Sacraments

As a way of living out Loyola Jesuit College mission statement, "…we strive to provide an intellectually challenging and spiritually enriching programme of study…", a team of Holy Child Sisters and Jesuit Scholastics organize programmes for sacraments every year. Presently the programme is being run by the following Catechists: Br. Chukwuemeka Okolocha sj, Br. Aloysius Abgo sj, Sr. Ebele Onoche shcj, and Sr. Tina Chikezie shcj. Annually, an average of two students are initiated into the catholic faith through Baptism.
ten students become communicants.
sixty students are confirmed.

Staff members also form part of the beneficiaries of these sacraments. In the past four years, some staff members have been initiated into the Catholic faith through Baptism. This Baptism permits them to become communicants. Some have also been received into the Catholic Church and confirmed Catholics, while others have had their marriages blessed in the Catholic Church.

These sacraments are programmed for only Catholics. Occasionally, some non-Catholic students and staff express their desire to benefit from these sacraments. In this case, the chaplaincy demands a written consent from the parents of the student or from the spouse of the staff as the circumstance permits. This is because the aim of the programme is not conversion to Catholicism but to enrich those who are born into the Catholic faith. It is usually a joy to see some of the beneficiaries of these sacraments both academically and spiritually balanced.

Here are the experiences of some of the beneficiaries of the Sacraments.

BAPTISM
Amoru Annette (Year 2)
Baptism has changed my life and I feel holier now and filled with the grace of God. I decided to be baptized in order to receive the Holy Spirit. This sacrament has also helped me to accept Jesus into my life.

Mr. Panis Abuto (Faculty Staff)
The Biblical saying that "unless you are born again with water and the Spirit, you will not enter the Kingdom of God" really inspired me to take my spiritual life more seriously. After my Baptism, I became closer to God. This sacrament has also
helped me to receive other sacraments such as Confirmation and Matrimony. My life can never remain the same again.

HOLY COMMUNION
Edet Helena (Year 2)
During my First Holy Communion classes, I learnt a lot about God. This intellectual knowledge of God has now been transformed into experiential knowledge of God in my life. Being a communicant has helped me to accept God as my personal saviour, become more prayerful and receive the grace of God.

Ikemba Ihejiahi (Year 2)
I was inspired to become a communicant by my sisters who received their First Holy Communion before me. Prior to my becoming a communicant, I was always irritable, angry and unfocused. After the Sacrament, the Holy Spirit has been helping me to be less irritable, less angry, more focussed and hardworking. This is partly because each time my effort fails me, I go to God for reconciliation through the Sacrament of reconciliation. I am happy and look forward to being confirmed.



INITIATION INTO THE CATHOLIC FAITH
Emeka Anigbo (Year 5)
Initiation into the Catholic Church is one thing I did that was very meritorious and commendable. Though it was quite a challenge at first, my Catechists, my Parents and mostly God led me through it successfully. My aim was achieved and my effort crowned with success. This initiation has helped me to build a cordial relationship with God. It has increased my faith in God and enabled me to realise the joy of being a true and healthy Christian.

CONFIRMATION
Tewase Viashima (Year 5)
Confirmation has served as my passageway into real Christianity. Through Confirmation, I have been able to understand baptism fully as well as the challenges of being a true Christian. I am therefore no longer a nominal but a true practising Catholic. Thanks to this Sacrament.

Olive Nwosu (Year 2)
At first when I joined the Confirmation class, my intention was mainly to get the Sacrament done to meet up with my parents' expectation. Gradually, with the help of my Catechism instructor, Sr. Tina Chikezie shcj, my intention changed. The Sacrament became more meaningful for me. Now, as a confirmed Catholic,
I feel that I have grown in the Christian faith, working as a soldier for Christ with the Holy Spirit behind me. I am happy and proud to be a confirmed catholic.

MATRIMONY
Mr. David Iriowen (Faculty Staff)
Although I was born into a non-Catholic faith, I discovered that I had not been faithful to services, yet I have been living and working in Catholic schools. I am glad that God gave me the serenity to choose to bless my marriage in the Catholic Church. Now, I take delight in attending mass. I experience greater peace of mind now than before. I am grateful to those who took me through the spiritual journey of becoming a catholic.

Catechists (2004)
Sr. Tina C. SHCJ	Br. Mekso O. S.J.	Br. Agbo A. S.J.	Sr. Ebele O. SHCJ