The exigencies of the priestly state are indeed innumerable, as a priest is called and consecrated to be everything to all men, in relation to the salvation of their souls. The priest is expected to be a father to all, to rejoice with the joyful, to comfort those who mourn, to be strength to the feeble, to be light to those who are lost in darkness, amidst others, all of which are predicated on his state as alta Christus – another Christ. For, Christ was and is indeed all things to all men. However, very few realize that the priest is also human; one who has his moments of joys and pain, of strength and weakness, of hope and despair, to mention but a few. Hence, he also requires companion, attention, love and, above all, prayer. This, obviously, indicates the primary motive for the existence of the society of the Companions of Priests and Religious – to show love and pray for priests and religious all over the world.

The seminary community witnessed the yearly visitation of the members of this society on the 13th of May, 2018. The programme for the day began with the celebration of the Holy Mass, which was presided over by Rev. Fr. Joseph Iyamah. Inasmuch as the Holy Mass is itself thanksgiving – ευχαριστία – it also included a session at the end of the mass, when all the members of this association joyously offered their gifts in thanksgiving and appreciation to God. Thereafter, the members of CPR converged in the Seminary’s Lecture Theatre, where they had their general meeting and handover to newly elected officers.