On Wednesday November 15, 2017, the Bigard family welcomed with great joy the representatives of the Catholic Women Organization of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province. The team of 26 women arrived at Bigard around 1:00 PM and joined the seminarians for Midday prayers. After the prayers, the Rector, Rev. FR. Dr. Albert Ikpenwa, warmly welcomed the guests on behalf of the Staff and Students of the institution. The joyful women led by Barr. (Mrs) Celine Ugwu (President, CWO Enugu Diocese), who visited with various food items, introduced themselves as Onitsha Ecclesiastical Provincial Catholic Women Organization represented by Catholic Dioceses of Enugu, Abakiliki, Nsukka and Awgu.
Speaking on behalf of the delegates, Barr. (Mrs) Celine Ugwu urged the seminarians to always listen to the still voice of God in prayer as they respect their formators. She also expressed how happy they were to be in Bigard as she said; ‘we are happy to behold your faces’. She also advised all to be of good behaviour and to anchor their faith in God. Finally, she thanked the Bigard College of Formators and encouraged the seminarians to remain entirely submissive to them.
After the brief speech from the leader of the team, the 26 delegates introduced themselves individually by name, the Dioceses they come from and the offices they hold in CWO. From the introduction one could gather that they are women from all walks of life with a variety of expertise, professions and experiences, including teachers in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, lawyers, traders, civil servants, etc.
Reuben Nnadozie, a fourth year theology student, while articulating sentiments of gratitude on behalf of the Bigard family, appreciated the efforts of the mothers as well as their consistent kindness and display of deep faith. Lastly, he assured them of the prayers of seminarians for their individual good, the good of their families and that of the organisation.
The Bigard Choir sang some traditional songs in praise of motherhood, while all seminarians chorused in jubilation as the brief ceremony was brought to an end with photoshots of the mothers with the Rector and Staff of Bigard.