Bodija inagurates its 2025/2026 Formation Session
The 2025/26 academic/formation year at SS. Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Ibadan, was formally inaugurated on 4th October, 2025. The day began with the Holy Mass at 8:00 a.m., presided over by Most Rev. Francis Adesina, Bishop of Ijebu-Ode Diocese, and concelebrated by 13 In-house Priests/Formators and 15 Priests/Formators from our sister houses of formation within and beyond Ibadan.SSPP Bodija
In his homily, Bishop Adesina called on the seminarians to approach the new academic year with renewed commitment to spiritual growth, discipline, and fraternity in line with the formation theme for the session. He reminded them that priestly formation is not a solitary pursuit but a journey undertaken in communion with others and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit through the Formators. He reemphasized that, as articulated in the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis, the seminarian is the protagonist of his vocation.
Following the homily, the Vice Rector, Very. Rev. Fr. Hubert Opara invited all Formators and staff members to take the Oath of Fidelity in accordance with the Magisterium of the Church.
With the dismissal of the Mass, the community assembled in the Seminary Auditorium for the Inaugural Lecture. The event began with a welcome address by the Rector, Very. Rev. Fr. Anthony Oluwagbemiga Igbekele, who expressed gratitude to the Bishop, In-house Formators, visiting priests, staff, and students for their presence and support. He warmly welcomed the new students to the Seminary, urging them to embrace their formation as sacred responsibilities entrusted to them by the Church. In his address, he outlined the programs scheduled for this academic/formative year and emphasized the formation theme – “Embracing authentic priestly formation through openness, communion, humility and fraternal commitment.”
The inaugural lecture, titled “The African Communitarian Self and Authentic Priestly Formation Today,” was delivered by Rev. Fr. Matthew Okpanachi Attah and moderated by Prof. Isaac Ukpokolo. An authentic priestly formation, he noted, must be built on the values of community life which mirror the African sense of belonging. His lecture was followed by a question-and-answer session, during which Bishop Adesina, Priests and seminarians shared thought-provoking and practical ideas on the topic.
The Inaugural ceremony concluded with the official registration of seventy six freshmen from 15 different dioceses and 9 different religious congregations, into the Year One Philosophy Class, marking the formal beginning of their academic/formative journey in the Seminary. In his closing remarks, Bishop Adesina conveyed his joy and gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the inaugural ceremony while also admonishing the new students and the Formators.
This great and memorable ceremony drew to a close with the closing prayer led by Fr. Daniel Koumah.