Vox Pastoris · Homilies & Reflections
Voice of the
Shepherd
Homilies preached at solemnities, feasts, pastoral visits, and ordinary time — gathered for meditation and study.
Chapel Dedication
Read →HOMILY AT THE DEDICATION OF THE CHAPEL OF BLESSED IWENE TANSI MAJOR SEMINARY, ONITSHA
By Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke (Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha) Given at Blessed Iwene Tansi Major Seminary, Onitsha 21-10-2023 DEDICATION OF THE CHAPEL OF BLESSED IWENE TANSI MAJOR SEMINARY, ONITSHA 1. SOME CLARIFIC…
Priestly Anniversary
Read →HOMILY AT THE 40TH PRIESTLY ANNIVERSARY OF MOST REV. JUDE THADDEUS OKOLO
MAY YOU SEE THE GLORY OF GOD! Why Anniversaries? An anniversary is the annual recurrence of a date marking a notable event. (anniversarius – returning yearly; annus, year + versus, vertere, to turn). In our special case…
Reflection
Read →IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE (GAL 2:20FF)
(Priestly Ordination Homily by Archbishop Valerian M. Okeke September 26, 2020) Introduction: St. Paul declared in his epistle to the Galatians "it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me" (Gal 2:20). This sta…
Reflection
Read →THE BEAUTY AND SPLENDOUR OF CONSECRATED LIFE
(Homily of Archbishop Valerian Okeke @ final Profession of immaculate Heart Sisters, Basilica of the most holy trinity, onitsha. 5th September 2020) The life of the Consecrated is a blessing to the church. It is one of t…
Episcopal Installation
Read →INSTALLATION OF MOST REV. PETER OKPALEKE
HOMILY AT THE INSTALLATION OF MOST REV. PETER EBERE OKPALEKE, BISHOP OF EKWULOBIA "I HAVE LOVED YOU AS THE FATHER HAS LOVED ME" (JN. 15: 9FF) GREETINGS AND REMARKS Today, still in the joy of Easter Season we have gathere…
Archiepiscopal Installation
Read →INSTALLATION OF ARCHBISHOP IGNATIUS AYAU KAIGAMA
Solemn Assumption of office of Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama As Archbishop of Abuja. FEED MY LAMBS. TEND MY SHEEP (Jn 21:15-17) We have gathered here today to mark a historic event. The Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja i…
Reflection
Read →IN THE HOUSE OF GOD THERE ARE NO OUTSIDERS
IN THE HOUSE OF GOD THERE ARE NO OUTSIDERS In the house of God there are no outsiders, says the Archbishop, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke. He assures us that God is calling all of us as missionaries, as His real children. Nob…
Chapel Dedication
Read →Dedication of Chapel of Divine Mercy, Pope John Paul II Major Seminary, Awka
Feast Day
Read →CORPUS CHRISTI
CORPUS CHRISTI 2008. THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (Year A, 2008). AKWU – UKWU: PASTORAL VISIT TO THE SPIRITUAL YEAR SEMINARY. The Readings: 1st Reading: Deut. 8:2-3, 14b-16a God feeds his peopl…
Synod
Read →LECTURE FOR ENUGU DIOCESAN SYNOD
Moral and Religious Education of the youths through Catholic Schools: Prospects and Challenges. +Most Rev. Valerian M. Okeke i. Some Clarifications and definition of Terms Lecture for Enugu Diocesan Synod. Every society…
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REASONS FOR THE LOVE OF MARY
TEN REASONS FOR THE LOVE OF MARY 1. INCARNATION: She gave birth to our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ (Luke 1:35, Matt 1:18). 2. EPIPHANY: She presented the child Jesus to the world through the Magi (Matt 2:11). 3. DOCTOR O…
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50TH PRIESTLY ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY OF MOST REV. EMMANUEL OTTEH
50th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination of Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Otteh @ The Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha. "MY SOUL GLORIFIES THE LORD, MY SPIRIT REJOICES IN GOD MY SAVIOR" LK. 1:46 Today as we celebrate 5…
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FINAL PROFESSION OF I.H.M. SISTERS
FINAL PROFESSION OF I.H.M. SISTERS 2010 AND 23RD SUNDAY, YR 3 THEME: COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS Readings: 1st Reading: Wisdom 9: 13-18 This poem declares the limitations of human wisdom. The realisation of human limitations…
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FEAST OF SS. PETER AND PAUL
FEAST OF SS. PETER AND PAUL @ BASILICA OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY, ONITSHA. 1. Remarks: Today is a great feast in the history of the Church. Traditionally, Peter and Paul are regarded as the founders of the Church in Rome.…
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FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY (YEAR A)
1ST PASTORAL VISIT AFTER BASILICA STATUS, (MAY 17-18 2008) THEME: "TRINITY OF LOVE INVITES US (TO PARTICIPATE)" Introduction: This is the greatest mystery of our faith. It tells us that God is Father, Son and Spirit, One…
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EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (2008 YEAR A) BLESSING OF AN ABBESS @ UMUOJI MONASTERY. Readings: Is. 60: 1-6. The exiles return to Jerusalem from Babylon to behold their city in ruins. The prophet cheers them up with a vision of r…
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INAUGURATION OF THE BASILICA STATUS
KICK OFF OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE BASILICA STATUS OF THE CATHEDRAL OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY, ONITSHA. SOLEMNITY OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEDICATION OF THE BASILICA CHURCH OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY. THE ORDINATION OF DE…
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TRIBUTE TO VERY REV. FR. NICHOLAS TAGBO
GRACE MIRROR: A TRIBUTE TO VERY REV. FR. NICHOLAS CHUKWUEMEKA TAGBO, OON 'Man fully alive is the glory of God'. These words of St Irenaeus of Lyons resound with much intense vibrations as we reflect, with Gratitude to Go…
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100 YEARS OF OUR LADY’S APPARITION AT FATIMA
MASS OF OUR LADAY QUEEN OF NIGERIA AS WE CELEBRATE NATIONAL MARIAN YEAR - IN COMMEMORATION OF 100 YEARS OF OUR LADY'S APPARITION AT FATIMA. WHY I LOVE MARY This year we are privileged to be celebrating with the Universal…
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PRAYER IS THE KEY
PRAYER IS THE KEY. Prayer is the key that unlocks all possibilities. Since many are the Amalekites (enemies of our true good) on our journey to the promise land, prayer should be on-going. For a Christian, prayer should…
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GOD IS COMING TO SAVE HIS OWN
GOD IS COMING TO SAVE HIS PEOPLE God is coming to save His people and establish them in new life of joy and blessings. This transformation sustains our hope. Therefore, have confidence in the Lord as we wait patiently fo…
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IMPOSSIBILITY IS NOT A PLACE TO STOP
IMPOSSIBILITY IS NOT A PLACE TO STOP IMPOSSIBILITY is not a place to stop. It is a starting point to overcome. Since God of possibilities is at your right hand nothing shall you fear. His favours rest on you by His speci…
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TRUE WORSHIP OF GOD
TRUE WORSHIP OF GOD True worship of God does not only consist of external rituals but stems from inner conversion of hearts to Christ. Hence, empty religiosity that exalts human traditions only replaces the sincere pract…
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FUNERAL OF BISHOP E. OTTEH
FUNERAL OF BISHOP E. OTTEH VIGIL MASS @ THE BASILICA OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY, ONITSHA. "Blessed are the dead who die in the lord", from now on, "yes" say the Spirit, let them find rest from their labours, for their good…
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BETWEEN GRACE AND GRATITUDE
BETWEEN GRACE AND GRATITUDE: LEARNING FROM THE SCHOOL OF MARY AND THE HOLY EUCHARIST INTRODUCTION As we complete thirty years in the Priesthood of Christ, there is need to look back with unreserved appreciation and deep…
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16TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A
PASTORAL VISIT TO OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE HOUSING ESTATE, FEGGE. THEME: "WEEDS AND WHEAT" 1. Readings: First Reading: Wisdom, 12:13, 16-19. God is the only one who has the knowledge and power to root out evil. Though, he…
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11TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A
11TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A @ HOLY FAMILY BROOKLYN, NY, USA. THEME: "GO AND SHARE GOD'S LOVE" Readings: 1st Reading: Ex. 19: 2-6. God brought Israel on eagle's wings to himself. "I bore you on eagle wings, and brought you…
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TENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A
TENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A @ ST. CATHERINE OF SIENNA, NEW YORK, USA. THEME: "OBEDIENCE AND TRUE DEVOTION MORE THAN SACRIFICE" Readings: 1st Reading: Hos. 6: 3-6. The prophet Hosea tells the people that liturgical prayer…
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NINTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR A
PASTORAL VISIT TO ALL HALLOWS' SEMINARY, ONITSHA. THEME: "BUILDING ON ROCK AND RENEWING OUR COVENANT." Readings: 1st Reading: Deut. 11:18-28. Moses urges the people to obey the commandments of God in order to obtain his…
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5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR A
5TH SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR A PASTORAL VISIT TO MARIST BROTHER OF SCHOOLS, NTEJE. The Readings: First Reading: Acts 6: 1-7. The growth of the first Christian community and the quarrel between Greek-speakng and Hebrew-speak…
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GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY
GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY (Fourth Sunday of Easter) INAUGURATION OF DIVINE MERCY DEVOTION IN ONITSHA ARCHDIOCESE Introduction: Today is traditionally known as the Good Shepherd Sunday. We pray for increase of vocations to the…
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BAPTISM OF THE LORD
BAPTISM OF THE LORD (YEAR A) PASTORAL VISIT TO CHRIST THE KING'S PARISH, ONITSHA Last Sunday, we celebrated the Epiphany. The Baptism of the Lord is one of his epiphanies, in fact the very first of his epiphanies. God ha…
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SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR A
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR A. PASTORAL VISIT TO ST. EDMUND'S NKPOR. Readings: First Reading: Is. 11: 1-10. After long waiting a new paradise will be enjoyed by all with the arrival of the offspring of David from the r…