The Franciscan Sisters of the
Immaculate Conception
found succour in the Scripture
as clergy, faithful and people
across the nation and outside the shore
joined them in praying for the repose
soul of Rev. Sr. Mary Queeneth Nnenna
Chinakwaeze OSF as she was laid to rest
at the Franciscan Novitiate Cemetery,
Aawe, Oyo, Oyo State.
At the cemetery were boldly written
inscriptions, “WELCOME, GOOD
AND FAITHFUL SERVANT”, “I HAVE
COME TO DO YOUR WILL”, “ALIVE
OR DEAD, WE BELONG TO THE
LORD”, “INTO YOUR HAND, I COM-
MEND MY SPIRIT” and “I HAVE
CARVED YOU ON THE PALM OF
MY HAND”. All these were there for a
sober reflection and caught many atten-
tion as they paused to read.
The funeral arrangements started
as her body left Our Lady of Fatima
Catholic Hospital, Jaleyemi, Osogbo to
Franciscan Convent, Isale-Aro, Osogbo
for lying in State, at 8:00am. The Holy
Mass was celebrated at St. Benedict
Catholic Church, Popo, Osogbo, Osun
State by Most Rev Gabriel Abegunrin by
10:00am.
At 5:00pm, a vigil Mass was held for
her at Franciscan Novitiate, Aawe, Oyo,
Oyo State as her body was in the Chap-
el all over the night as many prayed for
her and wrote their condolence remarks.
Thursday 30, January.
The Vigil Mass was attended by several
priests. It had Msgr Anthony Olawumi
as the Chief Celebrant, concelebrated
by Bishop Emmanuel Badejo, Rev Frs
Boniface Wuraola (homilist), Francis
Olufunmilayo, Anthony Olanrewaju,
Ajayi, John Oyekunle, John Alayande,
Solomon Oke and Gabriel Agboola.
Drawing his homily from St Paul’s re-
mark in Philippians 3:20, the homilist,
Fr Boniface Wuraola reminded all that
heaven is the real home of believers and
that indeed it was a normal thing to go
back home from a strange land. “The
pain of separation, however, is always
very hard to bear, especially when we be-
lieve by our own judgement that it is not
yet time to depart: but no matter what we
think, God’s decision is always the best.
No doubt, in the heart of many of us,
she has left us so soon.”
Fr Boniface charged the family and
friends of the deceased to be consoled
by the fact that she lived a good life and
prepared for her death.
“One of the Rev Sisters that spoke
to me after her death said, ‘I love her
courage. She was always full of hope.’
Even in sickness, she always struggles
to participate in the community and
congregation’s programmes. What other
confirmation do we need. She saw her
sickness and death as the will of God and
accepted it without complaining or argu-
ing. If these therefore are the message left
for us by our Sr., what right have we then
to do otherwise and question God.”
Another Mass was held for the de-
ceased on Friday with Most Rev Emma-
nuel Badejo, Bishop of Oyo Diocese as
the Chief Celebrant, concelebrated by
Bishop Adelakun, the Emeritus Bishop
of the Diocese, Priests and Religious.
Fr. Winifred Chiwetalu CSsR in his
homily said there is hope for anyone that
died in Christ. “Sr Queeneth Nnnenna
joined the Franciscan Sisters in 2000
and was received into Novitiate in 2001.
She made her first profession of vows on
November 2003, at the Franciscan No-
vitiate and her final vows on October 4,
2008 with seven others. She was beau-
tiful, bold, brave and chose to follow
Christ and use everything for God.”
Most Rev Emmanuel Badejo before
the final blessing enjoined that followers
of Christ should consider themselves
lucky in the assurances of God. “Anyone
that died in Christ will live forever.”
The prelate said people are dying all
over the world. Many died needlessly
and unreported. That some their re-
mains could not be found. He ad-
dressed the biological family saying
they should be well assured that
their sister represented them very
well and admonished the congrega-
tion to always remember that “no
matter how beautiful you are, short
or small, death will take everyone
away one day. “Sr Queeneth is living
on in the heart of many now as many
have been saying so many good
things about her.”
