Ifeanyi Emeka Emordi, a 10 year Nigerian, son of Sir and Lady Emeka Emordi was one of the 25 children who received their first Holy Communion at St. Maria Bertilla Catholic Church in Vicenza on 10th October.
Fr. Luigi, the Parish Priest of St. Maria Bertilla Catholic Church urged Parents to guide their children from the moment of the first Holy Communion to their adulthood in the fear of God and in strict adherence to the Christian tradition.
He observed that Jesus Christ does not want the little children to be stopped from coming to him as the kingdom of God belongs to them and those like them.
Fr. Luigi said getting children close to God and teaching them about God will help them grow up spiritually. He stressed that God who started this journey will be with the children to the end.
Congratulating the children for receiving the first Holy Communion, Fr. Luigi said that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. "First Holy Communion is the first and the beginning of life in Christ. A life that has no end even after death," he said.
He prayed for the parents of the children, asking God to provide them all they may need to take care of their children.
Speaking with Africa News immediately after the church service on the significance of the Holy Communion, Mrs. Ijeoma Okafor, owner of International Beauty Unisex Salon Vicenza said that Catholics believe this event to be very important as the Eucharist is one of the central focuses of the Catholic Church.
“Catholics believe that Christ is always with us through the Eucharist,” she said. The Holy Communion draws us nearer to Christ and helps us stay away from sin, Mrs. Okafor added.
After the church service, all roads led to the residence of Sir and Lady Emeka Emordi for the reception.
The event was attended by Ogbuefi Kenneth Okafor- Chief Executive Officer of African Commercial Centre Vicenza, Chief Chris Obijeze, President of Ihiala LGA Union Padova, Mr. and Mrs. Aloy Udinnuta, Mr. Chijioke Nwaruh and Mr.Ugochukwu Anyanwu.
Others present were Mr. Solomon Aluola, acting Catechist at St. Pius X Catholic Church Vicenza, Mrs. Ijeoma Okafor, Mr. Luca Bruno, Mr. Jerome Ewerem, Mr. Jonathan Uche, among others.
The climax of the occasion was when the celebrant Ifeanyi was dragged onto the dance floor by his brother Victor and sister Fortunata followed by Sir and Lady Emordi and other guests present.
By Nnanna Okere
