Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna Marks Silver Jubilee with the Priestly Ordination of 32 Deacons
A Historic Celebration of Grace and Mission
Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna, a beacon of priestly formation in Northern Nigeria, celebrated its 25th Anniversary (Silver Jubilee) with the priestly ordination of 32 deacons in a solemn and grace-filled liturgy held at the seminary grounds. On Thursday, 26th June, 2025.
The event, which took place in the presence of a large and devout congregation, was graced by the presence of over 500 priests, (comprising of alumnus and other priests from other dioceses and congregations) hundreds of Religious and Catechist, Bishops, and Archbishops from across the Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province and beyond, marking a significant milestone in the life of the seminary and the Church in Nigeria. His excellency the executive governor of Kaduna and Plateau State were equally present through their representatives respectively. Other religious leaders and Local chiefs were not left out, as well as rectors of other seminaries within the country. In attendance were the following bishops and archbishop; Most. Rev. Matthew Man’oso Ndagoso, Most. Rev. Martin Igwemezie Uzoukwu, Most. Rev. John Nyiring, Most. Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Most. Rev. Julius Yakubu Kundi, Most. Rev. Luka Sylvester Gopep, Most. Rev. Gerald Mamman Musa, Most. Rev. Habila Tyiakwonaboi Daboh. All were warmly welcomed by the Rector of the Seminary, Very. Rev. Fr. Joel Haruna Usman, PhD.
The ordaining prelate was His Excellency, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Section for First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches at the Dicastery for Evangelization in the Vatican. In his homily, Archbishop Nwachukwu exhorted the ordinandi to remain faithful to the mission of Christ and to be ministers of hope in a world in desperate need of light, service, and authentic witness. He exhorted them to be fishers of men. Just like Jesus instructed his disciples to go into the deep to catch fish. So they must go and do likewise. Fish men from the world and bring them to Christ, not to themselves. And like John the Baptist, they must direct people to Christ. So the center of their ministry must be Christ Jesus. Added to his exhortation, he noted that, the only way they can be Good Shepherds, is when they align themselves in obedience to the directives and shepherding of their local ordinary, the bishop who is the chief shepherd of their dioceses.
Also in attendance was His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, who joined other bishops and clergy in commending the seminary for its steadfast commitment to the Church’s mission of forming holy, learned, and pastoral priests.
The ordination ceremony was both a celebration of God’s faithfulness over 25 years of priestly formation and a prophetic witness to the Church’s vibrant growth in the northern region. The newly ordained priests are a fruit of years of dedicated formation, prayer, and pastoral preparation, and will now be sent forth to labor in the Lord’s vineyard.
We give thanks to God for the abundant blessings poured out during this momentous occasion and pray that the newly ordained priests will be faithful shepherds after the heart of Christ.
Ad multos annos to Good Shepherd Major Seminary, Kaduna!
Fr. Pascal Salifu
(Director of Communications, Sokoto Diocese)
26/06/2025