Nigeria Vocationists

04/10/2026

A Day of Amazing Grace🙏🏽✨

Yesterday, 3 October 2026, was truly a beautiful and memorable day for the Society of Divine Vocations (Vocationists), Nigeria Quasi-Province.

At St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ikorodu, Lagos State, we witnessed the joy of the Church as one of our brothers, Rev. Philip Chidubem Obi, SDV, was ordained a Deacon, while four of our brothers received the sacred priesthood:
Rev. Fr. Fabian Chigozie Mbanu, SDV
Rev. Fr. Nicholas Omumuawuike Nwachi, SDV
Rev. Fr. Ernest Galadima Ephraim, SDV
Rev. Fr. Thomas Unimke Ogah, SDV

The ordination was presided over by His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of Lagos, who ordained these sons of the Vocationist family and entrusted them to the service of God and His people.

Behind every one of these new vocations are years of formation, prayer, sacrifices, struggles, support, and, above all, God's grace.
Yesterday was not simply the end of a journey; it was the beginning of a new chapter of service.

As they begin this new mission, may they always remember the One who called them and the people whom they are called to serve.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.” — John 15:16

Congratulations, dear brothers! ❤️

May your yes to God remain strong, joyful and faithful all the days of your lives.
Welcome to the altar, our brothers. Welcome to a lifetime of service. May Christ be your strength, your joy and your reward.

Ad multos annos! 🕊️✝️

04/10/2026

35 YEARS OF GRACE • MISSION • SERVICE • VOCATION

Today, as the Society of Divine Vocations (The Vocationists), Nigeria Quasi-Province celebrates 35 years of God’s faithfulness in Nigeria (1991–2026), our hearts overflow with gratitude.

We sincerely thank all who have supported and sustained the Vocationist mission throughout these years. To those who have contributed to the formation and training of our Brothers, supported our priests in challenging missions, and stood by our various apostolic works—we are deeply grateful.

Our heartfelt appreciation goes to our wonderful Friends of St. Justin, our benefactors, collaborators, and the many generous people who continue to support our lay apostolates and works of evangelization.

To the parents and guardians who have entrusted their children to our schools, thank you for believing in our mission of education, formation, and integral development.

We remember with profound gratitude our past Delegates Superior, Community Superiors, Parish Priests, Parochial Vicars, and all our esteemed confreres—both perpetually and temporarily professed. Your sacrifices, commitment, prayers, and dedication have helped carry the Nigeria Mission to greater heights.

To every hand that has served, every heart that has believed, every prayer that has been offered, and every sacrifice that has been made: THANK YOU.

One thank you is not enough—so we say, THANK YOU ALL! 🙏🏽

As we celebrate 35 years, we look back with gratitude, stand today with renewed commitment, and look forward with hope to many more years of raising vocations, forming souls, and serving God and His Church.

May God, through the intercession of Our Lady of Divine Vocations and Saint Justin Maria Russolillo, continue to bless, strengthen, and prosper the Vocationist mission in Nigeria.

35 Years of Grace.
35 Years of Vocation.
35 Years of Service.
35 Years and Still Growing!

Saint Justin Maria Russolillo, pray for us.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph

03/10/2026

14/09/2026

Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Look, he is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed- and a sword will pierce your soul too -- so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.'
~ Luke 2:34-35

“Mary died in spirit through a love unlike any other since his."
~ St. Bernard of Clairvaux.

Our Lady of Sorrows - Pray for us 🙏

HAPPY MEMORIAL ☦

14/09/2026

Today, as the Church exalts the Holy Cross of Christ, we joyfully celebrate our own Very Rev. Fr. Jeffery Mary Onyinye of the Exaltation of the Cross Nwoke, SDV, on his feast day.

Your religious name is more than a title, it is a profound reminder of the mystery you are called to embody: the Cross that leads to victory, sacrifice that bears fruit, and love poured out in service of God and His people.

As you continue to shepherd, serve, and inspire the Vocationist family as our Provincial, may the Exalted Christ remain your strength in every cross, your wisdom in every decision, and your joy in every moment of service.

May the Cross of Christ continually speak through your life, and may your ministry continue to bring forth holy vocations for the Church and the Kingdom.

May the Lord bless your priesthood, strengthen your vocation, renew your zeal, and grant you many more fruitful years in His vineyard.

Ad multos annos, Father!
Happy Feast Day!
Happy Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross!

01/08/2026

MESSAGE OF THE QUASI-PROVINCIAL ON THE FEAST OF ST. JUSTIN MARIA RUSSOLILLO (Founder of the Society of Divine Vocations)

To all the Confreres, Vocationists Sisters, Vocationist Cooperators, Lay Associates, Benefactors, Friends of St. Justin, and all the Faithful of the Nigeria Quasi Province.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

"Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:38)

With hearts overflowing with gratitude to the Most Holy Trinity, I joyfully greet you all as we celebrate the liturgical Feast of St. Justin Maria Russolillo, our Holy Founder, Apostle of Vocations, faithful servant of the Church, and tireless witness to the infinite love of God.

Today is more than the commemoration of a saint; it is the celebration of a charism entrusted to the Church. In St. Justin, Divine Providence raised up a shepherd whose life became a living response to Christ's plea for labourers in His vineyard. His priesthood was wholly consumed by a passionate love for God and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that every divine vocation was discovered, nurtured, protected, and brought to its fullness.

St. Justin contemplated every human person as a masterpiece of God's loving design. He saw in every child, every young person, every family, and every Christian community the seed of a vocation waiting to blossom. For him, no vocation was insignificant, no soul was forgotten, and no sacrifice was too great if it helped even one person respond generously to the call of the Divine Master.

His enduring legacy reminds us that the promotion of vocations is not merely one apostolate among many; it is the very heartbeat of the Church's mission. The Church flourishes wherever men and women courageously embrace God's call with generosity, fidelity, and joyful perseverance.

As Vocationists, we have inherited this sacred mission. We are called not only to pray for vocations but also to become living witnesses who awaken, accompany, and sustain vocations through our holiness of life, fraternal charity, pastoral zeal, and unwavering trust in Divine Providence. Every community, every parish, every school, and every family should become fertile soil where vocations can be heard, welcomed, and nurtured.

Our Founder constantly reminded his spiritual sons and daughters that holiness is the first and most effective vocation ministry. Before our words can inspire others, our lives must radiate the beauty of a joyful and faithful response to God's call. The credibility of our mission depends upon the authenticity of our witness.

As we celebrate this great feast, I invite each member of our Nigeria Quasi Province to renew the grace of your own vocation. Let us rediscover the joy of our first "yes" to the Lord. Let us strengthen our communion with Christ through prayer, the Eucharist, the Word of God, and faithful observance of our vocation. Let us renew our commitment to the Vocationist mission with fresh enthusiasm, confident that the One who calls never ceases to accompany those whom He has chosen.

I also entrust to the intercession of St. Justin Maria Russolillo all those discerning their vocation, especially our aspirants, seminarians, young people, and families. May they have the courage to listen attentively to the voice of the Lord and the generosity to answer Him without fear.

In a special way, I thank all our benefactors, collaborators, Vocationist Cooperators, Lay Associates, and friends who share in our mission through your prayers, sacrifices, encouragement, and generous support. You are true partners in the apostolate of vocations, helping to build the future of the Church.

As pilgrims of hope, faith and compassion during this Jubilee Year of St. Francis, may the spirit of St. Justin inspire us to become ever more convinced that every vocation is a precious gift, every soul is infinitely loved by God, and every generous response enriches the whole Church.

May Our Lady of Divine Vocations, who accompanied our Holy Founder throughout his life and ministry, continue to protect our Congregation and obtain for us the grace of perseverance, fidelity, and missionary zeal.

May St. Justin Maria Russolillo intercede for us, so that, like him, we may become joyful apostles of vocations and faithful builders of the Kingdom of God.

I wish each one of you a grace-filled and joyful celebration.

Happy Feast of St. Justin Maria Russolillo!

With fraternal affection, prayerful best wishes, and my priestly blessing,

Very Rev. Fr. Jeffery Onyinye Nwoke, SDV
Quasi-Provincial
Nigeria Quasi Province
Society of Divine Vocations

07/06/2026

Qui manducaverit Corpus meum et Sanguinem habebit vitam in se, dicit Dominus.
Mass of the Body and Blood of Christ @ Our Lady of Divine Vocations Chapel, Inu-Odi, Oloje, Ibadan.

24/05/2026

Veni, Sancte Spiritus, et imple corda fidelium!
Mass of Pentecost at Our Lady of Divine Vocations Chapel, Inu-odi, Ibadan.