BOSSS CELEBRATES FEAST OF VEN. LIBERMANN AND SWEARS IN NEW PREFECTS

By BOSSS Media | February 2, 2023

It was a triple celebration at BOSSS on February 2, 2023 as the Holy Ghost Fathers at BOSSS joined their counterparts in celebrating these events: the feast of the preservation of the lord, day for the consecrated life and the feast of Ven. Francis Mary Paul Libermann.

In a colourful Eucharist celebration presided by Rev. Fr. Jude Ekemgba, C.S.Sp. (principal) with concelebrated priests: Rev. Fr. Remy Onyeaghara, C.S.Sp. (the Homilist), Rev. Fr. Vincent Ibeh, C.S.Sp, Rev. Fr. Johnpaul Edoziem, C.S.Sp. Rev. Fr. Domnic Nnoshiri, C.S.Sp, and Rev. Fr. Chinedu Aneke, C.S.Sp. Also present at the Eucharistic celebration were the new school prefects to be sworn in with other students, teachers, and some of the PTA executives.

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Remy gave a brief history of the life and work of Francis Mary Paul Libermann, co-founder of the Spiritan congregation, who was born in France to a Jewish family in 1826 and later converted to Christianity. Despite suffering from epilepsy during his priestly training, he founded the congregation of the Holy Heart of Mary, which later merged with the congregation of the Holy Ghost to form the congregation of the Holy Spirit, under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, with the goal of evangelising the poor in Africa. Libermann became the congregation's first superior-general after the merge and preached about sacrifice, charity, and love. He died in 1852, and the Spiritans around the world commemorate his death on February 2 every year.

Also in his homily, he congratulated the newly elected prefects and urged them to see their appointment as a call from God to serve humanity. He also charged them to perform their duties with zeal and set a good example.

The hallmark of the event was the taking of oath of office and the decoration of the newly elected prefects by Mrs. Emilian Paul Emmanuel and Barr. Sir Don-Loho. The prefects pledged to carry out their duties with the best of their knowledge and skills.

In is his inaugural speech, the head boy Makbere Michael, on behalf of other prefects, expressed his gratitude to the Management, teachers, and students who trusted and voted them into office. He promised them that he and his team would set a good example for future generations to emulate.

Addressing the new prefects, Egbuziem Chidumebi, the outgoing head girl, advised the newly elected prefects to fasten their seat belts because the task ahead of them is not an easy one.  In the same vein, Mr. Ifeanyi Njoku (one of the staff) stated in an interview with the BOSSS media that the newly elected prefects should be active and carry out their duties in a dignified and orderly manner.

In a related development, Mrs. Emilian Paul Emmanuel, who spoke on behalf of the PTA executives, warned the new functionaries and parliamentarians not to use their position as an excuse not to study their books, but rather to improve their grades because to whom much is given, much is expected. She equally urged them to make good use of their time and not to use their office to bully other students or to plot revenge.

Rev. Fr. Vincent and Rev. Fr. Chinedu respectively prayed for God to grant the new prefects the wisdom to make sound decisions and the strength to carry out their duties diligently.

In his closing remarks and vote of thanks, the Principal, Rev. Fr. Jude, expressed his gratitude to the PTA Executives for gracing the occasion despite the scarcity of fuel, cash and bad roads. He also thanked the teachers and the students for their presence. Finally, he urged the new prefects not to let down those who had elected them.