Amb. Edith ISIDAHOMEN

 

The Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan, was aglow with joy and thanksgiving on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, as priests, seminarians, religious, and lay faithful gathered to celebrate the 25th Priestly Ordination Anniversary of Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Young Aniaga, one of the longest-serving Formators in the Seminary.

 

The Mass of Thanksgiving, which took place at the Seminary Chapel, was presided over by the celebrant himself, with Fr. M. Chiaha as the homilist. The celebration drew members of the formation team, the Catholic Women Organization (C.W.O.) of the Archdiocese of Ibadan, and other guests who came to honour a priest widely known for his humility, simplicity, and dedication.

 

In his homily, Fr. M. Chiaha who revealed that the celebrant was once his own Formator reflected on the significance of the priestly vocation as a life of obedience and service. He described the day as a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God for the gift of a happy and faithful priest who has joyfully responded to God’s call through years of dedicated ministry.

 

Drawing from the readings of the day, Fr. Chiaha likened Fr. Aniaga’s life to the words of Sirach and the song of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

“One who sings the song of joy and blesses the God of all who in every way has done great things for him... one who, like Mary, responds to the beatitudes with a song of praise.”

 

The homilist further observed that the joy visible on the celebrant’s face reflected a deep life of prayer, simplicity, service, and pure love. He emphasized that the celebration was not merely about the virtues or achievements of Fr. Aniaga, but about God’s faithfulness and love, which sustains every priestly ministry.

 

“We magnify the Lord today not just because Fr. Young has persevered till now, but because even in his unworthiness, God has raised him so that through his priestly ministry, many souls will return to Him. Though a sinner, he is an angel of holiness,” Fr. Chiaha declared.

The Vice Rector, Fr. Hubert Opara, expressed profound gratitude to God for the celebrant’s many years of service to the Seminary, the Archdiocese, and the Church. Describing him as a man of peace and gentleness. He said: “For all the years I have known Fr. Aniaga, I have never heard him raise his voice at anybody or get annoyed with anyone.”

 

He urged all present to always celebrate God’s faithfulness in their achievements, noting that the day’s celebration was a testimony of divine grace and perseverance over 26 years of priesthood.

 

In his vote of thanks, Fr. Melchizedek Okpala praised the celebrant for his consistency in prayer, punctuality, humility, and simplicity. He described virtue as not a single act but a pattern of life sustained by constancy and grace.

 

“We are celebrating you with the hope that you will continue to be that example for us in the community,” he said. “To have spent a quarter of a century of your life for God is not a mean feat. We thank God for you and thank you for availing yourself.”

 

In his heartfelt speech, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Young Aniaga expressed deep gratitude to God and to all who have supported his priestly journey. He thanked His Grace, Most Rev. Gabriel ’Leke Abegunrin, Archbishop of Ibadan, and the Archbishop Emeritus of Ibadan, Most Rev. Felix Alaba Job, for their fatherly love and guidance.

He also appreciated the Rector of the Seminary, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele, for his care and support, and the Vice Rector, Fr. Opara, for his tireless contributions to the success of the celebration.

 

“Be rest assured that God appreciates all your contributions and all your gifts. I am truly happy—when I say I am happy, I mean I am happy,” he said joyfully. “Once again, I thank the Rector, Vice Rector, members of the Formation Team, students, Seminary workers, and everyone. I am very grateful. May God bless you now and forever.”

 

The Mass concluded with a joyful reception at the Seminary Auditorium, where colleagues, seminarians, and friends shared in the jubilee spirit. The event was a profound reminder of God’s faithfulness and the enduring joy of a life wholly dedicated to His service.