Congregation Of The Brothers Of St. Stephen

Home
Nigeria
Onitsha
Congregation Of The Brothers Of St. Stephen

The Brothers of St. Stephen is a canonically erected Religious institute, founded by Francis Cardinal Arinze in the year 1975. The Brothers Of St.

St.Stephen is canonical erected Religious Institute founded by Francis Cardinal Arinze in the year 1975, with the PRINCIPAL AIM as the glory of God and the sanctification of the members. The SECONDARY AIM of the congregation is to prepare Brothers to foster Catechesis and allied church works in schools and our of schools, such as 1. Propagation of Faith. 2. Organizing Catechetical Institutio

ns and Allied Seminars For various Categories of people. 3. Giving Leadership and Inspiration to the Lay Categories of people.

07/09/2026

Happy 1st Anniversary of First Profession to our six dear Brothers! 🙏🎉

One year ago, on this very day, you stood before God and His Church and made your first profession, giving yourselves more deeply to the service of God and His people.

Today, we thank God for the grace that has sustained you throughout this first year. May He who called you continue to lead you, strengthen you in moments of trial, and give you the grace to remain faithful to your vocation.

Congratulations, dear Brothers. May your first “Yes” become a lifelong “Yes” to God. 🙏❤️
Happy 1st Profession Anniversary! 🎊

31/08/2026

Here is a picture of young Bishop Francis Arinze (seated) on the day of his episcopal ordination as Coadjutor Bishop of Onitsha on August 29, 1965.

Archbishop Charles Heerey C.S.Sp. of Onitsha was the Principal Consecrator while the two pioneering African prelates Archbishop John Kwao Amuzu Aggey of Lagos and Bishop Dominic Ignatius Ekandem of Ikot Ekpene were the Principal Co-Consecrators.

Francis Arinze was ordained a priest in 1958 at the age of 26.

In 1965, 7 years after his priestly ordination, he was appointed and ordained the Coadjutor Bishop of Onitsha at the age of 32.

In 1967, he was appointed the Archbishop of Onitsha at the age of 34.

In 1985, he was created a cardinal at the age of 52. He rose from being a Cardinal-Deacon to a Cardinal-Bishop.

In 2008, he retired as the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments and the Cardinal-Bishop of Velletri-Segni, after reaching the canonical age of 75.

He is a great gift to the Church. May God continue to bless and strengthen our Father Founder .🙏

29/08/2026

29 AUGUST — A DAY TO REMEMBER

On 29 August 1965, a 32-year-old Francis Arinze received episcopal consecration as Coadjutor Bishop of Onitsha Archdiocese. Sixty-one years later, that day remains an important part of the history of a man whose priestly and episcopal ministry has reached far beyond Onitsha and Nigeria.

Today, we look back with gratitude to God for those 61 years. We remember the young bishop of 1965, the Archbishop of Onitsha who followed, and the Cardinal who later served the Church in Rome. We pray for our Father Founder, His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze, asking God to preserve him in strength and good health and to continue to bless him with many more years. 61 years of episcopal ministry — Deo gratias!

22/08/2026

Today, 22 August, we joyfully celebrate the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the Congregational Feast Days of the Brothers of Saint Stephen. It is a beautiful occasion to celebrate our vocation under the maternal care of Mary, our Queen and Mother, whose humility, obedience and total surrender to God continue to inspire us in our religious journey.

On this special day, we entrust our Congregation, our Brothers, our apostolates and the entire BSS family to the loving intercession of Mary. May she continue to guide us closer to Christ, strengthen our fraternal bond and help us remain faithful to the mission entrusted to us. Happy Feast Day to all our Brothers and the entire BSS family! Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us. 🙏🌹

18/08/2026

REMEMBERING OUR DEPARTED BROTHERS❤️

During our just-concluded annual retreat, the brothers gathered in prayer for our departed brothers, commending their souls to the mercy of God. It was a solemn moment of remembrance and thanksgiving for the lives they lived, the sacrifices they made and the part they played in the history and growth of our Congregation.

Death reminds us that, despite the different apostolates we undertake and the responsibilities entrusted to us, our earthly journey has an end. As we prayed for those who have gone before us, we were also reminded of our own mortality. We are pilgrims, not permanent residents of this world. May the memory of our departed brothers inspire us to live our vocation faithfully, serve God with sincerity and prepare ourselves for the day when our own earthly journey will come to an end. May the souls of all our departed brothers, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

17/08/2026

A DAY WITH OUR FATHER FOUNDER: RENEWAL OF VOWS BY TEMPORARY PROFESSED BROTHERS

As part of the activities of our just-concluded annual retreat, the Brothers of the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Stephen spent a special day with the Father Founder, His Eminence Francis Cardinal Arinze, at St. Francis Xavier Fraternity, Nkwelle-Ezunaka. The day provided an opportunity for personal reflection with the Founder.

The programme began with a Holy Mass concelebrated by the retreat moderator, Rev. Fr. Augustine Oni, OFM Cap., together with our brother priests, Fr. Emmanuel Ndubuisi, BSS, and Fr. Cosmas Otteh, BSS. In his homily, His Eminence reflected on perseverance, reminding the brothers that religious vocation is not sustained by enthusiasm alone, but by fidelity, patience and a willingness to remain committed to God even when the journey becomes difficult. He encouraged the brothers not to allow moments of trial, disappointment or weariness to make them lose sight of the reason for which they gave themselves to God. True perseverance, he stressed, is expressed in remaining faithful when the initial excitement has passed and in continuing to serve God with sincerity through every season of religious life.

A significant moment of the celebration was the renewal of vows by the temporarily professed brothers, through which they reaffirmed their dedication to living the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience and to following Christ faithfully in the Congregation.

Following the Holy Mass, the brothers had a dialogue with the Father Founder, during which various matters were discussed. The day ended with gratitude to God for the presence of the Founder and for the grace of gathering as one family. May the Lord continue to preserve His Eminence and grant every brother the grace to remain faithful to his vocation with courage, humility and perseverance.

15/08/2026

The Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Stephen held its annual retreat from August 9 to 15, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Community, Nkwelle-Ezunaka. The week-long retreat gave the brothers time to step away from their usual activities and devote themselves to prayer, reflection and quiet examination of their lives and vocation.

The retreat was preached by Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Oni, OFM Cap., who took the brothers through the theme “Harmony.” His reflections touched on harmony with oneself, harmony within the community, harmony in apostolic work, and, above all, harmony with God.

The retreat also gave the brothers the opportunity to reflect on some of the realities they encounter in their daily lives as members of the Congregation. Through prayer, conferences and moments of sharing, the brothers were encouraged to look inward, understand one another better and pay closer attention to their relationship with God and with those they live and work with.

The Congregation appreciates Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Oni, OFM Cap., for accompanying the brothers throughout the retreat and for the thoughts and lessons shared with them. We pray that the experience of these days will remain with the brothers as they return to their various communities and apostolates, helping them to live with greater peace, understanding and closeness to God.

27/07/2026

HIS EMINENCE, FRANCIS CARDINAL ARINZE DELIVERING A SPIRITUAL TEACHING AND ADDRESSING MEMBERS OF THE WOUNDED MESSIAH PRAYER COMPANION.

26/07/2026

HIS EMINENCE FRANCIS CARDINAL ARINZE PAYS VISIT TO ST. THERESA'S PARISH, 3-3 MBA FARM, AND THE PROPOSED SITE OF FRANCIS CARDINAL ARINZE SECONDARY SCHOOL PHASE II, TRANS-NKISI

Onitsha, Anambra State | Sunday, July 26, 2026

St. Theresa's Parish, 3-3 Mba Farm, was agog on Sunday as the parish community welcomed one of the Church's most respected pastor, His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze, who visited the parish to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

His Eminence was warmly received by the Parish Priest, Fr. Emmanuel Ndubuisi, BSS, as priests, Religious Brothers and Sisters, and parishioners gathered in their numbers to celebrate with him.

In his homily, Cardinal Arinze reflected on the Gospel of the day (Matthew 13:44–52), where Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a hidden treasure and a pearl of great price. He reminded the faithful that the Christian life calls for making the right choices and placing God above everything else. He urged them not to become so attached to worldly possessions that they lose sight of eternal life. "When you discover Christ, you have found the greatest treasure," he said, encouraging everyone to remain faithful to God in every circumstance.

The celebration drew Priests, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Stephen, Br. Charles Okeke BSS, Religious Sisters and Brothers, and a large gathering of the faithful. After the Mass, His Eminence interacted briefly with parishioners during which he responded to questions, sharing moments of fellowship before receiving gifts presented by different groups, families, and societies. The colourful cultural displays that followed added to the joy of the occasion and reflected the rich traditions of the parish community.

After the parish programme, His Eminence, alongside some members of the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Stephen, led by the Superior General, proceeded to the proposed site of Francis Cardinal Arinze Secondary School Phase II, Trans-Nkisi to see the ongoing development. The land also serves as the prayer ground of the Wounded Messiah Prayer Companion, whose members welcomed him with great joy. The Spiritual Director of the ministry, Br. Charles Basil Agbaka BSS, expressed his happiness at receiving the Cardinal on his maiden visit to the site and the ministry.

While at the prayer ground, Cardinal Arinze gave a brief reflection on the Holy Mass, reminding members that the Eucharist remains the centre of Christian life and the source of strength for every believer. He encouraged them to remain faithful in prayer and steadfast in their commitment to God. He then prayed with the members and blessed them. Before leaving, he took time to look around the proposed school site and expressed his happiness with the progress made so far in preparing the land for the project.

The visit ended on a joyful note, with many expressing gratitude for the Cardinal's presence and fatherly encouragement. For both the parish community, members of the Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Stephen, and the members of the Wounded Messiah Prayer Companion, it was a memorable day of prayer and fellowship while the Cardinal's visit to the proposed school site offered encouragement to all those working to bring the project to fruition.

Br. Arinze Longinus, BSS

22/07/2026

Brotherhood is one of God's greatest gifts. It teaches us to pray together, work together, support one another, and journey towards holiness as one family. We are grateful for the grace of this vocation and for every opportunity to serve God and His people. May He continue to strengthen our bond of fraternity and keep us faithful to the mission He has entrusted to us.

fans

Address

Basilica Of The Most Holy Trinity
Onitsha

Telephone

+2348166225062

Website

http://Bsstephen.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Congregation Of The Brothers Of St. Stephen posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Place Of Worship

Send a message to Congregation Of The Brothers Of St. Stephen:

Want your place of worship to be the top-listed Place Of Worship in Onitsha?