Twenty Marist novices from West Africa and Nigeria Provinces took their first vows
Twenty Marist novices from the Marist International Novitiate, in Kumasi – Ghana (aka Marist Formation Centre, Sabin-Akrofrom) made their first profession on the 12th of June, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Trede, about 2 kilometres from the Novitiate Community.
The Brothers who made their First Profession were Br. Alladoum Aime (Chadian), Br. Dingamadji Franklin (Chadian), Br. Br. Gregory Oppong (Ghanaian), Br. Kouassi Konan Jules (Ivoirian), Br. Nsom Clovis Njini (Cameroonian) and Br. Wirsiy Clinton Berla (Cameroonian). All from Marist Province of West Africa. Others were Br. Akalite Emmanuel Paul, Br. Ebokpo Mark Ben, Br. Eze Christian Emeka, Br. Ezenwamba Godwin Somtoo, Br. Iorbee Mathias Tarwanger, Br. Ndife Chigozie Innocent, Br. Ngamefule Claret Chizoba, Br. Nor Bundebuun Felix, Br. Nweze Michael Chinedu, Br. Ogiri God’swill Vincent, Br. Omengui Saviour Ehinor, Br. Onozie Cyprial Chibuike, Br. Orugbala Nnabuike Callistus and Br. Ozour Jeremiah Chika. All are Nigerians from the Province of Nigeria.
The Profession ceremony took place within the context of a Holy Mass presided over by the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Obuasi, Very Rev. Fr. Godfred Appiah Marfo who was the special delegate of His Lordship, Most Rev. John Yaw Afoakwah, the Bishop of Obuasi Catholic Diocese. The Chancellor was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Peter Nkansah. Many priests, religious men and women, Novices of different Religious Congregations, invited guests, and parishioners of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Trede. The parents and relatives of one of the Brothers who made their First Profession who is a Ghanaian, Br. Gregory Oppong, were also present at the occasion.
The formators who help the young men to grow in all dimensions, and become useful to themselves, to the Institute and to the Church were Br. Yao Kouassi Kan Sylvain, the Master of Novices (Ivoirian, Marist Province of West Africa), Br. Clement Nwadike (Nigerian, Province of Nigeria), Br. Kevin Ngoran (Cameroonian, Marist Province of West Africa), Br. Eugene Ikenna Ezugwu (Nigerian, Province of Nigeria), Br. Daniel Taylor (Liberian, Marist Province of West Africa) and Br. Obinna Osuagwu (Nigerian, Province of Nigeria). It is worth highlighting that the Formation Team resolved to push through with the Formation Programme of these young and newly professed Brothers in spite of the global setback of COVID-19 Pandemic. Relying only on the Divine Providence, the formators moved ahead with the formation activities, making necessary adjustments here and there to ensure an uninterrupted formation of the Novices.
The social activities that normally take place during First Profession were not all observed because of the COVID-19 protocol of social distancing and other restrictions. Hence after the mass, there was no elaborate reception ceremony. However, the parishioners were given light take-away refreshments at the Parish premises while the Priests and the Religious and other invited guests had their refreshments in the Novitiate Community.
What was remarkable and significant about this year’s Religious Profession (the 33rd First Religious Profession) in the life of the Marist International Novitiate, Kumasi, was the greater number of Novices that made their first religious commitment. In fact, it was the first time in the history of the Kumasi Novitiate to have up to twenty (20) Novices pronounce their Religious Vows at a time.