It is true that culture and faith are inextricably connected because a culture is always an expression of the faith which forms it. This truth found expression during the Izon Liturgico-Cultural Week celebration, held in the Seminary of Ss. Peter and Paul, Bodija, Ibadan, from the 17th – 23rd May, 2021. The Liturgico-Cultural Week celebration is the Seminary’s peculiar way of celebrating and appreciating the cultural heritage of the Nigerian people; a practical way of the application of the principles of inculturation, aimed at helping seminarians to learn, so that they may someday become the custodians of their different cultures as well as custodians of the liturgical life of the Church. The 3rd edition of the Izon Week celebration featured various activities ranging from the spiritual, intellectual, and social spheres. During the week long program, a football match was played between the seminarians of the Lagos and Abuja Provinces, combined, and those of the Benin Province, on the 18^th May, 2021, which ended in 2-2 draw. Furthermore, the celebration took an intellectual turn on Friday, 21^st May, 2021, with a lecture titled: “EVANGELIZATION AND ITS CHALLEGES IN THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IN THE DIOCESE OF BOMADI.” The lecture was delivered by Fr. Raymond Ogio, and moderated by Fr. Francis Mani.

One special character of the week-long program is the fact the Grand Finale of the celebration coincided with the celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost. Thus, the first phase was the celebration of the Holy Mass, presided over by Rev. Fr. Athanasius Kofa, who represented Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, MSP, Bishop of Bomadi Diocese. The Eucharistic Sacrifice took a grand style with the hymns, first reading, and some parts of the Mass rendered in Izon language, alongside a choir group from the Diocese of Bomadi. The second phase of the celebration took place in the Seminary auditorium, where various cultural displays, songs, drama, etc, were rendered. This session also had a mini-launching facilitated by Engr. Akpoyibo F. Ebiowei, in a bid to support the affairs of the Izon Liturgico-Cultural Group. Indeed the Izon week celebration for the 2020/2021 academic/formation session was a great success.