By Judith Chinememma Nwakonuche
Joy overflowed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral, Diocese of Aguleri, on Saturday, September 27, as Rev. James Chukwujekwu Aniwetelu was ordained a Catholic priest in a solemn and colourful ceremony that drew the admiration of the faithful.
The ordination, presided over by His Lordship, Most Reverend Denis Isizoh, was attended by priests, religious, family members, friends, and parishioners who gathered in their numbers to celebrate the new priest.
In his homily, Bishop Isizoh urged the ordinands to remain steadfast in faith and humility, reminding them that the priesthood was not a position of privilege but a divine call to service and sacrifice.
For Rev. Aniwetalu, the day was a testimony of God’s faithfulness. Reflecting on his journey, he declared that his ordination was not by accident but by providence, affirming that his path to the priesthood was the fulfillment of God’s will.
In his thanksgiving speech, Rev. Aniwetelu paid special tribute to his mother, whom he described as the pillar of his journey. He recalled that on the very day he was to sit for his entrance examination into All Hallows Seminary, he also lost his father. At that difficult moment, he said, his mother promised him that everything his father would have done for him if he were alive, she would do all of it.
Rev. Aniwetelu noted with deep gratitude that his mother had faithfully kept that promise, standing by him and ensuring that his dream and that of his father was fulfilled.
Family members and parishioners, visibly moved, described the ordination as not just a blessing to the Church, but also a powerful testimony of resilience, faith, and God’s providence.
Songs of praise, liturgical hymns, and cultural displays highlighted the celebration, creating a blend of spirituality and cultural heritage.
Alongside Rev. Aniwetelu, three other deacons – Rev. Thomas Chukwuebuka Eboh; Rev. Emmanuel Olisaemeka Isidienu; and Rev. Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu Egbunike were also ordained priests at the ceremony, adding to the blessings of the Diocese of Aguleri.
The ordination of the four priests is regarded as a beacon of hope for the Church and a reminder that God continues to raise men devoted to the service of His people.
