35 years in God’s vineyard

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Bernard Balogun

On a day like this, it is important we go down memory lane, for purposes of historical perspectives.

35 years ago, the Catholic Church under the Chief Shepherd of the Lokoja Diocese (late Most Revd Dr Alexius Makozi – the Emeritus Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Portharcourt ), ably assisted by the then Auxilliary Bishop, (now known as John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan – Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese) graciously found you, Fr Balogun and two others, Frs, worthy to be elevated to the prestigious/Sacred Order of the Priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church.

35 years ago, you made that solemn vow to work in God’s Vineyard and to live a life of celibacy. You were relatively young, less than 20years at the time.

You insisted going to St Augustine Major Seminary in Jos. Not even the opportunity to study Civil Engineering fascinated you.

Does this young man understand what he wants to get into? I ruminated in far away Ibadan at the time. I had thought Enginneering was far more an attraction.

Our late mother said to me, he was not asking for your validation of his decision. Give support to his decision with prayers, mother
admonished.

Our dad had passed onto glory at this time. So we all looked up to mother for spiritual direction.

Looking back with nostalgia, there is no doubting the fact, he made a brilliant decision.

It has been 35 years of celibacy, of responding to the Spiritual needs of the people of God, of regular supplication, of confirmation & denials and constant interface with God.

I have no doubt, on a day like this, our late parents will be happy with you from their celestial realms and constantly intercede for you.

May our late elder brothers/sister (John & Patrick) & (Elizabeth) look down with compassion and spiritual direction.

My ardent prayers for you as you continue to work in God’s Vineyard: May you continue to find fulfillment in the Service to mankind and to our Creator, may God uphold you in His sanctity and purification always as you celebrate this significant milestone in your walking with the Church, wishing you the strength of a unicorn and blessings.

I beg each one of you reading this piece to remember Fr Larry Balogun in your prayers please.

Balogun, BenPino, writers from Abuja