Spiritans of Southwest Nigeria Hold Seminar on Spiritan Spirituality

On Wednesday 22nd to Friday 24th of April, 2026, parish priests and heads of institutions of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers of the Southwest Province of Nigeria gathered for a significant seminar on Spiritan spirituality, at the Capuchin Retreat Centre, Ekiadolo, Benin City, Edo State. The seminar, moderated by Fr. Isidore Iwejuo Nkwocha, CSSp, focused on the Spiritan apostolate as envisioned through the lives and teachings of the founders, Claude Poullart des Places and Francis Mary Paul Libermann.

At the heart of the seminar was a renewed reflection on Spiritan spirituality- rooted in encountering God in the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized, and the less privileged. It is through this living relationship with God that the Spiritan mission finds its true meaning. As a congregation dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, participants were reminded of the call to embody Mary’s virtues in their missionary outreach, embracing both deep interiority and a practical union with God.

The seminar also created space for sincere self-examination. Participants were invited to reflect on essential questions: What have I done well in my spiritual journey, and where have I fallen short? How have these affected my apostolate and fraternal life in community? In what ways can I build on my strengths and correct my shortcomings? These reflections aimed at fostering personal renewal and a deeper commitment to the Spiritan vocation.

More than just a meeting, the seminar served as an ongoing formation experience-sharpening the missionary focus of each confrere, strengthening communal bonds, and inspiring every Spiritan community to become a visible witness to the life of Christ in the world.