The Congregation of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary Delegation of Nigeria, joyfully welcomed three new novices into the Novitiate on Thursday, 10 September 2026, during an initiation ceremony held at the Chapel of the Lanteri Novitiate House, Suleja.

The three candidates, Emmanuel Ezema, Joachim Agbona, and Martins Okolie, were formally initiated into the novitiate in the presence of the other novices and the Novice Master, Rev. Fr. Jeremiah Irabor, OMV. The ceremony was presided over by the Delegate, Rev. Fr. Cyril Odey, OMV.

In his admonition to the new novices, Fr. Cyril encouraged them to approach the year of novitiate with openness and a sincere desire to learn. He urged them to be open to the teachings of the Congregation and to discover more deeply the spirit, charism, and way of life handed down by the Founder, Venerable Pio Bruno Lanteri.

He reminded the young men that the novitiate is not simply a period of preparation for religious profession, but a privileged time to encounter God more deeply and to discern and experience the gift of their vocation. He encouraged them to allow the year to become a blessing in their lives by being attentive to God’s action and by embracing wholeheartedly the formation offered to them.

“Grow in love, humility and faith,” Fr. Cyril urged the new novices. He further entrusted them to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, encouraging them to place themselves confidently in her hands and to allow her to accompany them throughout their journey of formation as Oblates of the Virgin Mary.

Emphasizing the importance of the year ahead, the Delegate Superior told the new novices to take the novitiate seriously. The year, he noted, is a significant period in their vocational journey.

The initiation marks the beginning of a new stage in the vocational journey of Emmanuel, Joachim, and Martins. As they commence this sacred year of novitiate, they are invited to discover more deeply the love of God, grow in the spirit of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, and allow themselves to be shaped according to the charism and spirituality of the Congregation.

The entire novitiate community joins them with prayer and fraternal support, entrusting their journey to Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, that this year may bear abundant spiritual fruit and strengthen them in their response to God’s call.