Bienheureux CYPRIEN (MICHAEL) IWENE TANSI, prêtre
Iwene Tansi est né à Aguleri, près de Onitsha au
Nigeria, en 1903. Il fut baptisé à l’âge de 9 ans et reçut le nom chrétien de
Michael. Il exerça pendant plusieurs années comme catéchiste et professeur avant
d'entrer au séminaire en 1925. Il fut ordonné prêtre en 1937 pour le diocèse de
Onitsha, où il a fit preuve d’un grand dévouement et d’un zèle intense pour le
Royaume de Dieu. Devenu moine, au monastère cistercien du Mont-Saint-Bernard,
près de Leicester en Angleterre, il mérita d’achever une vie sainte par une
sainte mort en 1964.
SOURCE : http://www.paroisse-saint-aygulf.fr/index.php/prieres-et-liturgie/saints-par-mois/icalrepeat.detail/2015/01/20/12520/-/bienheureux-cyprien-michael-iwene-tansi-pretre
Bienheureux Cyprien Michael Iwene Tansi
Moine cistercien africain (✝ 1964)
"Iwene Tansi est né à Aguleri, près de Onitsha au
Nigeria, en 1903. Il fut baptisé à l’âge de 9 ans avec le nom chrétien,
Michael. Son baptême l'influençait profondément, même pendant sa jeunesse, et
Michael a bouleversé ses parents non-chrétiens quand il a osé détruire
son idole personnelle, donnée traditionnellement à tous les enfants du sexe
masculin.
Il a travaillé pendant quelques années comme
catéchiste et professeur avant d'entrer au séminaire en 1925. Il a été ordonné
prêtre en 1937 pour le diocèse de Onitsha, où il a fait impression durable sur
tout le monde par son dévouement, son zèle pour le Royaume de Dieu, son esprit
intense de prière." (source: Ordre
cistercien de la stricte observance - trappistes)
"Lors de la béatification du Père Tansi, le 22
mars 1998, le Pape Jean-Paul II disait de lui: «Il fut avant tout un homme de
Dieu: les longues heures passées devant le Très Saint Sacrement remplissaient
son cœur d'un amour généreux et courageux. Ceux qui l'ont connu témoignent de
son grand amour pour Dieu. Ceux qui l'ont rencontré sont restés frappés de sa
bonté personnelle. Il fut aussi un homme du peuple: il a toujours placé les
autres avant lui-même et il fut particulièrement attentif aux besoins pastoraux
des familles. Il fit tout ce qui était en son pouvoir pour que les couples
soient bien préparés au sacrement de mariage et il prêcha l'importance de la
chasteté. Il s'efforça de toutes manières de promouvoir la dignité des femmes.
En particulier, il considérait que l'éducation des jeunes était une chose
précieuse»." (source: Abbaye
Saint-Joseph de Clairval)
"Particulièrement attentif aux besoins des
familles, il fait tout ce qui est en son pouvoir pour que les couples soient
bien préparés au mariage et le vivent saintement. Il s'efforce de toutes
manières de promouvoir la dignité des femmes. Il considère enfin que
l'éducation des jeunes est une chose particulièrement précieuse. Il se montre
toujours disponible pour le sacrement de la réconciliation. Il implore aussi
ses concitoyens de se pardonner mutuellement et de se réconcilier à tous les
niveaux de la vie nigériane, ce qui est important dans un pays qui compte tant
d'ethnies diverses." (source: Abbaye
Saint Benoît)
Lire aussi: Cérémonie
de béatification du moine trappiste Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, homélie
de Jean-Paul II lors de son voyage apostolique au Nigeria, le 22 mars 1998.
Observatoire de l'Eglise en détresse > Afrique > Nigeria
Au monastère du Mont-Saint-Bernard, près de Leicester
en Angleterre, l’an 1964, le bienheureux Cyprien (Michel Iwene Tansi), prêtre
cistercien. Né sur le territoire d’Onitsha au Nigéria, il fit profession de foi
chrétienne, encore enfant, malgré sa famille. Ordonné prêtre, il s’adonna avec
le plus grand soin au ministère pastoral et, devenu moine, il mérita d’achever
une vie sainte par une sainte mort.
Martyrologe romain
SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/10545/Bienheureux-Cyprien-Michael-Iwene-Tansi.html
Bienheureux Cyprien TANSI
Nom: IWENE TANSI
Prénom: Michel (Michael)
Nom de religion: Cyprien (Cyprian)
Pays: Nigeria
Naissance: 1903
à Onitsha (Etat d'Anambra -
Nigéria)
Mort:
20.01.1964 à Leicester (Angleterre)
Etat: Prêtre -
Cistercien
Note: Baptisé à 9
ans. 1937 Prêtre. 1953 Premiers vœux au monastère cistercien de Mount Saint
Bernard, à Leicester: Fr. Cyprian. 1986 Son corps est transféré au Nigeria.
Béatification: 22.03.1998 à
Onitsha, au Nigeria par Jean Paul
II
Canonisation:
Fête: 20 janvier
Réf. dans l’Osservatore Romano: 1998 n.13 p.3-4
Réf. dans la
Documentation Catholique: 1998 n.8 p.364-367
Notice
Le Nigeria, avec ses 88 millions d'habitants est
le pays le plus peuplé d'Afrique. Après cent ans d'évangélisation, l'Église
catholique nigériane fait preuve d'une grande vitalité. Riche en vocations, le
pays compte plus de 3000 séminaristes. Avec 761 étudiants, le séminaire d'Enugu,
en particulier, est le plus 'nombreux' du monde et l'on projette d'en
construire trois nouveaux. Déjà des prêtres nigérians se font missionnaires
dans s'autres pays africains et dans le monde. L'islam est majoritaire (45%),
mais les relations entre les deux religions sont bonnes.
Le Père Tansi a été béatifié le 22 novembre 1998
à Onitsha par le Pape Jean Paul II devant une foule évaluée à 2 millions de
personnes. Il est le premier bienheureux du Nigeria et le premier prêtre
béatifié d'Afrique (en dehors des saints et martyrs africains de l'époque
romaine).
Iwene Tansi naît en 1903 à Onitsha (Nigeria)
dans une famille animiste. Il se convertit au contact des missionnaires et
reçoit le baptême à 9 ans avec le nom de Michael. D'emblée, il se fait apôtre
auprès des autres enfants, puis il entre au petit séminaire. Il est ordonné
prêtre en 1937. Comme curé à Onitsha, il exerce un apostolat très fécond. C'est
avant tout un homme de prière: il passe de longues heures devant le Saint
Sacrement. Les contemporains témoignent de son grand amour pour Dieu; ceux qui
ont des contacts personnels avec lui restent frappés de sa bonté. Il cherche
toujours à faire passer les intérêts des autres avant les siens.
Particulièrement attentif aux besoins des familles, il fait tout ce qui est en
son pouvoir pour que les couples soient bien préparés au mariage et le vivent
saintement. Il s'efforce de toutes manières de promouvoir la dignité des
femmes. Il considère enfin que l'éducation des jeunes est une chose
particulièrement précieuse. Il se montre toujours disponible pour le sacrement
de la réconciliation. Il implore aussi ses concitoyens de se pardonner
mutuellement et de se réconcilier à tous les niveaux de la vie nigériane, ce
qui est important dans un pays qui compte tant d'ethnies diverses. Il les
encourage à nourrir la vie de la grâce par la parole de Dieu et la sainte
Communion.
Le Seigneur lui faisant percevoir avec une
clarté croissante l'appel à la vie monastique, et son évêque désirant que l'un
de ses prêtres se fasse moine pour implanter la vie monastique au Nigeria, il
se porte tout de suite volontaire et en 1950, à l'âge de 47 ans, il part pour
se former en Angleterre, au monastère trappiste de Mount Saint Bernard, à
Leicester. Mais il n'oublie pas son cher pays et continue à prier pour lui. Il
reçoit le nom de Cyprian. Après quelques années il fait ses premiers vœux
(1953). Il ne peut pas, comme il en a le désir et l'intention, retourner dans
sa patrie et implanter une communauté monastique. Sa santé l'en empêche. D'ailleurs
le groupe de moines qui est envoyé doit se détourner de sa destination
première, car le Nigeria connaît des troubles politiques, et il se détourne
vers le Cameroun. Quant au Père Tansi, il meurt peu de temps après d'une
rupture d'anévrisme. A ses funérailles, en Angleterre, il y a plusieurs prêtres
nigérians, dont le futur cardinal Arinze. Celui-ci avait été baptisé à l'âge de
11 ans par le bienheureux. En 1986, le corps du Père Tansi est ramené au
Nigeria.
Nigéria : Un moine Nigerian, Cyprien Michael Tansi
(1903-1964) par Daniel Cardot, sma
Présentation du Père Cyprien Michael Tansi, béatifié le 22 mars 1998, à
Onitsha, par le Pape Jean-Paul II qu’il proclama modèle de zèle et de prière
pour les prêtres.
Iwene Tansi est né à Aguleri, près de Onitsha au Nigeria, en 1903. Il
fut baptisé à l’âge de 9 ans avec le nom chrétien de Michael. Il a travaillé
pendant quelques années comme catéchiste et professeur avant d'entrer au
séminaire en 1925. Il a été ordonné prêtre en 1937 pour le diocèse de Onitsha,
où il a fait impression durable sur tout le monde par son dévouement, son zèle
pour le Royaume de Dieu, son esprit intense de prière.
Après 13 années de ministère pastoral dynamique, fécond, exemplaire,
Michael a senti l'appel à servir Dieu d'une façon plus directe pour une vie de
prière et de contemplation, avec le désir aussi d'apporter au Nigeria la vie
monastique et contemplative.
Pour tenir compte de cette éventualité, il fut envoyé par son évêque en
1950 à l’abbaye de Mount Saint Bernard, près de Nottingham en Angleterre, pour
y être formé comme moine cistercien. Au monastère il s'appelait "Père
Cyprien". Le changement total de milieu, en particulier le fait de vivre
l'obéissance monastique - lui qui avait été dirigeant de son peuple, - le
changement de climat, de nourriture et surtout le choc culturel ont mis à
l'épreuve le sérieux de sa vocation cistercienne, mais il était convaincu que
la volonté de Dieu pour lui était d'être dans ce monastère.
En 1962 la communauté de Mount Saint Bernard décida de faire une
fondation en Afrique, mais, pour diverses raisons, elle fut faite près de la
ville de Bamenda au Cameroun, pays voisin du Nigeria. Même s’il avait été
désigné comme maître des novices de la fondation, Cyprien, déjà fort malade, ne
put partir. Il mourut le 20 janvier 1964, peu de mois après le départ des
fondateurs.
La réputation de sainteté que le père Cyprien avait laissée au Nigeria
avant de partir pour Angleterre ne cessa de croître. Beaucoup de personnes déclaraient
avoir reçu des faveurs par son intercession. Sa cause de béatification, ouverte
d'abord au diocèse de Nottingham, fut transféré à l’archidiocèse de Onitsha en
1986. L’archevêque d’Onitsha était alors Mgr (maintenant Cardinal) Francis
Arinze, qui avait été parmi les premiers enfants baptisés par le père Tansi,
lorsque celui-ci était jeune curé. Le 22 mars 1998, à Onitsha, durant un voyage
au Nigeria fait dans ce but précis, le Saint Père Jean-Paul II béatifia Cyprien
Michael Tansi, en le proclamant modèle de zèle et de prière pour les prêtres.
Références
Pour des références supplémentaires sur le Bienheureux Cyprien Tansi, il
faut consulter les oeuvres en anglais, étant donné qu'il n'y a presque rien en
français à son sujet :
- P. Gregory Wareing, A New Life of Father Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi
(Coalville, Leicester LE6 3UL: Mt. St. Bernard Abbey, 1994). On peut trouver sur l’Internet la version électronique de ce petit
livre, écrit en anglais par le Maître des Novices du Bienheureux Cyprian: la biographie
du Père Cyprien Tansi.
- Veronica Onyedika Chidi Umegakwe, Footprints of Father Tansi: The Tomb
is not his Goal (Awhum, Nigeria: Our Lady of Calvary Monastery, 1993). La coordinatrice principale du Mouvement de Prière Contemplative
"Father Tansi" présente ici la vie de Bienheureux Cyprien sous forme
d'une pièce de théâtre en cinq actes.
- Elisabeth Isichei, Entirely for God. The life of Cyprian Michael Iwene
Tansi (Kalamazoo, USA: Cistercian Studies Series 43, 1980 and 2000).
- Page Web sur le Bienheureux Cyprien Tansi, élaborée par le Père Chidi
Denis Isizoh, secrétaire du Cardinal Arinze au Conseil Pontifical pour le
Dialogue avec les Religions non-chrétiennes.
Tansi Iwene
Michel Cyprien
Mémoire le 20 janvier. Iwene Tansi est né en 1903 à
Igboezunu, un petit village du sud du Nigeria, près d'Aguleri. Ses parents,
Tabansi et Ejinkwevi, étaient des cultivateurs et suivaient la religion
traditionnelle. Leur maison en terre de barre et en paille, où les cinq enfants
issus de leur union ont grandi, a disparu depuis longtemps. Le père fut emporté
par la malaria en 1910; la mère en 1922, par la variole. Iwene Tansi a étudié à
l'école saint Joseph à Aguleri, une ville située sur le fleuve Anambra. Au
baptême, reçu le 7 janvier 1912, il prit le nom de Michel. Il termina ses
études et à seize ans il commença à enseigner dans la même école. A l'âge de 21
ans, il était nommé directeur de l'établissement. Il y assurait aussi
l'enseignement du catéchisme.
Poussé par le désir de devenir
prêtre, il entre en 1925 au séminaire d'Igbariam. Il poursuivra sa formation au
Grand Séminaire d'Ekone et il sera ordonné prêtre dans la cathédrale d'Onitsha
le 19 décembre 1937.
Jeune curé, il est affecté à la
paroisse de Nnewi, où il aide l'abbé Jean Anyogu, le premier prêtre Ibo. De
1940 à 1945, il travaille dans la paroisse de Dunukofia, où il se fait remarquer
pour son intelligence et sa méthode, surtout pour son zèle. Il s’occupe, en
particulier, de la préparation au mariage des jeunes couples. Il crée deux
internats, pour les garçons et pour les filles. Nombreux seront ses étudiants
qui entreront au séminaire. L'un d'eux, le futur cardinal Francis Arinze, a été
baptisé et a reçu la communion des mains de Michel.
De 1945 à 1949, il travaille à
Akpu-Ajalli; de 1949 à 1950 à Aguleri. Au fur et à mesure que les années
passent, grandit son désir d'embrasser la vie monastique. Son évêque, Mgr
Heery, ne voudrait pas le 'perdre'. L'engagement dans la vie pastorale de
l'abbé Michel, sa bonté, les kilomètres qu'il parcourt à pied ou en vélo pour
visiter les malades, font l'admiration de tout le monde. On se souvient qu'il
disait: "Ce n'est pas pour le plaisir que l'Église appelle Père, Mère,
Frère et Sœur les gens qui consacrent leur vie à Dieu et à leur prochain.
L'Église s'attend à ce que le Père soit un vrai père, pour tous les gens de la
paroisse".
En 1950, avec l'approbation de
l'évêque, il peut finalement entrer au monastère du Mont St. Bernard, à
Coalville, en Angleterre. Le 3 juillet de cette même année, il commence le
postulat et, le 8 décembre 1953, il émet ses premiers vœux. En 1956, il fait sa
profession solennelle et prend le nom de Cyprien. Ici aussi la communauté a la
joie d'apprécier son fervent attachement au service de Dieu, sa patience et son
endurance… au froid de l'hiver. Quelques années plus tard, les moines de Mont
St. Bernard se préparent pour réaliser un nouveau monastère en Afrique.
L'endroit choisi est Mbengwi, près de Bamenda, au nord-ouest du Cameroun.
Le 30 mai 1963, on établit la
liste des moines qui formeront le premier groupe. Le P. Cyprien Tansi est aussi
parmi les candidats à la nouvelle fondation. Le départ pour Bamenda est fixé
pour au 27 octobre. Mais quelques semaines avant, son état de santé, déjà
plutôt inquiétant, s'empire. Le médecin qui le visite le 12 janvier 1964
diagnostique une thrombose à la jambe droite. L'estomac du P. Cyprien, déjà
éprouvé par un ancien ulcère, n'accepte plus de nourriture. Transporté à
l'hôpital de Leicester, il s'éteint d'un anévrisme à l'aorte, le 20 janvier
suivant. Voici ses dernières paroles: "Nous certainement, nous irons à
Bamenda"!
Il a été enterré dans le
cimetière du monastère. Vingt-deux ans plus tard, Mgr Stevan Ezeanya a ouvert
officiellement le procès canonique dans l'archidiocèse d'Onitsha. C'est le
dimanche 22 mars 1998 que le pape Jean-Paul II, au cours d'une messe célébrée à
l'aéroport de Oba, près d'Onitsa, devant une foule de 100.000 personnes, a
déclaré Michel Cyprien Tansi Iwene "bienheureux". Parmi les fidèles
présents il y avait aussi Philomène Emeka, une femme nigériane guérie d'un
cancer terminal en touchant le cercueil du P. Cyprien, lorsqu'en 1986 les
dépouilles du bienheureux furent transférées de l'Angleterre au cimetière de la
cathédrale Sainte Trinité d'Onitsha.
Tous ceux qui l'ont connu
confirment que Cyprien a essayé de suivre le Christ d'un esprit sincère. Ainsi
qu'en témoigne le P. Emeka Nwosu, postulateur de la cause de béatification, P.
Cyprien nous a laissé comme héritage un exemple de "charité
ascétique". L'histoire de sa vie est l'histoire d'un amour qui l'a conduit
à renoncer aux commodités de la vie et aux privilèges dont il aurait pu
disposer, pour "servir" son prochain. Mémoire, le 20 janvier.
The body of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi on
display during his silver jubilee celebration at Holy Family Catholic Church,
Festac Town, Lagos.
Homily at the Mass for the
Beatification of Father Cyprian Tansi
BY
HIS HOLINESS POPE JOHN PAUL II
"God in Christ was
reconciling the world to himself" (2 Cor 5:19).
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
1. God has given me the
joy, for the second time, of coming here to Onitsha to celebrate the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass with you. Sixteen years ago you welcomed me to this fair
land, and I experienced the warmth and fervour of a faith- filled people, men and
women reconciled to God and eager to spread the Good News of salvation to those
near and far.
Saint Paul speaks of
"the new creation in Christ" (cf. 2 Cor 5:17) and goes on to tell us:
"God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself, not holding men's
faults against them, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are
reconciled . . . the appeal we make in Christ's name is: be reconciled to
God" (2 Cor 5:19-20). The Apostle is touching here on the history of every
man and woman: God, in his only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, has reconciled us to
himself.
This same truth is
presented even more vividly in today's Gospel. Saint Luke tells us of a young
man who left his father's house, experienced the painful consequences of this
action, and then found the road of reconciliation. The young man comes back to
his father and says: " Father, I have sinned against heaven and against
you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your paid
servants" (Lk 15:18-19). The father welcomes his son back with open arms,
he rejoices because his son has returned. The father in the parable represents
our Heavenly Father, who wishes to reconcile every person to himself in Christ.
This is the reconciliation which the Church proclaims.
When Bishops from all over
Africa gathered for a Special Session of the Synod to discuss the problems of
this continent, they said that the Church in Africa has to become, through the
witness of her sons and daughters, a place of true reconciliation (cf. Ecclesia
in Africa, 79). Being first reconciled among themselves, the Church's members
will bring to society the forgiveness and reconciliation of Christ our peace
(cf Eph 2:14). "Otherwise" — the Bishops said — "the world will
look more and more like a battlefield, where only selfish interests count and
the law of force prevails" (Ecclesia in Africa, 79).
Today I wish to proclaim
the importance of reconciliation: reconciliation with God and reconciliation of
people among themselves. This is the task which lies before the Church in this
land of Nigeria, on this continent of Africa, and in the midst of every people
and nation throughout the world. "We are ambassadors for Christ . . . and
the appeal that we make in Christ's name is: be reconciled to God" (2 Cor
5:20). For this reason, the Catholics of Nigeria must be authentic and
effective witnesses to the faith in every aspect of life, both in public
affairs and in private matters.
2. Today, one of Nigeria's
own sons, Father Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, has been proclaimed "Blessed"
in the very land where he preached the Good News of salvation and sought to
reconcile his fellow countrymen with God and with one another. In fact, the
Cathedral where Father Tansi was ordained and the parishes where he exercised
the priestly ministry are not far from this very spot in Oba where we are
gathered. Some of the people to whom he proclaimed the Gospel and administered
the sacraments are here with us today — including Cardinal Francis Arinze, who
was baptized by Father Tansi and received his first education in one of Father
Tansi's schools.
In the great joy of this
event I greet all those taking part in this liturgy, especially Archbishop
Albert Obiefuna, Shepherd of this local Church of Onitsha, and all the Bishops
from Nigeria and neighbouring countries. With particular affection I greet the
priests, the men and women Religious, the catechists and all the lay faithful.
I thank the members of other Christian Ecclesial Communities, of the Muslim
community and of other Religious Traditions who have joined us today, and the
various state and local authorities present at our celebration. In a special
way, I ask God to reward those who have worked so hard, giving generously of
their time, talents and resources, so that this Beatification might take place
on Nigerian soil. I make my own the words of the Psalmist as I invite all of
you: "Glorify the Lord with me; together let us praise his name" (Ps.
34:3)!
3. The life and witness of
Father Tansi is an inspiration to everyone in the Nigeria that he loved so
much. He was first of all a man of God: his long hours before the Blessed
Sacrament filled his heart with generous and courageous love. Those who knew
him testify to his great love of God. Everyone who met him was touched by his
personal goodness. He was then a man of the people: he always put others before
himself, and was especially attentive to the pastoral needs of families. He
took great care to prepare couples well for Holy Matrimony and preached the
importance of chastity. He tried in every way to promote the dignity of women.
In a special way, the education of young people was precious to him. Even when
he was sent by Bishop Heerey to the Cistercian Abbey of Mount Saint Bernard in
England to pursue his monastic vocation, with the hope of bringing the
contemplative life back to Africa, he did not forget his own people. He did not
fail to offer prayers and sacrifices for their continuing sanctification.
Father Tansi knew that
there is something of the Prodigal Son in every human being. He knew that all
men and women are tempted to separate themselves from God in order to lead
their own independent and selfish existence. He knew that they are then
disappointed by the emptiness of the illusion which had fascinated them, and
that they eventually find in the depths of their heart the road leading back to
the Father's house (cf. Reconciliatio et Paenitentia, 5). He encouraged people
to confess their sins and receive God's forgiveness in the Sacrament of
Reconciliation. He implored them to forgive one another as God forgives us, and
to hand on the gift of reconciliation, making it a reality at every level of
Nigerian life. Father Tansi tried to imitate the father in the parable: he was
always available for those searching for reconciliation. He spread the joy of
restored communion with God. He inspired people to welcome the peace of Christ,
and encouraged them to nourish the life of grace with the word of God and with
Holy Communion.
4. "God in Christ was
reconciling the world to himself" (2 Cor 5:19).
When we speak of the world
as reconciled to God, we are speaking not only of individuals but also of every
community: families, clans, tribes, nations, states. In his providence, God
made covenant after covenant with mankind: there was the covenant with our first
parents in the Garden of Eden; the covenant with Noah after the Flood; the
covenant with Abraham. Today's reading from the Book of Joshua reminds us of
the covenant made with Israel, when Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in
the land of Egypt. And God has now made the final and definitive covenant with
all of humanity in Jesus Christ, who reconciled individual men and women — as
well as entire nations — to God by his Passion, Death and Resurrection.
Christ is thus a part of
the history of the nations. He is a part of the history of your own nation on
this continent of Africa. More than a hundred years ago missionaries arrived in
your land proclaiming the Gospel of reconciliation, the Good News of salvation.
Your forebears began to learn of the mystery of the redemption of the world,
and came to share in the New Covenant in Christ. In this way the Christian
faith was firmly planted in this soil, and in this way it continues to grow and
to produce much fruit.
Blessed Cyprian Michael
Tansi is a prime example of the fruits of holiness which have grown and matured
in the Church in Nigeria since the Gospel was first preached in this land. He
received the gift of faith through the efforts of the missionaries, and taking
the Christian way of life as his own he made it truly African and Nigerian. So
too the Nigerians of today — young and old alike — are called to reap the
spiritual fruits which have been planted among them and are now ready for the
harvest. In this regard, I wish to thank and to encourage the Church in Nigeria
for her missionary work in Nigeria, in Africa and beyond. Father Tansi's
witness to the Gospel and to Christian charity is a spiritual gift which this
local Church now offers to the Universal Church.
5. God, in fact, has
blessed this land with human and natural wealth, and it is everyone's duty to
ensure that these resources are used for the good of the whole people. All
Nigerians must work to rid society of everything that offends the dignity of
the human person or violates human rights. This means reconciling differences,
overcoming ethnic rivalries, and injecting honesty, efficiency and competence
into the art of governing. As your nation pursues a peaceful transition to a
democratic civilian government, there is a need for politicians — both men and
women — who profoundly love their own people and wish to serve rather than be
served (cf. Ecclesia in Africa, 111). There can be no place for intimidation
and domination of the poor and the weak, for arbitrary exclusion of individuals
and groups from political life, for the misuse of authority or the abuse of
power. In fact, the key to resolving economic, political, cultural and
ideological conflicts is justice; and justice is not complete without love of
neighbour, without an attitude of humble, generous service.
When we see others as
brothers and sisters, it is then possible to begin the process of healing the
divisions within society and between ethnic groups. This is the reconciliation
which is the path to true peace and authentic progress for Nigeria and for
Africa. This reconciliation is not weakness or cowardice. On the contrary, it
demands courage and sometimes even heroism: it is victory over self rather than
over others. It should never be seen as dishonour. For in reality it is the patient,
wise art of peace.
6. The passage from the
Book of Joshua which we heard in the First Reading of today's liturgy speaks of
the Passover which the children of Israel celebrated after arriving in the
Promised Land. They celebrated it with joy because they saw with their own eyes
that the Lord's promises to them had been fulfilled. After forty years of
wandering in the desert, their feet now stood on the land which God was giving
to them. The Passover of the Old Testament, the memorial of the exodus from
Egypt, is the figure of the Passover of the New Testament, the memorial of
Christ's passing from death to life, which we recall and celebrate at every
Mass.
As we stand before the
Altar of Sacrifice, soon to be fed and nourished by the Body and Blood of
Christ, we must be convinced that each of us, according to our particular state
in life, is called to do no less than what Father Tansi did. Having been
reconciled with God, we must be instruments of reconciliation, treating all men
and women as brothers and sisters, called to membership in the one family of
God.
Reconciliation necessarily
involves solidarity. The effect of solidarity is peace. And the fruits of peace
are joy and unity in families, cooperation and development in society, truth
and justice in the life of the nation. May this be Nigeria's bright future!
"The God of peace be
with you all. Amen" (Rom 15:33).
(Sunday, 22 March 1998 at
Onitsha, Nigeria)
Blessed Cyprian
Michael Iwene Tansi
Also known as
Iwemmaduegbunam
Memorial
20
January
Profile
Son of Tabansi of Igboezunu-Aguleri and Ejikwevi of
Nteje; one of five children.
Though his parents were non-Christian,
they sent the boy to
live with and be educated by
a Christian uncle.
He was baptised on 7
January 1912,
and given the name Michael. Studied at
Onitsha and Aguleri. Accidentally blinded in
his left eye while playing with schoolmates. Taught at
Holy Trinity School,
Onitsha in 1920.
Headmaster of Saint Joseph’s School,
Aguleri in 1924.
Entered Saint Paul’s Seminary at
Igbarium in 1925. Ordained on 19
December 1937 in
the archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria.
From 1937 to 1950 he
served as parish priest in
Nnewi, then Dunukofia, Akpu/Ajilla, and finally Aguleri, travelling on
foot for hours on end to minister to his widely-scattered parishioners. One of
his notable ministries was his work with women planning
to marry. Pilgrim to Rome, Italy in 1950. Travelling to England,
he became an oblate at
the monastery of
Mount Saint Bernard.
He took the name Brother Cyprian, and lived the rest of his life as
a Trappist monk at
the monastery.
Born
September 1903 in
Igboezum, Aguleri, Nigeria as Iwemmaduegbunam
Died
20
January 1964 at
the Royal Infirmary, Leicester, England
buried
in the cemetery of Saint Bernard’s monastery
re-interred in the priest‘s
cemetery, Holy Trinity Cathedral,
Onitsha, Nigeria on 17
October 1986
Name Meaning
let human malice not kill me (Iwemmaduegbunam)
Venerated
11
July 1995 by Pope John
Paul II
Beatified
22
March 1998 by Pope John
Paul II at Oba, Nigeria
Additional Information
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MLA Citation
“Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi“. CatholicSaints.Info.
26 March 2020. Web. 19 January 2021. <https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-cyprian-michael-iwene-tansi/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-cyprian-michael-iwene-tansi/
Today, we celebrate the feast day of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene
Tansi (1903-1964), the first Nigerian to be beatified for his holiness and
service to the people of his country. Father Tansi spent his life,
despite sickness and adversity, caring for those he loved in a country where
Catholics are frequently persecuted. His courage and dedication to the
Word of God remains an inspiration for all of us.
During his beatification Mass in Nigeria, Pope John Paul II proclaimed
of him: “The life and witness of Fr Tansi is an inspiration to everyone in the
Nigeria that he loved so much. He was first of all a man of God: his
long hours before the Blessed Sacrament filled his heart with generous and
courageous love. Those who knew him testify to his great love of God. Everyone
who met him was touched by his personal goodness. He was then a man of
the people: he always put others before himself, and was especially attentive
to the pastoral needs of families. He took great care to prepare couples well
for Holy Matrimony and preached the importance of chastity. He tried in every
way to promote the dignity of women. In a special way, the education of young
people was precious to him. Even when he was sent by Bishop Heerey to the
Cistercian Abbey of Mount St Bernard in England to pursue his monastic
vocation, with the hope of bringing the contemplative life back to Africa, he
did not forget his own people. He did not fail to offer prayers and sacrifices
for their continuing sanctification.
Father Tansi knew that there is something of the Prodigal Son in every human
being. He knew that all men and women are tempted to separate themselves from
God in order to lead their own independent and selfish existence. He knew that
they are then disappointed by the emptiness of the illusion which had
fascinated them, and that they eventually find in the depths of their heart the
road leading back to the Father's house (cf. Reconciliatio et
Paenitentia, n. 5). He encouraged people to confess their sins and
receive God's forgiveness in the sacrament of Reconciliation. He implored them
to forgive one another as God forgives us, and to hand on the gift of
reconciliation, making it a reality at every level of Nigerian life. Fr Tansi
tried to imitate the father in the parable: he was always available for
those searching for reconciliation. He spread the joy of restored communion
with God. He inspired people to welcome the peace of Christ, and encouraged
them to nourish the life of grace with the word of God and with Holy
Communion....
Blessed Cyprian Michael Tansi is a prime example of the fruits of
holiness which have grown and matured in the Church in Nigeria since
the Gospel was first preached in this land. He received the gift of faith
through the efforts of the missionaries, and taking the Christian way of life
as his own he made it truly African and Nigerian. So too the Nigerians of today
young and old alike are called to reap the spiritual fruits which have been
planted among them and are now ready for the harvest. In this regard, I wish to
thank and to encourage the Church in Nigeria for her missionary work in
Nigeria, in Africa and beyond. Fr Tansi's witness to the Gospel and to
Christian charity is a spiritual gift which this local Church now
offers to the universal Church.”
Iwene Tansi was born in Aguleri, Near Onitsha, Negeria in 1903. One of
five children, his parents sent him to be raised by a Christian uncle, who
instilled in him a love of God. Baptized when only 9 years old, he took
the Christian name Michael and surprised his parents by destroying his personal
idol—a traditional symbol given to each male child at birth in Nigeria.
His baptism impacted him deeply, and he devoted himself to study of the Gospel
and charitable works. Blinded in his left eye while playing as a child,
Michael never complained.
At the age of 22, after working as a catechist and school teacher at the
Holy Trinity School in Onitsha, he became headmaster of Saint Joseph’s
School. Not long afterwards, he entered the seminary of Saint Paul’s,
called to a deeper level of service. Ordained in the Onitsha diocese at
the age of 34, he dedicated himself to constant service of the people of Easter
Nigeria for the next 13 years. Given the geographical spread of the
diocese, Father Tansi spent most of his days walking from village to village,
spending time at each parish, hearing confessions all day (and oftentimes
through the night). He preached the importance of preparation for
marriage, and the joy of Christian love, actively working against the cultural
tradition of “trial marriages.” Many were converted throughout the Igbo
villages he visited, a testament to his constancy and zeal.
Father Tansi felt called, however, to devote himself more fully to the formation
of Catholicism in Nigeria. He wished to serve the Lord more directly in
contemplation and prayer, and in doing so, bring the monastic life to
Nigeria. He traveled to Mount Saint Bernard Monastery, a Trappist Abbey,
near Nottingham, England, and undertook training in the establishment of
contemplative monastic communities. Taking the name Cyprian, he devoted
himself to his eventual goal of building a monastery in Onitsha. However, the
change of weather, cuisine, and community provided a drastic shock to his
system, and Father Cyprian found himself quite ill.
When Mount Saint Bernard founded a monastery in Africa (in Cameroon,
rather than neighboring Nigeria), Father Cyprian was appointed as Novice
Master. However, the years of toil that he had undertaken had exerted
their toll on him, and he was too ill to participate. He died only a few
months later. However, his reputation had never left Nigeria, and many
reported miracles and favors via his intercession. The call for his
beatification began shortly following his death. On March 22, 1998, at
Onitsha, during a trip to Nigeria made for that very purpose, Pope John Paul II
beatified Father Cyprian Michael Tansi, proclaiming him to be a model of
priestly zeal and prayer.
An extract from a retreat Father Cyprian Michael Tansi gave in 1962:
We do very little good when we embark on our own. We do much good when
we allow God to direct us and direct our enterprises. The apostles, you
remember, went out fishing, laboured the whole night and got nothing. They were
on their own, the Lord came and told them to cast the net and they would find.
They did so and were not able to draw up the net, so great was the number of
fish caught.
When they worked by themselves, they took nothing. When they worked in
the company of our Lord, they were full. So with us. We must learn to avoid
worrying ourselves about things, learn to do away with anxieties of all sorts.
When you have something to do, an assignment to perform, remembering
that we are not doing our work, but God's work, we must first go to our Lord in
the Blessed Sacrament, place our plans before Him and ask for his advice and
assistance. We must examine before him how he would like us to produce, whether
he would like us to do one thing or the other. If any doubt, consult your
spiritual director for advice. You should never undertake to do anything unless
you are sure that God wants it done in the way you are planning. Above all
things you should never do your own will: you should do only what the superiors
want to be done. You should never force the superiors to yield to your will by
any stratagem.
And while
doing whatever you have to do, you should do it at a pace and speed that will
allow you time continually to turn to God for guidance. Your conversation with
God should be continual. Remember that you cannot achieve this spiritual
disposition in a day. You need time, practice and patience. All that I request
you now is to examine and to see whether what you are told is the truth. If it
is, then make a resolution to continue to make effort in this direction without
minding whether you succeed or fail.
Bl. Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi
Bl. Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi was born in 1903 in
Igboezunu, at the edge of: the forest near the ancient city of Aguleri in
southern Nigeria. His parents, Tabansi and Ejikwevi, were Igbo farmers who
practised the "traditional religion" and gave him the name Iwene at
birth. In 1909 he was sent to the Christian village of Nduka, where he was
baptized three years later by Irish missionaries and given the name Michael.
His peers described him as studious and very demanding with himself, with a
precocious personality and deep piety. At the age of 16 he received his first
school leaving certificate, which qualified him for teaching. He taught at Holy
Trinity Primary School in Onitsha for three years and served for a year as
headmaster at St Joseph School in Aguleri. In 1925, against the wishes of his
family, he entered St Paul's Seminary in Igbariam. After finishing his
philosophical and theological studies, he was ordained a priest in the
cathedral of Onitsha on 19 December 1937 by the missionary Bishop Charles
Heerey. The second indigenous priest of Onitsha and the first in the Aguleri
region, he began his pastoral ministry in the parish of Nnewi. In 1939 he was
appointed parish priest of Dunukofia (Umudioka region), where he courageously
tackled immoral customs and destroyed the harmful myth of the "cursed
forest", which weighed heavily on the peace of consciences and families.
To combat premarital cohabitation, he set up marriage preparation centres where
girls and young women could be sheltered and receive Christian formation. For
the moral education of young people he also established the League of Mary,
with remarkable success. On foot or bicycle, Fr Tansi went from village to
village preaching, catechizing and setting up prayer centres that eventually
became parishes. He spent hours and hours hearing confessions, even until late
at night. His zeal, shining example and life of prayer and penance transformed
the people into a true Christian community resulting in so many vocations to
the priesthood and religious life that his parish held the diocesan record. The
same energy characterized his years as parish priest of Akpu, where he served
from 1945 until his transfer to Aguleri in 1949. On an unspecified date between
1949 and 1950, during a priests' day of recollection, Bishop Heerey expressed
the desire that one of his priests would embrace the monastic life so that he
could later establish a contemplative monastery in his Diocese. Fr Tansi
immediately said he was willing. Bishop Heerey contacted the Trappist Abbey of
Mount St Bernard in Leicestershire, England, which was willing to receive him
for a trial period as an oblate. In the summer of 1950 he led his parishioners
on a pilgrimage to Rome for the Holy Year and left from there for Mount St
Bernard. After two and a half years as an oblate, he was admitted to the
novitiate on the vigil of the Immaculate Conception, taking the name Cyprian.
One year later he took his simple vows and was solemnly professed on 8 December
1956. For the next seven years he lived a hidden life of prayer and work,
humility and obedience, in faithful and generous observance of the Cistercian
rule. In 1963, after 13 years of valuable experience as a Trappist, the time
now seemed ripe for establishing a monastery in Nigeria. However, political
tensions led his superiors to choose neighbouring Cameroon for the foundation
instead. This was a hard blow for Fr Cyprian, who had been appointed novice
master for the African monastery. It was the only time in 13 years of monastic
life that he ever lost his temper, but he quickly regained control and accepted
God's will with supernatural heroism. In January 1964 he began experiencing
intense pain in one of his legs. Diagnosed as having thrombosis, the following
morning he was found unconscious and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of
Leicester, where examination revealed an aortic aneurysm. He died the following
morning, 20 January 1964. He was buried at Mount St Bernard on 22 January.
Present for the funeral liturgy were several Nigerian priests living in London,
including his spiritual son, Fr Francis Arinze, the future Archbishop of
Onitsha, Cardinal and President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious
Dialogue. His body was exhumed in 1988 and reburied in the priests' cemetery
near the cathedral of Onitsha, where he had been ordained a priest 51 years
earlier. After the beatification ceremonies, his remains will be buried in the
parish church of his native village, Aguieri.
SOURCE : https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/cyprian-michael-iwene-tansi-405
Beato Cipriano Michele Iwene Tansi Religioso
20 gennaio
Primo beato della Nigeria, è stato beatificato da papa
Giovanni Paolo II il 22 marzo 1998 ad Onitsha. Nacque nel 1903 ad Igboezunu nel
Sud della Nigeria nella tribù degli Igbo, protagonisti negli anni 1967-70 della
guerra civile del Biafra. Iwene (questo il suo primo nome) fu mandato a scuola
dai missionari, che erano in Nigeria dal 1890. A nove anni venne battezzato col
nome di Michele. Vincendo l'opposizione dei genitori nel 1925 entrò in
seminario a Igbarian, diventando sacerdote nel 1937 nella cattedrale di
Onitsha. Nominato parroco a Dunukofia, si impegnò in una vasta opera di
evangelizzazione permettendo a molti di superare superstizioni e ingiustizie
vissute nel nome della religione tradizionale. Dal 1945 al 1949 fu parroco ad
Aguleri. Seguendo il desiderio del vescovo di avere in diocesi un'esperienza
monastica, padre Tansi si recò in Inghilterra, entrando nel 1950 nell'abbazia
trappista di Mount St. Bernard. Nel 1952 fu ammesso al noviziato, diventando
fra' Cipriano ed emettendo nel 1956 i voti perpetui. Nel 1964, al momento di
recarsi in Camerun per guidare la nuova comunità monastica, fu colpito da un
aneurisma aortico che il 20 gennaio lo portò al decesso nell'ospedale di
Leicester. (Avv.)
Martirologio Romano: Nel monastero di Mount Saint
Bernard presso Leicester in Inghilterra, beato Cipriano (Michele) Iwene Tansi,
sacerdote dell’Ordine cistercense: nato nella regione di Onitsha in Nigeria,
ancora fanciullo professò, contro la volontà della famiglia, la fede cristiana
e, ordinato sacerdote, con grande zelo si dedicò alla cura pastorale, finché
fattosi monaco meritò di coronare la sua santa vita con una morte santa.
Primo beato della Nigeria, è stato beatificato da papa
Giovanni Paolo II il 22 marzo 1998 ad Onitsha – Nigeria. Ha la caratteristica
di aver avuto nella sua vita ben tre nomi, Iwene alla sua nascita, Michele
quando divenne cristiano e Cipriano come frate trappista.
Nacque nel 1903 ad Igboezunu ai margini della foresta, vicino all’antichissima
città di Aguleri, nel Sud della Nigeria; era della nota e gloriosa tribù degli
Igbo, che fu protagonista negli anni 1967-70 della sanguinosa guerra civile del
Biafra.
Il Vangelo era arrivato nella sua zona nel 1890, portato dai primi missionari
cattolici alsaziani, sostituiti poi dagli irlandesi della Congregazione dello
Spirito Santo; i genitori di Iwene, contadini, erano praticanti della religione
tradizionale degli Igbo e secondo le loro aspirazioni, desideravano per il
figlio una istruzione e quindi a sei anni lo mandarono dai missionari, che avevano
in quel tempo l’iniziativa dell’educazione scolastica, in un villaggio
cristiano Nduka, dove visse ospite di una zia.
Suo insegnante nella scuola della missione, fu il cugino cristiano Robert
Orekie; a nove anni nel 1912, venne battezzato con il nome di Michele, l’anno
successivo insieme al cugino si trasferì ad Onitsha, iscrivendosi alla Scuola
Primaria gestita dal sistema dell’allora possedimento britannico della Nigeria,
che frequentò per sei anni con serietà e impegno agli studi, fino a conseguire nel
1919 il diploma d’insegnante.
Restò come professore nella stessa scuola fino al 1924, quando rientrato ad
Aguleri divenne direttore della School St. Joseph; nel contempo in lui maturava
la vocazione sacerdotale e quindi vincendo l’opposizione dei genitori, a 22
anni, nel 1925 entrò nel seminario di San Paolo a Igbarian.
Dopo aver percorso con profitto tutto il piano di studi necessari, il 19
dicembre 1937, fu ordinato sacerdote nella cattedrale di Onitsha, primo
sacerdote della zona di Anguleri e secondo come clero indigeno della Diocesi.
Nel 1939 fu nominato parroco di Dunukofia, vastissima zona i cui abitanti erano
in massima parte legati alla religione tradizionale, non molto favorevoli ad
accogliere il messaggio evangelico.
Padre Michele Iwene Tansi non disperò e intraprese una coraggiosa opera di
conversione dei fedeli sia in campo dottrinale, sia in campo di revisione dei
costumi locali alquanto maschilisti; combatté il concubinato prematrimoniale
con l’istituzione di centri per la preparazione al matrimonio; sfatò il mito di
una ‘foresta maledetta’; istituì l’Associazione della ‘Legione di Maria’ con
risultati sorprendenti.
Esercitò il ministero come parroco in quella zona per sei anni percorrendo il
vasto territorio a piedi o in bicicletta; dal 1945 al 1949 passò alla
parrocchia di Akpu ad Aguleri, con lo stesso impegno e zelo pastorale.
Tra il 1949 e il 1950 il vescovo mons. Heerey, espresse il desiderio che uno
dei suoi sacerdoti indigeni abbracciasse l’esperienza monastica, per poter
portare in seguito, nella diocesi, il seme della vita contemplativa. Padre
Tansi che già in cuor suo aspirava a questa forma di vita spirituale, vide
nella richiesta del vescovo, come una risposta dall’alto alle sue aspirazioni,
quindi si propose per questa esperienza, affiancato dal suo vice parroco Marco
Ulogu.
Furono presi contatti con l’abbazia trappista di Mount St. Bernard, nella
contea di Leichester in Inghilterra e fu deciso che Padre Tansi sarebbe entrato
come oblato. Durante il pellegrinaggio parrocchiale fatto a Roma durante l’Anno
Santo 1950, padre Tansi invece di ritornare in Nigeria, proseguì per l’abbazia
trappista, dove giunse il 2 luglio 1950.
Qui avvenne la metamorfosi spirituale del religioso nigeriano, da pioniere ed
organizzatore della giovane Chiesa nigeriana, divenne un monaco umile e docile,
impegnato a realizzare l’’ora et labora’ nell’austera e silenziosa vita
quotidiana trappista. Dopo circa tre anni trascorsi come oblato, il 7 dicembre
1952, fu ammesso al noviziato, assumendo il nome di fra’ Cipriano e l’8
dicembre 1956, emise i voti perpetui.
Per altri sette anni visse la rigorosa vita di trappista in piena umiltà,
ubbidienza e nascondimento, nella preghiera, nel silenzio, nella separazione
dal mondo, impegnato nelle più umili mansioni, tutto secondo l’austera regola
della Congregazione dei Certosini Riformati, noti appunto con il nome di
trappisti, nome scaturito dall’abbazia di Notre-Dame-de-la-Trappe, in Francia
da dove iniziò la Riforma nel 1664.
Nel 1963 sembrò che i tempi fossero maturi per fondare in terra nigeriana
quella comunità contemplativa desiderata dal vescovo nel 1950. Ma le
vicissitudini politiche nigeriane, che sfoceranno nella guerra civile del
Biafra, sconsigliarono i superiori, che optarono per il confinante Camerum; per
padre Cipriano Tansi, che era stato nominato maestro dei novizi della nascente
comunità, fu un colpo non facile da assorbire, visto il forte legame per la sua
terra e il motivo iniziale della sua scelta, ma la sua grande formazione
spirituale fece sì che accettasse anche questo come volontà di Dio.
Ma mentre si preparava a questo nuovo impegno, nel gennaio 1964 frate Cipriano
ebbe improvvisi e grandi disturbi ad una gamba che si gonfiò enormemente. Venne
ricoverato d’urgenza nell’Ospedale di Leichester, dove gli fu diagnosticato
un’aneurisma aortico; il monaco che l’accompagnava, ritornò al monastero con
l’intento di ritornare il mattino seguente, ma durante la notte il male
peggiorò e il mattino del 20 gennaio 1964, morì completamente solo, in
un’anonima stanza di un ospedale straniero, senza aver potuto più rivedere la
sua terra, da quando era partito nel 1950.
La salma fu riportata al monastero e il 22 furono celebrati i funerali con la
presenza di altri sacerdoti nigeriani residenti a Londra. Il centro monastico
in Camerum, si aprì dopo la sua morte e quando nel 1986 a 22 anni dalla sua
dipartita, si aprì nella cattedrale di Omitsha il processo per la
beatificazione, in Nigeria funzionavano due Comunità trappiste una maschile e
l’altra femminile e una di benedettine.
Nel 1988 il corpo fu esumato e traslato con l’aereo in Nigeria; nella
cattedrale di Onitsha fu tenuto il solenne rito funebre durante il quale
avvenne un miracolo, riconosciuto tale come di ‘prima categoria’ su una ragazza
di 17 anni affetta da grave tumore inoperabile, che il vescovo aveva concesso
di accostarsi a toccare il feretro, e che dopo il rito le scomparve
completamente.
In suo nome è sorta in Nigeria la Pia Associazione ‘Fr. Tansi Solidarity Prayer
Movement’, composta da 40.000 iscritti che indossando un abito particolare, si
riuniscono nelle parrocchie a pregare e cantare lodi nello spirito trappista.
Autore: Antonio Borrelli
Nel 1998 la Nigeria ha avuto il suo primo beato nella persona di Padre Cyprian
Michael Iwene Tansi, che dal sacerdozio attivo e superimpegnato è passato con
estrema naturalezza ed eccezionale efficacia al silenzio ed alla vita
contemplativa della Trappa. Nasce nel 1903 ai margini della foresta, nella
Nigeria meridionale, in una famiglia pagana, da una tribù che sessant’anni dopo
sarà protagonista della tristemente famosa e sanguinosa guerra civile del
Biafra. I genitori, anche se ferventi praticanti della religione locale, non
trovano affatto disdicevole mandare il loro figlio di sei anni a studiare in
una scuola gestita dai missionari cattolici. Iwene, insieme alle prime nozioni,
può così frequentare regolarmente il catechismo e tre anni dopo viene
battezzato con il nuovo nome di Michael. L’intelligenza viva di cui è dotato
gli permette di concludere brillantemente anche gli studi superiori, diplomarsi
insegnante e diventare addirittura direttore della scuola cattolica della sua
città, mentre sempre più prepotente sente nascere in lui la vocazione
sacerdotale. Scontata la ferma opposizione dei genitori e dell’intero clan, che
tuttavia non gli impedisce a 22 anni di entrare in seminario e a 34 anni di
essere ordinato sacerdote: è il secondo sacerdote indigeno della diocesi ed il
primo in assoluto della sua zona natale. Dopo due anni di esperienza pastorale
gli affidano una zona vastissima che percorre in lungo e in largo con la sua
bicicletta e con una vecchia motocicletta che lo lascia spesso a piedi. Ora
quella sua enorme parrocchia è suddivisa in ben 14 parrocchie e testimonia
l’immensa mole di lavoro svolto da quel sacerdote che si spende per la sua
gente con un’inesauribile generosità, con una catechesi semplice e profonda,
con una preghiera prolungata davanti all’eucaristia. Vuole affrancare la donna
nigeriana dalla condizione subalterna rispetto all’uomo, organizza incontri
prematrimoniali, coltiva le vocazioni sacerdotali che fioriscono numerosissime
durante il suo ministero, dedica molto tempo all’istruzione dei ragazzi, senza
dimenticare, da buon giocatore di calcio qual era stato da giovane, di inserire
l’attività sportiva nel suo progetto di educazione della gioventù. Sulla soglia
dei 50 anni accetta l’invito del vescovo a fare un’esperienza monastica, per
poter poi trapiantare in Nigeria il seme della vita contemplativa. Quanti gli
costi separarsi dalla sua gente e dalla sua comunità lo dimostra il fatto che
parte alla chetichella, durante il pellegrinaggio a Roma per l’Anno Santo,
prendendo la direzione dell’Inghilterra anziché quella del ritorno in Africa.
Nell’abbazia inglese gli danno il nuovo nome di Padre Cyprian e lui si lascia
immergere nel clima contemplativo dei monaci, passando con naturalezza dal
vorticoso lavoro missionario al silenzio della Trappa. Così per 14 anni,
edificando tutti con la sua preghiera e la sua penitenza, fino a quando, quasi
alla vigilia del suo ritorno in Nigeria, il 20 gennaio 1964 muore improvvisamente
nella solitudine di un ospedale inglese, dove è stato ricoverato per aneurisma
aortico. Dopo 24 anni la sua salma rientra in Nigeria e durante le solenni
esequie una ragazza, toccando la sua bara, guarisce in modo istantaneo e
definitivo da un tumore che l’aveva portata in fin di vita: la firma di Dio su
una straordinaria testimonianza di vita sacerdotale intensamente e
profondamente donata.
Autore: Gianpiero Pettiti
SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/91015
