The Congregation of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, Delegation of Nigeria, joyfully celebrated the First Religious Profession of four of its brothers following their period of Novitiate formation.

The solemn ceremony took place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Tutunwada, Lugbe, Abuja, in the presence of the parish community, invited guests, family members and friends of the brothers, Oblate seminarians, and other religious brothers and sisters who gathered to celebrate this significant moment in the vocational journey of the young religious.

The brothers who made their First Religious Profession are Brother Boniface Orseer, OMV; Brother Afen Julius, OMV; Brother Sule Michael, OMV; and Brother Boniface Ajor, OMV. The ceremony was presided over by the Delegate of the Congregation in Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Cyril Odey, OMV. .

Also concelebrating at the ceremony were several priests, including Rev. Fr. Gabriel Jonah Adanu, OMV, Rev. Fr. Daniel Damisa, OMV, Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Tutunwada, where the celebration was held. and the Novice Master, Rev. Fr. Jeremiah Irabor, OMV, who had accompanied and guided the brothers throughout their Novitiate formation

Serving as witnesses to the brothers’ profession were Rev. Fr. Cyril Odey, OMV; Rev. Fr. Daniel Damisa, OMV; and Rev. Francis Omeka, OMV, who stood with the brothers as they publicly expressed their commitment to religious life in the Congregation.

The First Profession of Religious Vows marks an important milestone in the life of every religious. Having completed their Novitiate formation, the four brothers now take a further step in responding to God’s call through the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience, committing themselves to God and to the service of the Church according to the charism and spirituality of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary.

Through their profession, Brothers Boniface Orseer, Afen Julius, Sule Michael, and Boniface Ajor expressed their desire to follow Christ more closely and to offer themselves generously for the mission entrusted to the Congregation. Their profession is both a personal response to God’s call and a public witness to their desire to live the Oblate vocation in fidelity to the Church and to the charism handed down by the Founder, Venerable Pio Bruno Lanteri.

The presence of the parish community, families, friends, seminarians, and other religious added a special dimension of joy and fraternity to the celebration. Their presence served as a visible expression of the ecclesial and communal nature of religious vocation, which is nurtured through prayer, accompaniment, formation, and the support of the Christian community.

As the four brothers begin this new stage of their religious journey, the Congregation entrusts them to the loving maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary and Mother of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. May she accompany them as they continue to grow in holiness, fidelity, humility, and love, and may their consecrated lives become a fruitful offering for God, the Church, and the service of souls.

The entire Delegation of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary in Nigeria rejoices with the newly professed brothers and their families, giving thanks to God for the gift of their vocation and praying that the grace of their First Profession may deepen their commitment to Christ and sustain them throughout their religious journey.

May their “yes” to the Lord continue to bear abundant fruit.

Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, pray for us.

Venerable Pio Bruno Lanteri, pray for us.