This very picture is for me my best ever. Beyound the fact that it was taken on a special day, the picture is simply just cool. The cap on my head is an Igbo traditional wear, combining with the suite was such an unusual attire. That not withstanding, I still looked amazing on that.
Gradually we came to the end of our philosophical studies, but that wasn't the end of it all. Some of us who for one reason or the other will be leaving the religious life had to finalise our decision at that point, it was a decisive moment for each and everyone of us. Along side Asawale and Valentine, I had concluded within myself that I will not be futhering my religious formation. We began as a class of ten. Out of the ten of us, two were asked to leave the community at some point within our study years. Thus, only eight of us were able to graduate as philosophers. Though it was a moment of celebration, but it was also a time to say goodbye. Given the excitement that comes with the moment, many of us at that time do not yet realise that we shall be going our separate ways in no distance time.
The seven of my brothers and I. We all were in the same class as philosophers, and we are known as Barbara Cast Group by the community.
The Sunday after our graduation in school, we celebrated ourselves. First, we celebrated with the community. It was a very colourful and special day. As part of the celebration, we took charge of the liturgy of that day, we also bought some gifts [which we used as thanksgiving offering] for the community. It is indeed a awesome day, one that I will never forget. Still in the spirit of celebration, we were on that special day for the first time given the privilege to stay out as long as we want. Riding on two of the communities car, we left for cultural centre at about 4pm in the evening of that day. At first we chilled in the VIP session where we had few bottles of beer, but as the day got darker, we had to come out to the open space so as to watch the different performances that were being carried out on stage. Their was a steady high-life band on stage, while others were being called up to stage for their different unique cultural performance. The performances that were being carried out on that day were amazing, but then the party vibes was lacking.
At about 8 pm on that same day, we left cultural centre for a bar called A3. Unlike cultural centre, A3 is a partying and clubbing kind of bar. By the time we got there, the club was filled to the brim and party was at it's peak. Since we are religious and could not go into the club with kind of things going on their at that moment😀, we secured a position for ourselves outside of the club while we ordered some drinks and partied in our own little way. Sitting out there, we called some of our friends in school who are not seminarians to come over. In about five minutes, Henry along side his girlfriend and Patrick arrived A3. After partying, we arrived the community at about 1:50 am the next day.
As the day broke, the whole celebration and partying stuff was all over. Asawale who a native of Ibadan packed up his things and headed home. Gradually we started realising how real the situation is, we started coming to terms with the fact that we shall be going our separate ways. In two weeks time, only Reginald, Daniel, Emmanuel, Cyprian and Jeffery were left in the community; they were the ones who have decided to continue with the life. Jeff is the only one who had the balls to remain a religious up till date, the others all left after and within their noviciate. For three years now, I have never set my eyes on any of my religious. Even though many of us are no longer interested in the life, we all live in different city of Nigeria. The time I spent with those honourable men is a time I will never forget, and the memories with certainly never fade...
Daniel et Reginald
I am 