“LOVE IS THE VIRTUE THAT FIRES ONE THROUGH PRIESTHOOD”

Exclusive interview with Rev. Fr. Theodore Martinos, one of the 142 Diocesan Priests in Lagos Archdiocese, One of the 8 ‘Censor Deputati’ of Lagos Archdiocese and Parish priest of SS Peter and Paul, Baruwa, Ipaja,Lagos. By Mr Whittington Raphael and Miss Gift Omowunmi Sunday(Media Correspondents of AS CREW) as he celebrates 9yrs Anniversary a Catholic Priest! Excerpts Below:

AS CREW: Fr, CAN WE MEET YOU❔
Fr: I’m Reverend Father Theodore Martinos of the Archdiocese of Lagos.

AS CREW: CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF❔

Fr: I was born on September 11, 1983 to a family of 4, I’m the second guy out of 4 Children or you could say 5 because my mother had a child before she was married. I grew up in Obalalende, Lagos Island, my parish was Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos Island. I attended St Mary’s private school, Broad Street, Lagos Island. From there I did my First holy Communion and Confirmation. I proceeded to St Theresa’s Minor Seminary, Oke-Are, Ibadan for my Secondary School education(1993-1999). I was admitted to the Major Seminary in the year 2000. Ordained a Deacon on the 31st October, 2009 and Ordained a priest by His Eminence, Cardinal Antony Olubummi Okojie on the 20th March, 2010 at the Archdiocesan Marian Shrine, St Agnes, Maryland.
My First Priestly assignment was at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Aguda for 8 months (May-Dec 2010) then posted to Holy Family Catholic Church, Ajara (Dec 2010- Nov 2013). Left in Nov 2013 to work at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Shogunle, Oshodi (2013 Nov- 2015 Nov) From 2015 Nov till date I’ve been at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Baruwa.

AS CREW: HOW WAS IT GROWING UP AT OBALENDE❔

Fr: It was Razz Mehn…It was Razz, Obalende is an Open Place, we were given what our parents considered as the strictest of training to enclose you and prevent you from the influence of the outside world, but being a boy, you would always find your way, especially in a compound full of your Peer group.
We had fun when our parents were not around, there was little or No restriction. We were quite exposed to picking up bad habits, maybe that was the age to pick  those bad habits. But Growing Up, we dropped them.
Obalende doesn’t Sleep, Everything Good, Bad and Ugly could be found there. We were also given the best of religious education, went for daily  Masses, etc.  We wobbled and Fumbled educationally, not because we were not going to the very good schools but the pressure for me as a child was almost overwhelming that I couldn’t give myself the best of primary education. I think at a  point my parents were worried at a point in time. The foundation was there but I just wanted to play and play, but moving into the minor Seminary, nobody had to tell me to buckle up! The Conscious Education Formation began midway through secondary school where you have to tell yourself, it’s time to take your education seriously..
Sometimes the best form of conversion can be when you talk to yourself and allow a voice from deep within to tell you that enough of play, begin the serious work! I wish that conversion had  happened earlier tho.
We moved out of Obalende midway through my secondary education (Minor Seminary). Although entering the minor Seminary created a gradual process from the naughty practices of life. That’s why they say environment impacts on you.
There was a gradual detachment growing up through the minor Seminary.
There was a  point in my spiritual and moral life, that was when I passed through the 33 day Concentration to our Lady(Mother Mary). I was in SS 1 then, I just saw my friends joining and I said, Oh! I like it and I joined! It gave me a form of spiritual consciousness that has not left me since then. I’m forever grateful to that devotion and I wish everyone could pass through that life changing devotion.

AS CREW: WHAT SOCIETIES DID YOU JOIN AS A CATHOLIC YOUTH?
FR: As a Young Boy, I was introduced into the Legion of Mary and the Boys Brigade. The Consciousness of Marian devotion started then, but other devotion’s was just daily Masses.
Another Life changing experience was when I joined the legion of Mary in the minor Seminary in Jss1. I wasn’t taking  things serious then(Jss1- Jss3) but I can remember an experience when the president of the legion of mary, who was in SS 1(I was in Jss 2 then) he said he was going to expel me from the Legion, it rang a bell in my head that sounded like it would have been the greatest failure of my life if I was thrown out of a pious society. I think God just made him to make that statement because by benefit of hindsight I don’t think he meant it.

AS CREW: YOU MENTIONED JOINING THE BOYS BRIGADE, WAS IT THE BRIGADE THAT FOSTERED YOUR LOVE FOR MUSIC❔

FR: Hmm.. You might not be incorrect, it might have also sharpened my taste for good music because they do a lot of music in the Brigade, I think YES. I was in the Boys Brigade as early as 4 cos my father was actively involved in it so I was always there, meetings evert Saturday, every year camping, etc.
In my Primary school, you join the choir when you’re in Pry 4, So when I got to pry 4, it was just a natural choice for me to be in the choir. I was also in the choir when I was in the Minor Seminary, So I think , there’s where the Love for music all started.

AS CREW: WERE YOU EVER AN ALTAR SERVER❔

FR: Yes, I was already serving since Pry 3 before I received First holy Communion. We attended a Chaplaincy- Holy Child School(A government owned school), So the Chaplain celebrate mass everyday in a small Chapel there, Catholics living around that area would always go there. I found myself serving but was not receiving, an elderly person was serving too, I did every other thing. I was not serving in the main parish even when I received but when I got to secondary school( St Theresa Minor Seminary), Naturally, everybody becomes an altar server.

AS CREW: OK, BEING AN ALTAR SERVER IN THE PAST AND COMPARING IT TO THE ALTAR SERVERS YOU’VE CELEBRATED MASS WITH FOR THE PAST 9 YEARS, WHAT CAN YOU SAY OF THE ASSOCIATION NOW❔

FR: Well…I think I’m seeing more organization, because there is a growing care for young people, the church is giving them a lot of Care.
Were we given such care then? Yes, because we were trained by the person who trained His Eminence, Antony Okogie. The Cardinal, His Eminence, Antony Okogie also trained us, having practices together  for the holy week,etc
Nonetheless, I still see the same zeal in young boys to serve, the same zeal we had then and we thank God for that.
Now I’m beginning to see what we saw in our days because we were very young then trying to organise ourselves for picnics, programs, practices, making our roster, washing our vestments etc.
So I see Similarities!

AS CREW: WHEN AND HOW DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR CALL TO BECOME A PRIEST❔

FR: The Desire just kept growing, I just find myself desiring it more than all the other ‘Small Desires’ I had then.
I just found out that I was thinking more about the priesthood.

AS CREW: DID YOUR PARENT OPPOSE TO YOU BECOMING A PRIEST❔

FR: NO.

AS CREW: WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES YOU FACED ON YOUR JOURNEY TO PRIESTHOOD❔

FR: Thank God, I didn’t have a major challenge with regards to something that would make me almost want to opt out of the Seminary. I didn’t have that kind of opportunity, but I  was always
Exposed to the normal challenges on how to keep up with the expected level of commitment required of me in my formation years.

AS CREW: HOW WAS LIFE IN THE SEMINARY FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS❔

FR: It was a place that helped me grow, to have a mind that was opened up through rigorous academic education, to have a heart that was opened up to accepting all of the commitments of life to the cause of good and to have a ear that was opened to the gentle voice of God, for me that was life in the seminary.
It means that if one didn’t become a priest after Seminary Formation, he may even be a better Catholic.

AS CREW: DOES THAT MEAN YOU DIDN’T HESITATE AT ANY TIME❔

FR: No, I didn’t hesitate to the point of opting out but I think everyday I got a Voice saying Yes (I was on the right Path)

AS CREW: MOST PEOPLE FIND IT REALLY HARD TO GET ADMITTED TO THE SEMINARY, WAS IT THE SAME SCENARIO FOR YOU❔

FR: I don’t know about people finding it hard to enter the seminary tho but ultimately I think its still the hand of God that  selects. Many are called, few are chosen you know.
I didn’t find mine difficult, was bent on Lagos Archdiocese because all the formation(Basic Education) I had was through Lagos Archdiocese. I was trained in an environment angled and catered for by diocesan priests.
I tendered my application, was called and Chosen(Admitted to the major seminary)

AS CREW: HOW DID YOU FEEL ON YOUR ORDINATION❔

FR: I Felt some form of FEAR, fear of whether or not I’ll live up to the expectation and duties I have been called to perform. I felt fear of possible disappointment, disappointing God in things I would do by way of commission and ommision.
I felt Joy too, why won’t one be happy? I think you need fear to survive through Life, fear also to respect the dignity of your personality and to try to preserve that dignity.

AS CREW: HOW HAS THE JOURNEY OF PRIESTHOOD BEEN SO FAR?

FR: I have not Regretted any moment. It’s challenging too, it’s a life of total commitment. When I examine myself everyday I know the challenge ahead of me, my daily weakness, and everyday I ask God for strength.
The 9yrs that I’ve spent in the vineyard of the Lord are years packed full of Thanksgiving. How the lord continues to use me – This Frail instrument, Is  still a miracle to me. I know where I’m coming from, I know where I’m going to, It’s the Lords Doing❕

AS CREW: WHAT ARE THE MOST CHALLENGING AND REWARDING ASPECTS OF YOUR VOCATION❔

FR: You See, On the Day of your Priestly Ordination, you took Vows, Vows of Obedience, Poverty and Chastity. They were holy Vows made in the presence of God and the Entire Congregation. The thought of breaking those Vows leaves you with apprehension and fear, so it remains a challenge everyday to try to keep up these Vows.
My Most Challenging would be how I have not loved him much enough and how I want to love him much more❕
Love is a Virtue that fires one through the Priesthood. On the Night before he(Jesus) suffered he called his disciples to the service of Love and Commitment, these are the most challenging.
My most Rewarding is that I’m still a Priest❕(Smiles)

AS CREW: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GREATEST JOYS FOR YOU AS A PRIEST❔

FR: Seeing that I’m helping people pray to discover, appreciate and Live out their faith❕

AS CREW: WHAT INSPIRES YOU❔

FR: What inspires me is the desire to do better than I’ve ever done for the glory of God not for any personal gain, because I know I’ve done ‘So Little’ and I want to do much more for him.

AS CREW: SO, WHO ARE YOUR ROLE MODELS❔

FR: My Classmates! Growing Up with whom I was ordained give me strength and encouragement.

AS CREW: ON A LIGHTER NOTE, WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD❔

FR: (Without Hesitation) Beans and Plantain❕

AS CREW: FAVORITE COLOUR❔
I’m torn in between Red and Blue, I think any Colour!

AS CREW: HOW MANY PARISHES HAVE YOU WORKED IN SO FAR❔

FR: As a Priest, 4, as a deacon, I worked at St Ann, itire. As a priest in the other of Appointment:
-Our Lady of Fatima, Aguda
-Holy Family Catholic Church, Ajara
-St John the Evangelist, Oshodi
-SS Peter and Paul, Baruwa.

AS CREW: WHAT INSPIRES YOUR LOVE FOR THE YOUTHS AND THE DRIVE BEHIND YOUTH CATHECISM❔

FR: As a young Priest, if you’re not close to the Youths and children I wonder who you’ll be close to. It sparks off a fire in the heart of young  ones to yearn for God. I share the mandate of the church to have a church full of young people who know and can express their faith.
Youth cathecism, there’s no way you’ll involve in youth ministry that you’ll not have a forum to always talk to them, so  that inspired youth cathecism. The name is actually from a book, when the book came out, i picked the name from there!

AS CREW: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOVE FOR MUSIC❔
FR: Most People have love for various things, I think so is my love for Drama and Good Music. I just Love Sacred(Church) and Secular Music. Chutchwise, because of its inspirational Power.

AS CREW: FR, YOU LOVE SPORTS, WHICH DO YOU PLAY BEST❔

FR: Football❕Right from child hood, growing up especially in the minor seminary, we played all the games, volleyball, basketball, handball etc. Basically I did more of Football and Volleyball. I also love PlayStation games(PS 2,3,4)

AS CREW: FR, YOU’RE A LIVERPOOL FAN, LIVERPOOL HAS NOT WON THE EPL TITLE SINCE 1990 AND LOOK SO CLOSE TO WINNING THE EPL CROWN THIS YEAR..WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON IT❔

FR: I still have fears and Reservations, our greatest Rivals, Manchester city has everything it takes to win a title any given season.
Liverpool presently has a team that can win a game, but Manchester city has a squad that can win the League,  that’s the difference between the two Major Rivals this season. If we do win, it would be that we have been shown some luck by other teams who pick up points from Manchester city(By Drawing and Winning them). If we win the title this year, even if we don’t win it in the next 5yrs, We’re OK, but Manchester City is not Smiling too.

AS CREW: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE BOOKS ❔

FR: I like the writings of Pope Benedict XVI , in the literary world, I like the works of Chimamanda Adichie.

AS CREW: AS THE IPAJA DEANERY CHAPLAIN OF THE CHOIR, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE DEANERY AND THE VARIOUS PARISHES❔

FR: Hmm, my major plan for music in the church is to have a set of Well trained Instrumentalists,  who can do proper classical music and take that knowledge to any other genres, which we have been lacking in a while. That’s my main Focus. It takes a lot of time and energy but at the moment, the progress is slow, regrettably So.
For the parishes, I just want every choir to be better and to instill the consciousness of every chorister to want to improve. A lot still depends on one’s personal disposition to personal improvement which Will eventually rub off on the general choir.

AS CREW: WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON THE ONGOING ARCHDIOCESAN CHORAL COMPETITION AND THR PREPAREDNESS OF SS PETER AND PAUL PARISH CHOIR❔
FR: I think its Nice, especially the inclusion of the Latin pieces which a lot of Choirs are not well disposed to but i think this will make them to be more disputed to the Latin pieces. I think the parish choir is practising well and I hope they’re duly rewarded for their efforts.

AS CREW: FR, AWAY FROM “YOU”, WHATS TRIDENTINE MASS❔

FR: Tridentine Mass is called the mass of Pope Pius XII because it flourished on the Pope. Its mass that involves the heavy use of the language of the Church – Latin. And which naturally would mean that there will be greater involvement on the part of the Priest, who by virtue of his training, is more disposed to Latin Language.
On the Part of the congregation, it increases in them, some sense of sacredness and awareness of the mysterious presence of God at mass.
You cannot understand the language academically but you can feel the spirit of the Language that helps us to access that mystery of God  present at mass.
During this mass, the Priest faces  the Altar and Backs the Congregation, More like saying a pre Vatican II mass. On Request by any congregation, it’s allowed. I think there are facilities for Tridentine mass but its On Request❕

AS CREW:IN THE JUST CONCLUDED ELECTIONS, PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI WAS RE- ELECTED FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS AGAINST THE CHOICE OF MANY NIGERIANS, WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON IT❔

FR: We all have different Affiliations and different desires for whomever you think would serve you better and you vote for such a person. Whomever has emerged president of Nigeria, we have to leave all our sentiments behind and throw all our weight to the progress of such person, because we know that the progress will be ultimately be for Nigeria as a nation. So whether or not any person would have preferred him as president or not the issue at hand now is that he’s the president and Ceteris Paribus(All things being equal) he’s likely to remain the president for the next 4 years and we have to give him all our support and Prayers, increase our level of trust in God to use him And his entire cabinet to make Nigeria function Again.

AS CREW: WHAT SPECIAL PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR SS PETER AND PAUL❔

FR: To improve on whatever we may have achieved as a community especially Spiritual Growth, a greater Sense of collective responsibility and for a deeper spirit of evangelization especially in young ones.

AS CREW: YOU’VE BEEN AT THIS PARISH FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS NOW, WHAT CAN SAY OF THIS CATHOLIC COMMUNITY❔

FR: Wonderful Set of People, there is an advantage of having a community which is not too big. We’re not so big, not so Small, it helps us to Bond and am seeing we we bonding well despite our differences and preferences. Ultimately there’s a more sincere spirit for oneness. The courage to be able to face hard challenges and profer almost immediate solution to them. For me, I think that’s how a community should be.

AS CREW: WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU❔

FR: (Looks up and thinks for a while)Am Sure a number of people close to me have learnt a number  of surprises! Should I tell them to expect more surprises? I don’t know❕

AS CREW: YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT PEOPLE CLOSE TO YOU AND KNOWING YOU BETTER, AT LEAST I’VE SERVED MASS WITH YOU AND YOU REALLY “TORMENTED” ALL OF US THAT WERE SERVING THEN( OUR PUNISHMENT BOOKS ARE LIVING WITNESSES), IT’S NOT JUST ALTAR SERVERS, OTHER SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATION HAVE RECEIVED  SAME MEASURE.. WHAT’S THE MOTIVE BEHIND YOUR ‘BEING STICT'(DISCIPLINE)❔

FR: If at all I’m disciplined, I think its normal for everyone to displined. A father should be disciplined, a mother should be disciplined, a Boss(An employer ) should be disciplined so things can work well.  It’s one thing to be disciplined with a sense of love and its another thing to be disciples with a sense of insensitivity towards others. If I’m the latter one, I’m hoping to change.

AS CREW: YOU MAKE USE OF A LOT OF SIGNS ON THE ALTAR WHEN THINGS ARE GOING WRONG INSTEAD OF TALKING..WAS THAT HOW YOU WERE  TRAINED❔

FR: I think we copy that from His Eminence, Antony Okogie. Growing up, we served every morning mass and he made use of signs, gestures, to Communicate or respond to a situation that was not in the plan before or intiate a movement.

AS CREW: IF YOU WERE NOT A PRIEST, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE GONE INTO❔

FR: Two Profession came to my mind when we were trying to chose subjects in SS1 in view of what to read in the university. The first was Architecture and the second was Agriculture which meant that I would have studied any of the these courses.

AS CREW: WHAT ADVICE WILL YOU GIVE A YOUNG PERSON ASPIRING TO BE A CATHOLIC PRIEST❔

FR: Just be a Good gentleman, your personality may clash with the discipline of the priesthood. The discipline of the priesthood flowers more if planted on a garden of a good and composed gentleman. The personality of the world and the personality of the sacred priesthood is different.
When I mean a gentleman, I don’t mean someone who is gentle and quiet. I mean someone who is Focused❕

AS CREW : FR, WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WILL YOU GIVE TO PARISHIONERS OF SS PETER AND PAUL AND CATHOLICS ALL OVER THE WORLD?

FR: To Know him, in whom you Believe!

AS CREW: Thank you very much padre for giving us the audience to Get to know more about you, You gave really good answers to our questions!
On this note, we want to wish you Happy 9th year Anniversary in the Vineyard of the Lord!

FR: It’s My pleasure, Thanks.