Grateful to God

Published: 13 November 2011
By: Selina Venier

Grateful: Justus Ezinwanne Igbo celebrates ordination to the transitional diaconate on November 4 in Holy Spirit Chapel, Banyo Picture: Alan Edgecomb

"A MAN of the Word" was ordained a transitional deacon in Brisbane archdiocese on November 4 in Holy Spirit Chapel, Banyo.

Holy Spirit Provincial Seminary rector Monsignor Tony Randazzo described Nigerian-born Deacon Justus Ezinwanne Igbo as such following the ordination Mass celebrated by Bishop Brian Finnigan.

"Today is a great celebration for the Church," Msgr Randazzo said.

"It's wonderful to see so many different faces ... (and) every single person who has spoken to me today has spoken of the calibre of the man who has just been ordained.

"He's a deeply passionate person for Christ."

Msgr Randazzo said Deacon Igbo, who will be ordained a priest in Nigeria next year, is "a man whose heart and mind is focused on ministry and service".

"There's a gentleness about him and I think that allows him to develop a pastoral intimacy with people," Msgr Randazzo said.

"They trust him.

"(And) I'm convinced he will be a very dynamic preacher.

"His great charism as a deacon now and a priest eventually is that he is a man of the Word."

Bishop Finnigan also recognised "a gentleness" in 28-year-old Deacon Igbo.

"He has a dignity about him and realises it's a privilege to receive the call of the Lord to serve Him in ordained ministry," Bishop Finnigan said.

During his homily, Bishop Finnigan spoke of the October ad limina visit of 36 Australian bishops to Rome.

"It's always important to be in the presence of the Holy Father because you have a sense of belonging to the universal Church," Bishop Finnigan, who was wearing for the first time a pectoral Cross given by Pope Benedict XVI last month, said.

"Justus, coming from Nigeria, also reminds us of the universal Church and how they've enriched us and hopefully, how we've enriched them."

Bishop Finnigan praised the formation Deacon Igbo first received from his parents and siblings.

"Justus was able to make this momentous commitment in response to the call of God because of the power of the Holy Spirit in his life which has been channelled to him by his parents and three sisters and one brother," he said.

"We remember and honour them today because of their contribution to his life."

He also praised the formation offered by the seminary and the support of the local faithful, especially those within the parishes Deacon Igbo had spent time.

Representatives from Redcliffe City, Sandgate-Brighton and Hendra parishes gathered for the ordination Mass, a testament to his placements.

Deacon Igbo was overcome by "feelings of gratitude" to God and those supporting him.

"Above everything else I have so much gratitude to God in my heart," he said following the Mass.

"This is the first step to making my dream come true and serving God as a priest."

Deacon Igbo's gratitude reflected a faith-filled upbringing.

"I am grateful to my parents who sewed that first seed of faith," he said.

"I got a lot of faith from my Mum especially.

"I am thinking of them today ... they wish they could be here."

Deacon Igbo said he looked forward to returning to Nigeria for his ordination and to meet two nephews and a niece who have been born since he left.

In the meantime he will continue as a transitional deacon in Brisbane, surrounded by the prayers of many.

"May Justus be a faithful minister of the Word, sacrament and charity," Bishop Finnigan said.

"(And) may he continue peacefully on the road of formation on his journey to ordination to the priesthood."