15/04/2026
*ST. ANTHONY’S PARISH ZUMA HOLDS SOLEMN MEMORIAL MASS FOR LATE MRS. BENEDETH NNADI*
*ABUJA, Nigeria* – It was a sombre yet spiritually uplifting atmosphere at St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish, Zuma, Bwari Area Council, Abuja, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, as the faithful gathered for a Requiem Mass in honour of the late Mrs. Benedeth Nnadi. Mrs. Nnadi, affectionately known as *"MAMA FADA,"* was the mother of *Rev. Fr. Kenneth Nnadi, SDB, the Vice Rector of the Salesian Theologate Community in Bwari.*
The Parish, which serves as the primary apostolate for the Salesian Theologate, became a hub of communal mourning and celebration of a life well-lived. The liturgy drew a diverse congregation, including Salesian priests, brothers, and cooperators from various Salesian houses across Abuja, alongside the entire parishioners of St. Anthony’s, friends, and well-wishers who came to stand in solidarity with the Nnadi family.
The Mass was presided over by her son, Rev. Fr. Kenneth Nnadi, SDB. In a moving homily, *Rev. Fr. Dr. Norbert Attah* eulogized the deceased, describing her as a quintessential Christian mother whose devotion was a beacon of light. Fr. Attah noted that "Mama Father" led an exemplary life that served as the primary inspiration for her son’s vocation to the priesthood. He challenged the congregation to live out their Christian faith with such integrity and grace that it would naturally motivate others toward holiness and service to God.
The spirit of the Salesian family was palpable throughout the ceremony, reflecting the deep ties between the Bwari theologate and the local community. The presence of the Salesian cooperators further emphasized the collaborative mission of the order in the Federal Capital Territory.
At the conclusion of the Mass, the *Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Barnabas Shabayang,* who serves as both the Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s and the Dean of the Faculty of Theology at Veritas University, expressed profound gratitude to the attendees. He thanked the visiting clergy, the Salesian community, and the parishioners for their overwhelming support and prayers, noting that the large turnout was a testament to the impact Mrs. Nnadi had on those around her through her son’s ministry.
As *"Mama Fada"* begins her final journey, she leaves behind a legacy of faith and a son who continues to shepherd the flock in the Salesian tradition, a fitting tribute to a mother’s enduring prayer and example.
_-Jude Sdb_
Salesians of Don Bosco ANN Province