Josephites ordain 'best and brightest'

By Macie Capote
Clarion Herald

After a four-year formation journey that took him far from his roots in Nigeria, Deacon Dominic Njoku was ordained June 1 as a priest for the Josephite order by fellow Josephite, Bishop Emeritus John Ricard. He is among three new Josephites ordained in the past year. 

The uplifting liturgy at Corpus Christi-Epiphany Church in New Orleans, culminated in a celebratory second line, highlighting the impact Father Njoku said he hopes to have on his community in New Orleans.

A new ‘watchman’

“Today we have a new watchman,” Bishop Ricard stressed in the homily. “Being a priest today is going to be challenging, but we are sending our best and our brightest (Dominic) to serve the people of this parish.”

Drawing parallels from the ordination’s first reading from the book of Isaiah to the role of a priest, Bishop Ricard said that much like Isaiah was anointed to bring glad tidings and heal the brokenhearted, Father Njoku will bring the Gospel to the people, liberty from their sins and lead his community to God. Citing the next chapter of Isaiah, Bishop Ricard described God appointing watchmen to defend Jerusalem’s walls.

Recognizing the obstacles ahead, Bishop Ricard urged the community’s support behind Father Njoku, comparing their efforts to the biblical story of Moses and the Israelites. Just as the Israelites held up Moses’ hands in prayer during the battle against the Amalekites, Father Njoku’s community is called to uphold him in his ministry, bolstering his efforts with their combined prayers and support.

“This new priest will need you to hold up his hands,” Bishop Ricard said.

Raised in the faith

Father Njoku grew up in a Catholic family where his mother led them in praying the rosary and reading Scripture. Being an altar boy and working so closely with priests is how he learned, at a young age, the importance of priestly ministry.

“I always saw priests differently, and I wanted to be like them,” said Father Njoku, who through his own prayer, was strongly encouraged by God to become a priest. “I knew I would be happy as a priest.”

In 2018, he came to the United States to pursue the Josephite priesthood. Father Njoku lived at St. Joseph’s Seminary, a Josephite seminary, in Washington, D.C. during his college years. Studies at The Catholic University of America, where he earned his Master’s of Divinity, strengthened his faith and equipped him with a deeper understanding of Catholic teachings and their effect on his daily life and the lives of the people he’s called to serve, he said.

Father Njoku also had to become accustomed to American culture, which he said is much different than the culture he grew up in.

“It’s very different, but I learned how to be effective in the ministry and how to be proud of my faith,” he said.

Father Njoku said that being a deacon alongside Josephite Father Kingsley Ogbuji and Father Henry Davis at Corpus Christi-Epiphany helped him put his studies into practice.

“A priest is ordained to work for the people, not just to celebrate the sacraments and go home,” he said. “They showed me how important the ministry is, and how important it is to work with the people and to be with them.”

While he is a little homesick, Father Njoku said he is confident in the support he has already received from his community at Corpus Christi and St. Augustine High School.

“Being away from home has been challenging, I miss my family and my friends,” he said. “But at the same time, God has placed me in the midst of wonderful people here who have helped me become a better person.”

Comforted by Jesus

Despite being anxious about the unknown, Father Njoku is comforted by the reality of the work he is doing and the strength God will provide to do it.

“It’s not about me, it’s about what God is calling me to do,” he said. “It’s not my ministry, it’s the ministry of Jesus.”

Becoming a Josephite priest allows Father Njoku to fulfill a lifelong desire to serve.

“I’ve always thought of myself as a missionary of proclaiming God’s Word to the people,” he said.

Father Njoku is among 60 Josephite priests in the world. He is assigned to Corpus Christi-Epiphany Parish as parochial vicar and St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, where he will teach and serve in the campus ministry. The welcoming spirit of both places has made him feel right at home.

“It’s been emotional for me, I feel a very deep sense of gratitude to God and to the people he has placed in my life,” he said.

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