A Legacy of Care: Holy Cross Cathedral Remembers Msgr.Omede at One-Year Memorial Mass


-By Ruben Mario Brodrick 

​Parishioners and clergy of Holy Cross Cathedral, Mission Road, Benin City, gathered recently to mark the one-year memorial mass in repose of the soul of the former Cathedral Administrator, The Late Rt. Rev. Msgr. Festus Omede.


​The solemn celebration was the main highlight of the day, with the Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Charles Omogiate, Dean of the Benin City Deanery, serving as the chief celebrant. Concelebrating were the current Cathedral Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. James Ogbeiwe, his Assistant, and Very Rev. Fr. David Ogun SJ, a Jesuit Priest and former parishioner who held a special connection to the late Monsignor.

 Also in attendance was Very Rev. Fr. Jerome Idebe, Administrator of St. Philomena Catholic Hospital and Parish Priest of St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church.

​Homily Highlights Compassion and Simplicity: 

​The memorial mass was significantly highlighted by the homily delivered by Rev. Fr. David Ogun SJ. He took the congregation on a heartfelt memory lane, recounting his long association with Msgr. Omede. Fr. Ogun narrated his first encounter with the late cleric in 1979 when he was a young deacon at the Cathedral.

 Their paths crossed again when Fr. Ogun served as a priest at St. Maria Goretti and St. Thomas Aquinas parishes.

​Fr. Ogun particularly emphasized the Monsignor's exemplary life of caring and simplicity, a quality consistently displayed even when Fr. Omede served as the Vicar for Priests in the Archdiocese.
​"Late Monsignor Omede was very compassionate as a person and was very concerned about the welfare and wellbeing of his priests," Fr. Ogun stated.

​He recalled how Msgr. Omede was always encouraging his fellow priests to "cool down and take things easy," highlighting his gentle and supportive nature.

​A Call to Sanctifying Grace:
​Beyond the tribute, Fr. Ogun stressed that the memorial mass was also a powerful call to action for all the faithful: to give thanks to God for the gift of life and to remain prepared for the Lord's call.
​He urged the Christ faithful not to live in fear, but rather "to lead a life of sanctifying Grace, a life of kindness" and any other virtue that glorifies God, especially since no one knows the exact day, time, or circumstances of their departure from this earth.
​Laity and Faithful Join the Remembrance
​The congregation showed up in large numbers to pay their respects. They were led by the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council Vice Chairman, Sir Andrew Agenmonmhen, alongside several past Archdiocesan Laity Leaders, including Mr. Anthony Anirah, Dr. Lady Christian Ijegede, and Mrs. Osewingie, who is the President of the Archdiocesan Nurse's Guild.

​The event concluded with a moving memorial Thanksgiving procession led by Rev. Fr. Michael Okpo and other Lay Faithful, ensuring the remembrance of Msgr. Omede's enduring spiritual and pastoral legacy.

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