Feast of the conversion of St. Paul

 Feast of the conversion of St. Paul

My turning point

"I asked, ‘What shall I do, sir?"

 (Acts 22:3-16)

Beloved, there is a significant question in responding to God's call, one that no longer seeks your plans, your dreams and aspiration, but God's. 

That question is,

 ‘Lord, what do you want me to do?.’ It was Paul's turning point, St. Francis of Assisi's too, and yours it shall be if you let Him.

Good morning and happy feast

-Gerald Nwogueze, OFM Cap.

Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, Priest and Monk (5 Lessons to Learn from Him)

Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, Priest and monk, Patron of Nigerian Priests (born in Aguleri, Anambra State, Nigeria in September 1903 died in Leicester, England, January 24, 1964) was an Igbo Nigerian ordained a Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria on December 19, 1937. He worked in the parishes of Nnewi, Dunukofia, Akpu/Ajalli and Aguleri.

Tansi did not only live a contemplative life, he also engaged in active ministry. As a pastor and Father, he did the normal day to day function of a shepherd, but with extraordinary love and dedication. 

We Nigerian parish priests or brothers and sisters engaged in pastoral works can emulate his love for his flocks, evangelize the youths, teach them faith and morals, counsel couples preparing for marriage, visit the poor, sick, be a good confessor and promote vocation to the Priesthood and religious life by our examplary life of charming purity, simplicity and prayer,  when necessary as St. Francis of Assisi would say, use words.

As we celebrate his feast day today, we ask for his intercession and guidance while we pray that his canonization process may be hastened for the greater glory of God. Amen. 

-Gerald Nwogueze, OFM Cap.

Sites consulted: 

Google, Blessed Iwene Tansi: The patron saint of Nigeria's democracy @20 www.thecable.ng