Owerri: On 2 February 2026, priests, sisters, and religious men and women from 28 congregations gathered at Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, to mark the World Day for Consecrated Life. The occasion, celebrated with solemnity and joy, offered both a moment of reflection and a challenge to recommit to the radical simplicity and detachment that originally defined religious life.
Presiding over the Holy Mass, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri, addressed the assembly, highlighting the unique challenges faced by consecrated persons in Nigeria today. He urged religious men and women to return to the essence of their vocation a life characterized by humility, devotion, and freedom from material distractions.
In his homily, Archbishop Ugorji spoke candidly about how materialism has increasingly encroached upon religious life. “For us in Nigeria, detachment from material possessions must remain a central focus,” he said. “Even though we pledge ourselves entirely to God during religious profession, we often reclaim what we vowed through attachment to wealth and possessions.”
The Archbishop noted that struggles over material wealth within communities have disrupted harmony and sometimes led priests and religious to falter in their commitment to poverty. “The culture of ostentation challenges our fidelity to our vows, and many communities are not at peace because of it,” he emphasized.
Archbishop Ugorji drew inspiration from the Gospel of Luke (Chapter 2), highlighting the story of Simeon and Anna, the elderly witnesses who recognized the infant Jesus as the Promised One. He compared their spiritual vision to the African proverb: “What an elder sees sitting down, a young person cannot see even when standing.” The Archbishop reminded the faithful that such insight arises through purification, devotion, and a life wholly consecrated to God a model all religious are called to follow.
The Archbishop also reflected on the ongoing Year of Saint Francis of Assisi (10 January 2026 – 10 January 2027), encouraging religious men and women to emulate Saint Francis’ virtues, particularly his tireless pursuit of peace. “We need peace in our world, in our country, in our families, within our communities, and most importantly, in our hearts,” he said. “Let us pray that God grants the peace that the world cannot give.”
Echoing the Archbishop’s call, Father Anthony Agugo, a Claretian priest and president of the male and female religious association in Owerri, emphasized that consecrated life requires rising above cultural pressures and embracing the sacrifices inherent to their vocation.
Sister Eucharista Ezeobiukwu, of the Congregation of Jesus the Saviour and president of the Nigerian Conference of Women Religious (NCWR) in Owerri, highlighted the evangelizing power of consecrated life. “Through our witness to the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, religious men and women offer a visible sign of total dedication to Christ, which draws many into the faith,” she said.
The celebration concluded with cultural dances and a shared meal, reflecting the rich heritage of Nigerian communities and the joy that consecrated life brings to both the Church and society. The World Day for Consecrated Life in Owerri served as both a celebration and a call to renew commitment to faith, simplicity, and spiritual vision amid contemporary challenges.