Arch Bishop Valerian bless new Mother Abbess of St Scholastica monastery Umuoji.
By Francis Okoye

The Metropolitan Arch Bishop of Onitsha,His grace, most Rev Dr Valerian OKEKE has administered the Abbatial blessing on Rev mother Mary Ruphina Chukwuka( OSB) as the new Mother Abbess of St Scholastica Benedictine Abbey Umuoji on Nov 17,2019.

The event kicked off with a Holy mass by the Arch Bishop,highlights of which included the Abbatial blessing of the new Mother Abbess and handing of the pastoral staff( shepherds staff) and ring to the new Abbess by the Archbishop.

In his sermon, Arch bishop Okeke told the faithful present that he would not say a homily but a short prayer for the new Abbess.He pleaded with all to join in prayers for her , so that the spirit of Christ as first given to our father Benedict be given to her.
He also prayed for her to have the spirit of St Benedict who wrote the rule of monastic life over 1000 years ago and is still in use till today without amendments in every monastery.He observed that even other religious communities like Moslems , Buddhist, Hindus and even atheists use the rule as a guide.
"We pray that God gives you a spirit of prayer like St Benedict. Prayer that moves mountains.Spirit that does the impossible."he prayed.

He called on Catholics to support the monastery financially,as they spend most of their time praying for the faithful.

Other dignitaries present at the event included HE Mr Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State,Governor Willie Obiano who was represented by Prof Kate Omenugha,HRH IGWE Dr Innocent Elochukwu Obodoakor Igwe of Agulu where the new Mother Abbess hails from and the Onowu of Agulu represented by Ichie Nnedu.

The new Mother Abbess promised to lead the Abbey according to the monastic rules.
The former Abbess ,Abbess emerita Rev Mother Margaret Mary Ngobidi (OSB),was full of thanksgiving for the celebration.she said" I am very happy for the occasion.How Gods mercy brought another Abbess after my tenure to continue the work.I will support her with my prayers"

St Scholastica Benedictine Abbey " Peace and Joy" is a daughter house of Benedictine Abbey of St John the Baptist in Rome.It forms part of the great Benedictine family which St Benedict started in the 6 th century at Subiaco, Italy.The monastery was built by his Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze in 1978 with 50 acres of land donated by the Umuoji community to the church.It was canonically raised to an Abbey in 1993,with late Rev Mother Patricia Alufuo (OSB )blessed as Abbess on August 21, 1994.

Note:New Mother Abbess with staff not wearing glasses.

May God fiil her with the spirit of St Benedict to love and practice poverty, chastity and obedience.