I am pretty sure that, exercising the franchise of the tongue, Mazi Oderaigbo must have asked Mr. Samuel Ezenwuzie thus: “Nwokem, obu Fada ka ichoru ichi?” Nadis, as we call him, dispelled all such questions today as he went to the altar a few hours ago to wed Lorrita. What might once have seemed like a lingering curiosity among friends and acquaintances has now been laid to rest most beautifully and definitively – before God, His Church, and a joyful congregation.
To have seven priests for the ceremony within the Octave of Easter is not easy. It is both symbolic and spiritually significant, pointing to the grace surrounding the union. Two of the priests are Nadis’ brothers – the Ezenwuzies – a rare and touching blessing that added a deep familial and sacred dimension to the celebration.
The Mass was led by Fr. Maximus Muoneke, while the homily – succinct, rich, and deeply instructive – was delivered by Fr. Peter Obiaga. From the outset, Fr. set the tone with a song that captured the very essence and nuances of marriage. It was both reflective and instructive, preparing minds and hearts for what followed.
Reminding the couple that he would only reiterate what they had been taught during their marriage course, he began with a profound insight: “The sacrament of matrimony is the sacrament of maturity.” Indeed, a successful marriage demands not just love, but emotional intelligence, psychological balance, patience, and responsibility. Love must grow beyond feelings into a disciplined commitment.
Father then addressed four groups: To the woman (Lorrita): Respect your husband. Look at his face; do not allow external advice, do not allow anybody to tell you about Sam. A woman is the architect of what the family turns out to be – guide your family. His counsel was clear and firm, urging her to build her home with wisdom, discretion, and inner strength, reminding her that true respect goes beyond words into a conscious commitment to honour the man she has chosen.
By asking her to “look at his face,” he called her to always return to the sincerity of their love and the clarity of her choice, especially in difficult moments. He cautioned against the influence of outsiders whose opinions can quietly erode trust, stressing that a stable home must be protected from unnecessary interference. As the architect of the family, she bears the noble responsibility of shaping its direction, tone, and character through patience, insight, and quiet strength, ensuring that the home they build together remains a place of peace, unity, and enduring love.
To the man (Nadis): respect your wife – patience, be a father to her, tolerance. Do not allow anybody to tell you about your wife. In these words, Father emphasized leadership through love, urging Nadis to show patience and understanding, protect the sanctity of his home, and care for his wife with responsibility. He reminded him that true strength lies in restraint, loyalty, and emotional steadiness, calling him to create a secure and loving environment where trust is preserved, and the family can grow in unity.
To both: pray together, and God will always answer you. Let the hug of today remain throughout your life. Keep your misunderstandings to yourselves; resolve them amicably. This counsel, perhaps the most central, reminded them that prayer is the anchor of every successful Christian marriage, urging them to make God the foundation of their union while preserving the warmth and closeness they share today. He encouraged them to handle their differences with maturity and discretion, resolving issues privately and peacefully, knowing that unity, forgiveness, and mutual understanding are indispensable pillars for a lasting and harmonious home.
To the congregation: having witnessed the consummation of the sacrament of matrimony between Lorrita and Sam, always remember them in your prayers. The responsibility of sustaining a marriage, he implied, is not theirs alone but also rests, in part, on the community that surrounds them. He called on all present to uphold the couple with spiritual support, recognizing that a strong marriage is strengthened not only by the efforts of the couple but also by the prayers, goodwill, and encouragement of the faith community that surrounds them.
I was there in dual capacity, especially as the representative of Mr. Peter Obi.
