Prayers From Carmelite Monastery Sustaining Me – Archbishop Ugorji

JOSEPH ODOEKWU, KSM

The Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has stated that the prayers from the Carmelite Monastery of St. Joseph of Divine Protection have kept him alive to continue his current position as the Chief Catechizer of the people of God.

Ugorji disclosed this while delivering his homily during a 10 a.m. Holy Mass celebrated on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at the Carmelite Monastery along Wetheral Road, Owerri, where he was invested as Grand Patron of the monastery. Twenty-two other ardent Catholics were also invested as Patrons and Patronesses of the Monastery.

“Prayers from the monastery have kept me alive,” Ugorji said. “The task of being the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri is so enormous and highly demanding that I went to the Vatican to appeal that the responsibilities that come with my office be reviewed.”

“When I was Bishop of Umuahia, I was also overseeing Ahiara Diocese, but the combination of the responsibilities that come from both Umuahia and Ahiara Diocese is not comparable to the task I am performing now as the Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese,” he insisted.

The prelate, while appreciating the serenity, calmness, and full-time prayer commitment of the nuns at the Carmelite Monastery, stated that prayers from the devotees of the monastery have not only kept him alive but also given him the strength and courage to continue working as the Archbishop of Owerri.

The highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the plaque as Grand Patron of the Friends of the Carmelite Monastery to Archbishop Lucius Ugorji by the Chairman of the Group, Sir (Barr.) Benjamin Orji (KSM), who described the prelate as the most appropriate person for the position. Orji said the Archbishop’s fatherly role to the monastery has not gone unnoticed and has become a source of inspiration to them.

Also, the Metro Grand Knight (MGK) of the Owerri Metropolitan Council of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Sir Eva Njemanze, alongside two senators, Hon. Senator Osita Izunaso representing Orlu zone, Hon. Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi representing Owerri zone, and two members of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Eugene Dibiagwu and Hon. Ugonna Ozuruigbo OZB, and Imo State Honourable Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, were also invested as Patrons of the Friends of Carmelite Monastery.

Others invested as Patrons are HRH Eze Dr. Vitalis Uche KASA, Hon. Engr. Emeka Udokporo, and Prof. Philip Njemanze (MD). Thirteen Patronesses of the Friends of the Carmelite were also appointed: Hon. Elizabeth Ulunma Jude (JP), Dame Stella Achunine (LSM), Lady Elizabeth Ezenna, Mrs. Obianuju Nwaiwu, Lady Ngozi Orizu, Prof. Mrs. Oby Angel Nnamocha, Lady (Dr.) Judith Ogoh, Dr. Nkiruka Chinedu Anunaso, Prof. Lady Nkiruka Oly Alawuba, Ambassador Mrs. Juliet Obilor, Lady (Dr.) Monica Oluchi Osondu, Lady Ngozi Ezeanika (LSM), Mrs. Nkechi Njoku, and Dr. Mrs. Blessing Oby Azụbuike.

Commenting on the appointment, Sir Eva Njemanze who is one of the patrons described the appointment as a formal call to service and an opportunity to assist in ensuring the dedicated work of the nuns in the monastery is sustained.

While addressing the newly invested Patrons and Patronesses, Chairman of the group Sir (Barr.) Benjamin Orji (KSM) stated that the three main responsibilities expected of them are playing an advisory role to the group and nuns, extending their three T’s (Time, Treasure, and Talent) to the community, and periodically joining the association during their meetings, which take place in the second week of every month at the Carmelite Monastery.

Since its establishment in 1982, the Carmelite Monastery has provided a serene environment for nuns devoted to prayer, service, and simplicity, living a life free from worldly distractions.