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| Peregrinacion de seminaristas de Enugu al Santuario en Ibadan, Nigeria Pilgrimage of seminarians from Enugu to the Shrine in Ibadan, Nigeria Wallfahrt von Studenten aus Enugu zum Heiligtum in Ibadan, Nigeria |
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| Todo el grupo frente del Santuario The entire group by the Shrine Die ganze Gruppe am Heiligtum |
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| Historia: comienzos del Santuario History: founding time Geschichte: Anfänge des Heiligtums |
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| Historia: la Mater conquistando el terreno y los corazones History: the MTA conquering land and hearts Geschichte: die MTA erobert ihr Land und viele Herzen Fotos: Kistler © 2007 |
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NIGERIA, Paschal Agor/Michael Ogbu. Two priests and thirteen seminarians from Enugu (Eastern Nigeria) visited the Mother Thrice Admirable for the first time in the Shrine at Ijokodo. They were representing a group of forty-five Schoenstatt seminarians who travelled over six hours in order to experience a place of grace and to make contact with the community. Even though two days was too short, the pilgrims described the encounter as a great step and springboard towards their mission of spreading the Schoenstatt Movement in Nigeria.
It was a landmark event and a memorable experience as the Schoenstatt members of St. Bernard Seminary Hostel Nchatancha Nike Enugu, Nigeria, made the two day pilgrimage to Ibadan. The primary focus of the pilgrimage was to visit and pray at the Shrine of Our Lady at Ijokodo in Ibadan - the only Shrine in Nigeria at present. The warm reception by the Schoenstatt seminarians and priests was noteworthy. The pilgrims especially thanked Frs. Fred Kistler and Ivanhoe Allies, two priests who were present for their visit.
She conquered innumerable hearts in order to work there as the Educator of peoples
The seminarians were awestruck to be in a Shrine for the first time and to learn the history of how Schoenstatt made it’s way to Nigeria. The MTA picture for the Shrine was brought to Nigeria in the Fall of 1997. Before arriving in Nigeria, many Schoenstatt communities had prayed in the prescence of this picture. Those who brought the picture to Nigeria went there in the attitude of Barak (Judges 4,8): ”If you go with us, I will go. If you don’t, I won’t.”
The MTA went with them, making pilgrimages to different places. Conquering her chosen land inch by inch until finally, Her Shrine was dedicated in 2004. More important than conquering the land, She conquered innumerable hearts in order to work there as the Educator of peoples, molding hearts into hers. The corner stone of the Shrine proclaims what was experienced: PRO VICTORIA MATRIS TER ADMIRABILIS – for the victory of the Mother Thrice Admirable. It was for Her victory, this Shrine was built in West Africa; from here, a growing Schoenstatt family wants to spread the Victory of the MTA in Africa, especially for the education of forming ‘new persons’ for Africa.
The seminarians were gratified by the MTA’s work in the foundation history of Schoenstatt in Nigeria; there hearts opened for the Practical Faith in Divine Providence.
Other places of interest on the pilgrimage included a tour to the famous Bower's Tower, University of Ibadan(UI), University College Teaching Hospital (UCTH),the Dominican Community, S.S Peter & Paul Major Seminary Bodija, and the Redemptorist community that were all located in Ibadan.
World Youth Day experiences continued
Fr. Adolphus Anuka spiritual director of the Seminary of the Enugu diocese was part of the Schoenstatt Group from Nigeria that participated in the Youth Festival in Schoenstatt, preceeding World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne, Germany. The fire of love for the Shrine was kept burning… through regular meetings of the Schoenstatt seminarians. The Rector of the Seminary , who studied in Bonn, Germany, travelled frequently to Schoenstatt. As a result, there was favorable attitude toward Schoenstatt at the Seminary.
Edition: amj