Reported By: OGUNTEGBE Paul Oluwafemi
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta, Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo, on Thursday, 5th October, 2023, during the inaugural Mass for the commencement of the 2023/2024 session, reminded both Formators and Seminarians of St. Albert the Great Major Seminary, that reliance on the Holy Spirit and centrality of Jesus Christ in all endeavors are foundational and fundamental to a successful formation session. Therefore, “allow the Holy Spirit to purify your thoughts and guide your actions”, he said.
The bishop encouraged the Seminarians to take all formation activities serious, for they may never get such opportunity as Priests. He also charged the Seminarians to stand on the existing tradition of the Church by learning about Christ and show Him to the world in various capacities. He advised the Formators never to allow division among them so as to safeguard the tradition of the Church with which they have been entrusted with, to handover to the younger generations.
Before the concluding rite of the Mass, there was the unveiling and blessing of the maiden edition of the Seminary Hymn Book, and the second edition of the Seminary Prayer Book.
After the Mass, the inaugural lecture for the session was delivered by Rev. Fr. Paul Amenaghawon, the Spiritual Director II, on the topic “The Relevance of Ignatian Spirituality to Seminary Formation.”