NIGERIA, Fr. Johnson Nellissery/mkf. During the covenant celebration on 18th of January, a missionary of the Pilgrim Mother was commissioned. There was a small congregation gathered around to join the celebration. Fr. Roman Haronska presided over the function and some new faces visited the Mother in the Shrine for the first time. The Pilgrim MTA, sent on January 18^th, is visiting among the families of customs’ officers.

After the celebration, an emergency call for help was sent to Argentina because, in the past, the Argentinean Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign had sent five packs, totaling 20 MTA pictures each, all of the correct size for our Pilgrim MTAs. The one used for the Pilgrim MTA sent out January 18, the first covenant day of 2006, was the last one of this stock and more people are waiting to become missionaries of the Pilgrim MTA.

Sion Anima, the first course of seminarians who completed their studies in Nigeria, left for Schoenstatt on January 18th for their tertianship with Fr. Peter Locher. The seminarians thus had their first encounter with Original Schoenstatt. They participated in the celebration of the presentation of the Sion tunic January 22^nd. Resisting the chilly, cold weather, they waited for an outdoor photo to be taken of them "for schoenstatt.de".

 Life around the Shrine

Fr. Chidi Osondu, the first Nigerian Priest of the Federation of the Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests, visited the Victory Shrine and celebrated his First Holy Mass. He was ordained a few months ago in the States and is now working there. He visited Nigeria to celebrate his First Mass with family and friends.

A group of Students under the umbrella of "Nigerian Federation of Catholic Students" from the nearby State School of Nursing and Federal Cooperative College came to the Shrine for a day of retreat. The day was framed by an hour of Adoration in the Shrine and the Eucharistic celebration at the end. The talk and workshop was moderated by Fr. Klaus who focused on the topic: "Today’s challenge of living a committed life as young Christians in a pluralistic society".

Joseph Kunav, one of the Nigerian students of our Community, flies to Burundi on 31st of January to do his practicum. With this practicum, he wants to build a bridge between the two African countries. He will have the chance to learn French and work in the vibrant Schoenstatt Movement in Burundi.

The association of male and female religious communities in the Archdiocese of Ibadan gathered in the Shrine on January 20^th for their regular meeting. Twenty-four members were present. They were very eager to know more about the Shrine.

English edition: Christi Jentz, Milwaukee/WI, USA