Ogun State, NIGERIA — It was a day of great joy and spiritual significance today at Christ the King Catholic College, Odelewo, Ijebu Ode, as four deacons of the Missionary Sons of Blessed Tansi (Tansian Missionaries) were ordained priests in a solemn ceremony.
The newly ordained priests are Rev. Fr. Vernatius Ndirimoha, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Odihi, Rev. Fr. Mathew Ekwochi, and Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ezugwu. The ordination was conferred by Papal Nuncio (Apostolic Nuncio) to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, and Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Ijebu-Ode, Most Rev. Francis Obafemi Adesina, who presided over the Eucharistic celebration attended by clergy, religious, family members, and faithful from across the Catholic Diocese of Ijebu Ode and beyond.
The ceremony was marked by deep reverence, prayers, and thanksgiving as the candidates committed themselves fully to the service of God and the Church. In his homily, the Papal Nuncio encouraged the new priests to remain steadfast in faith, dedicated to pastoral service, and committed to spreading the Gospel with humility and zeal.
The ordination Mass followed the traditional rites of the Church, including the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration, moments regarded as central to the sacrament of Holy Orders. The congregation responded with hymns and prayers, creating an atmosphere of deep spiritual reflection and celebration.
Founded by the late Very Rev Msgr Prof John Bosco Akam, the congregation began as the Missionary Servants of the Church (MSC). It was later renamed the Missionary Sons of Blessed Tansi after receiving diocesan recognition and becoming a juridical congregation within the Catholic Church.
The order is inspired by the legacy of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, a Nigerian priest known for his dedication to holiness, discipline and missionary zeal. Members of the congregation are committed to evangelisation, parish ministry and spiritual formation, particularly in underserved communities.
Saturday’s ordination highlights the ongoing vitality of Catholic vocations in Nigeria, where the Church has experienced steady growth despite social and economic challenges. It also underscores the role of indigenous congregations such as the Tansian Missionaries in nurturing local vocations and contributing to global Catholicism.
Family members, friends and well-wishers gathered in large numbers to witness the ceremony, many expressing pride and gratitude for the new priests. For the ordinands, the day marked the culmination of years of formation, study and spiritual preparation.
Speaking after the Mass, moderator of the congregation, Rev. Fr. Basil Oguata, expressed appreciation to the Papal Nuncio, the Bishop of Diocese of Ijebu Ode and all those who supported the congregation on their journey to priesthood.
As the newly ordained priests begin their ministry, the faithful were encouraged to continue supporting them with prayers as they take on the responsibilities of preaching, administering the sacraments and serving communities in need.
The ordination not only marks a personal milestone for the four priests but also highlights the continued growth and missionary commitment of the Tansian Missionaries in Nigeria and beyond.
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