The opening ceremony of the Golden Jubilee celebration of Saint Joseph Major Seminary Ikot Ekpene was marked with great joy and solemnity. The celebration began with a Holy Mass presided over by the Chief Celebrant, Most Rev. Dr. John Ebebe Ayah, the Catholic Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Uyo. In his homily, the bishop reflected on the significance of fifty years of priestly formation at the seminary, describing it as a testament to God’s faithfulness and the dedication of those who have nurtured vocations over the decades. He encouraged seminarians to remain committed to their calling and to embrace authentic leadership in the service of the Church and society.
According to bishop Ayah, the seminary stands as a visible sign of God’s faithfulness, having formed numerous priests who now serve the Church in different dioceses and communities. He emphasized that the success and growth of the seminary over the past five decades were not merely the result of human effort but primarily the work of divine providence guiding the Church’s mission of forming shepherds after the heart of Christ.
The bishop also acknowledged the dedication and sacrifices of those who have contributed to the seminary’s growth over the years. He made special reference to past rectors, formators, spiritual directors, lecturers, benefactors, and the many bishops who supported the seminary’s vision and mission. Their commitment, he noted, helped to nurture and guide generations of seminarians who have gone on to become faithful ministers of the Gospel. He reminded the congregation that priestly formation is not only an academic journey but also a spiritual process that shapes the heart, mind, and character of future priests.
Addressing the seminarians directly, the bishop encouraged them to recognize the privilege and responsibility of their vocation. He reminded them that the call to the priesthood is a sacred gift that requires dedication, discipline, humility, and perseverance. Seminary life, he said, is a period of preparation where they must cultivate a deep relationship with God through prayer, study, community life, and pastoral service. He urged them to take their formation seriously so that they may grow into priests who are compassionate, wise, and faithful to the teachings of the Church.
The bishop further stressed the importance of authentic leadership in the life of a priest. In a world often marked by moral confusion and social challenges, he said the priest must serve as a moral guide and spiritual shepherd to the people of God. True leadership, he explained, is not about power or prestige but about service, sacrifice, and fidelity to the Gospel. He therefore called on the seminarians to model their future ministry on the example of Christ, the Good Shepherd, who came not to be served but to serve.
Concluding his homily, the bishop invited everyone present to continue praying for the seminary and for vocations to the priesthood. As the institution celebrates fifty years of existence, he encouraged the faithful to remain hopeful and supportive of the mission of priestly formation.
He expressed confidence that with God’s grace and the continued collaboration of the Church, the seminary will keep producing dedicated priests who will serve the people of God with integrity, wisdom, and love for many years to come.
At the end of the Mass, the Rector of the seminary, Very Rev. Fr. Patrick Abem Idoko, delivered an address of welcome and gratitude.
AN ADDRESS BY THE RECTOR MAGNIFICUS ON THE OCCASSION OF THE GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF THE SEMINARY.
Your Excellency,
Most Rev. Dr. John Ebebe Ayah, Catholic Bishop of Uyo and Chairman of the Seminary Commission,
Msgr. Peter Inyang-Etoh, Pioneer Formator of SJMS,
Esteemed Members of the Formation Team,
Proud and Devoted Alumni,
Honored Guests, especially consecrated women of the HHCJ,
Beloved Seminarians,
Dedicated members of the Lay Staff,
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
With profound delight and gratitude, I welcome you all to this propitious and momentous event. We are assembled today, being the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ and Spouse of St. Joseph the Patron Saint of our Seminary, to inaugurate the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the existence of St. Joseph Major Seminary, Ikot Ekpene.
Fifty Years of existence is a significant period but it is not just a period that we are preparing to mark but a milestone of commitment to Faith, Formation and Service. It is going to be a whole year long event of celebrating the grace of God in our Seminary Community, made manifest in the nurtured Faith, cultured persons, formation of devoted Priests, Leaders and Faithful Christians for the Church and Society.
The journey of St. Joseph Major Seminary, the Natural Home, has been long, marked by sacrifice, unwavering commitment, crucibles of varied nature but of great transformation. From its humble beginnings, it has become a wellspring of critical minds, beacon of theological formation and experience of friendship, brotherhood and a convergence of cultures.
Today, we officially present for inauguration members of the Central Planning Committee entrusted with the role of steering the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of our Seminary. Membership of this committee is drawn from the formation team led by the Vice Rector, from the Alumni Body, from the Students’ Council and from the Lay Members of Staff.
Your Lordship, Chairman of the Seminary Commission, may I now most respectfully request that members of the Central Planning Committee for our Jubilee Celebrations be inaugurated as I invite them to step forward in front of the Sanctuary.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, the Chief Celebrant, Most Rev. Dr. John Ebebe Ayah, planted a Golden Jubilee tree at Saint Joseph Major Seminary Ikot Ekpene, marking the opening of the jubilee celebration. This act symbolized the seminary’s growth and development over the past fifty years in its mission of priestly formation. In his remarks, the bishop likened the tree’s gradual growth from a small seed to the seminary’s evolution, highlighting its role in nurturing vocations and forming dedicated priests for the Church. The Golden Jubilee tree serves as a living testament to the sacrifices and vision of those who have contributed to the institution’s development.
The bishop emphasized that the tree also symbolizes hope for the future. As it continues to grow and flourish, it reflects the seminary’s ongoing mission to prepare young men for the priesthood and to strengthen the life of the Church. The planting of the tree thus serves as a lasting memorial of the jubilee celebration
