Exactly twenty years ago (21 - 23 March, 1998), the then Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope JohnPaul II stepped his feet for the second time on Nigerian soil for a three day pastoral visit. His first contact with the people of Nigeria was in 1982 which took him to five major cities in the country. Sixteen years later, he came again for a pastoral visit, this time for the beatification of our very own priest and monk, Michael Cyprian Iwene Tansi (the first of its kind in Nigeria and the entire region of West Africa) in Onitsha and also the celebration of the Holy Mass of the Church as Family of God in Abuja.
On the twenty-second day of March in the year 1998, all roads in the country led to Oba Airfield in Oba, Nnewi in Anambra state for the beatification ceremony. Prior to the D-day, a lot of arrangements were made to ensure the event went smoothly without hitches. The then Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Albert Obiefuna (of Blessed Memory), Bishop Francis Arinze and other Bishops with Priests within and outside the Archdiocese made sure no stone was left unturned. The arena was colorfully decorated; the security was beefed up, people gathered from far and near to welcome their august visitor. I was barely three years old and I am sure my mum must have carried me on her back to the ceremony. Somehow, I participated. Lol.
The Catholic Church did not just wake up one morning to declare Michael Iwene Tansi (1903-1964) a Blessed servant of God. No, it began with a process. History has it that he passed into glory on the 20th day of January, 1964 at Mount St. Bernard Cistern Monastery, Leicester, England where he was interred. In 1986, his remains were exhumed and brought back to Nigeria where he was reinterred at the priest cemetery of Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha. A cause for the postulation of his beatification and possible canonization was set up.
History again has it that, in 1990, through his powerful intercession a little girl with advanced stage of cancer was instantly healed. It was a miracle beyond science and human comprehension. It was this miracle that made the Fathers and leaders of the Catholic Church to consider Fr. Tansi worthy to be elevated as a Venerable and a Blessed servant of God on the 22nd day of March, 1998 (34 years after his death). His relic was to be exposed at the Basilica in Onitsha for public veneration and his feast day was to be celebrated on the 20th day of January every year.
In 2014, there was great jubilation at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha. Again, devotees of Fr. Tansi solidarity movement gathered from far and near to mark the golden jubilee celebration of his death, tagged “50years in Heaven”. I was equally present on that day (thanks to my mum). The ceremony began on Friday and ended on Monday with a closing mass. High point of the event was on the Sunday night. It began with the Eucharistic celebration, praise and worship, talk on Blessed Iwene Tansi, testimonies from people on miracles received, public veneration of Fr. Tansi’s relics, adoration and intercessory prayers. It was an all-night program. The following day (Monday), the closing mass was celebrated and a Vatican representative was present to observe and probably give a report to the Holy Father. He assured the faithful that the canonization of Blessed Tansi was underway and in its final process. Four years have gone and yet nothing has happened because a single miracle is needed. As we keep waiting for a miracle, let us bear in mind that the Pope that beatified Fr. Tansi died in 2005 and was canonized in 2014.
Individuals, families, groups are encouraged to intensify their prayers for the powerful intercession of Fr. Tansi in their difficult cases. What the Church requires for him to be canonized is nothing but ONE mysterious miracle that is beyond science. A miracle is needed (even though the Holy Father has the ecclesiastical right and discretion to wave it off as was done in the case of the canonization of Pope John XXIII) for the first Nigerian to be declared a SAINT in the Catholic Church.
As we celebrate twenty years of the visit of the then Pope to Nigeria and the beatification of Fr. Tansi, let us be encouraged not to lose hope.
Let us continue to implore his powerful intercession so that if it pleases God, He will grant a miracle through the intercession of the Blessed servant so that the Church can elevate him to the SAINTHOOD.
There is a cause for the postulation of his canonization in Onitsha Archdiocese where you can report any miracle received through his powerful intercession.
It is our prayer that God will grant a miracle through the intercession of Blessed Iwene Tansi.
Blessed Michael Iwene Tansi …. Pray for us.
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