I am from Ezza-Ezekuna in Ishelu LGA of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. I was born and raised in a place called coal camp, and this is where some of the British miners resided in Enugu at the beginning of the 1900s. It is a huge, Catholic populated area and most of our activities happened within the context of the Catholic faith.
I think I started as an altar server at the age of 9.
A group of us loved the priest’s vestments and I can remember those days when we used to put on the old priestly vestments and check ourselves in the mirror. It was all for the fun of it, but little did I know that one day, I would be discerning that way of life. So, this is where it started.
Growing up in Nigeria, I worked with my father in the garage, repairing cars and doing that helped me to gain certain knowledge, not only about cars but also about life in general. After my secondary education, I was a schoolteacher for a while and later I studied philosophy in the Northern part of Nigeria.
Upon completion, I applied for the Diocese of Motherwell with the help of my cousin Fr Hilary who was supplying in the diocese that year. It was a real journey coming to the United Kingdom, embracing a new culture, language and weather.
Seminary life is fun though it has its challenges.
Sometimes it’s tough because you have to deal with many different strands of formation, including pastoral, intellectual, human, and spiritual. But in all, God’s grace has become even more visible, supporting me through every day.
My favourite times are always the social times, playing football, listening to Nigerian Highlife music in my room and I also enjoy the solemn office of the hours.
One of the challenges was getting up very early in the morning for meditation because I enjoy my morning nap, I struggled when I was new but, with time, it became part of me.
The impact of Seminary life cannot be over-emphasized. Oscott is indeed an enabling environment, which has the machinery in place to support us as we prepare for the priesthood.
What attracts me to the priesthood is the role priests play in the life of the Church, the willingness to serve others and the longing to deepen a relationship with Jesus in the blessed sacraments.
I am certain this is what God has called me to do and I am very happy doing it. I love the Catholic priesthood, God willing I will be a priest who is there for the people. It all started by me saying yes to the will of God and availing myself to priests who guided me in different ways.
Therefore, if you have that feeling or longing that God is calling you to this, that God wants you to serve his people, just start by saying yes to His will and you will see how His grace will support and lead you.
Remember to pray about it and allow God to direct you through other priests, which could be your parish priest, your spiritual director, or the vocational director in your diocese.
It’s a great feeling to be of service to humanity through the Church.