the brim, to obligatorily provide care to their aged parents or the needy elderly around them, in line with the Fifth Commandment.
Noting that life here on earth must come to an end, the chief shepherd of Awka Diocese admonished the congregation to live a holy life through good work and behaviour for an everlasting life in heaven.
He consoled the Jidere Family, especially Fr Jidere, urging them to take solace in the fact that their mother lived a good Christian life worthy of emulation and died in the Lord.
In a vote of thanks, Fr Jidere, on behalf of the family, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Ezeokafor; Bishop Peter Ebele Cardinal Okpalaeke of Ekwulobia Diocese; the throng of priests, religious, associates, friends and well-wishers, the in-laws of the Jidere Family, among others, for their solidarity.
While speaking with Fides shortly after the Mass, Fr Jidere described his mother as a humble, peace-loving, and prayerful woman, who put all her trust in God.
‘She believed so much in prayer; that’s why she often tells us that God is in control.
‘As a mother, she brought us together as a family, and always advised us to have the fear of God and serve Him in humility and sincerity,’ Fr Jidere said, and prayed for eternal joy in heaven for his mother.
Also speaking with Fides, a daughter of Ma Lydia Mgbafor, Uzoamaka, in tears, described her mother as a good woman, saying that she would like her to be her mother again in the next world.
In separate interviews with Fides, the President, Christian Mothers, St Patrick’s, Owerri-Ezukala, Mrs Angelina Ogbonnaya, and her CWO counterpart, Mrs Ozioma Ebosie, paid glorious tributes to Ma Lydia Mgbafor described her as a virtuous mother whose Christian faith and lifestyle were a source of inspiration to the organizations.
The women’s leaders advised Ma Lydia’s children to keep on the enduring legacies their mother left.
Condolence visits by the in-laws, associates, friends and well-wishers of the Jidere Family, followed the Mass, which came to a climax with interment at the family compound.
