On this day in which the Universal Church celebrate the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi, the entire Seminary Community of in-house Formators, the Superiors and Formators of Sister Religious Houses of formation, the external Academic Staff, Administrative Staff, as well as the Non-academic Staff of the Seminary and all Seminarians (both Diocesans and Religious),  gathered in the Seminary chapel for the Inaugural Mass, which officially signals the commencement of the 2023/2024 Academic/Formative Session. The liturgical celebration of the Holy Mass was presided over by the Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Osogbo, His Lordship, Most. Rev. John Oyejola. In his homily, Bishop Oyejola reminded the Seminarians the goal of Seminary formation, which is basically “the acquisition of skills and character necessary for a fruitful priestly ministry.” More so, the Inaugural Mass gave opportunity to all the Formators present to renew the oath of office and fidelity to Catholic teachings, doctrines and faith as they carry out their various responsibilities in the Seminary.

The second segment of the Inaugural ceremony took place in the Seminary’s Auditorium, where all gathered for the Inaugural Talk, which was delivered by Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Melchizedek Okpala, on the theme: The Allegory of the Cave: Configuring the Disciples to Christ. The talk was ably moderated by Prof. Isaac Ukpokolo from the premier University of Ibadan and our Adjunct Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy. While delivering the lecture, Fr. Melchizedek reiterated that Seminary’s formation is a sacred life-long journey which leads to being good disciples of Christ. Christ himself always initiates this call to discipleship as against the ancient Jewish tradition which the pupils chose their own preferred Rabbi (master or teacher). The Inaugural Ceremony ended with the unveiling of the Session’s Academic and Formative focus for 2023/2024 session: Christ our Model: Formation as a Journey of Discipleship and Configuration.