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Sacred Heart Boise Pastor Hippolytus Ezenwa celebrates 25 years of priesthood
- Vero Gutierrez
- 4 hours ago
- 8 min read
By ICR staff
Father Hippolytus Ezenwa of the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy (SMMM) celebrated 25 years of priesthood on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Sacred Heart Parish in Boise, where a celebratory Mass, presided over by Bishop Peter F. Christensen, was held in his honor.
The Nigerian-born priest, known affectionately as Father "Hippo” by his congregation at Sacred Heart, was ordained into the priesthood on July 22, 2000.
Idaho Catholic Register Assistant Editor Vero Gutiérrez asked him a series of questions prior to the Mass on Sunday.
The following are her questions and Fr. Hippo’s subsequent answers.
Father Hippolytus Ezenwa of the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy (SMMM) celebrated 25 years of priesthood on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Sacred Heart Parish in Boise, where a celebratory Mass, presided over by Bishop Peter F. Christensen, was held in his honor.
The Nigerian-born priest, known affectionately as Father “Hippo” by his congregation at Sacred Heart, was ordained into the priesthood on July 22, 2000.
Idaho Catholic Register Assistant Editor Vero Gutiérrez asked him a series of questions prior to the Mass on Sunday.
The following are her questions and Fr. Hippo’s subsequent answers.
How did you discover your calling to the priesthood?
“Every priest has his story to tell about how his journey to the priesthood began. I would say that I did not just wake up one day to discover that I was being called, nor did I hear any voice calling me like Samuel in the Scriptures was called.
“My journey started in the context of my family associating with priests who served in places where we resided. As deeply religious Catholics, my parents would occasionally invite our priests to eat lunch or dinner with us. Thus, the expression that, ‘nothing happens in a vacuum,’ is particularly true in my case.
“On the whims of encountering these different priests, the desire to become a priest was planted in me because I saw in them the joy of the Gospel and the glory of God.”
Was there a key moment or person in that process?
“There was no key moment in my discernment process, but there were experiences that led me to this part; the experience of a good Catholic family upbringing is top on the list.
“My parents were practicing Catholics and my grandparents from my mother’s side were staunch Catholics as well, so both blending, formed a springboard to my vocation. Their role model of prayer life, decency, modesty, moderate lifestyle, simplicity, selflessness, tenacity, and patience, to mention a few, inspired me.
“Apart from my family, there are also key persons that planted, nurtured and propelled me to answer God’s call. For example, Sister Bruno Onyebuchi of the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (DMMM), encouraging me to join the Altar Boy’s Association at St. Charles parish Achina from where my faith continued to grow. Serving at the Altar was and is my favorite activity.
“Through participation at the altar, I discovered how wonderful it is to serve the Lord. This is why I made up my mind in my childhood to become a priest. Also, joining the Sacred Heart of Jesus group at St. Charles Achina was helpful in forming my young mind towards dedicating myself to the service of the Gospel.
“Mother Casmire Nwadiukwu was also a candle that lighted my part towards the priesthood of Christ. My association with the late Father Aaron Ekwu, a priest of the diocese of Awka, greatly inspired me as well.
“Whenever I visited him during my high school days, Father Ekwu would always encourage me to go the Blessed Sacrament to ‘say hello to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.’ His life of simplicity, humility and holiness greatly inspired me. Father Ezeokafor, who is now the Bishop of Awak diocese, whom I met at St. John’s Catholic Church, Nneni, also gave me a lot of encouragement in my desire to serve God.
“It was not only priests and religious who were my heroes in this journey. The late Sir Andy (Ideh) and Lady Ngozi Umeorji (Adagbaodu), being close friends to my parents and marriage sponsors, also influenced my formation. Their wise council, love and care was a light even in darkness. Their continued support for my family after the passing of my mother is an example of perfect charity.”
What has been the most challenging and the most rewarding part of these 25 years of priesthood?
“The most challenging time was the passing of my mother. Her irreparable loss was a blow to my family. Although I was devastated, her words of comfort are always a source of courage.
“There are many things to thank God for in my ministry, but the most rewarding thing is that God is using me every day as an instrument of salvation. When I see many Catholics who strayed, come back to the faith and participate again in the sacraments, and new people being converted to the Catholic faith, I am filled with thanks at what God is using us priests, deacons and lay faithful to accomplish.”
Have you ever thought about leaving the ministry? What keeps you going through the tough times?
“Absolutely not! I have never contemplated leaving the priesthood; it is not because of my strength but by his grace. I love being a priest. I pray and hope I remain faithful to the end.”
How has your understanding of God changed since you were ordained?
“I would say that my understanding of God has grown deeper, like Moses’ experience of the burning bush in the Holy Bible, the closer you come, the deeper you experience this awesome God. On the other hand, the deeper you introspect, the more you realize how little you know and understand this mysterious God.
“When you are privileged to encounter God in the sacraments, especially as a priest, you are filled with wonder at the mystery of salvation and how much you cannot unravel it, no matter how hard you try.”
What aspect of African culture enriches your experience of the Gospel?
“African culture, especially in my part of Africa, Igbo/Nigeria, for the most part, is theocentric. Everything we do is centered on God; this is evident in the names the Igbo people give their children, which reflect God or his interventions or interactions with the Igbo person.
“And so, this understanding of God as one in whom we live, move and have our being informs me that God is everything. Secondly, that God is not a distant God; if he is embedded in our names, then we must see him in everything that he created, humans and nature. Hence, the concept of a Being reflecting Himself in his human creatures and nature shedding light on Divine Incarnation tells us that God is with us and in us. We are theologically connected with God, sociologically connected with one another and ontologically connected to nature.”
How is faith lived out in your local community? Are there any religious customs you would share with us?
“Faith is the bedrock of our African life; we believe not just in anything out there but in God, the Creator of all that exists (Chukwu Okike). We have faith that Chukwu Okike will always see us through, even in our challenging moments. And so, we do not easily give up. We subscribe to hard work, believing that no challenge is insurmountable because we also believe that God, who is our ‘Okike,’ is all-powerful.”
What are you most proud of in your priestly service?
“I am proud of many things; however, I am particularly grateful that despite my unworthiness, God has continued to use me as an instrument of salvation for his people.”
What dreams do you still have for your ministry?
“My dream is that all people will come to the knowledge of God, that we Christians would continue to model ourselves after Christ, who came to serve and not be served. That those entrusted under my care will find their way to Christ and receive salvation. And so, my ultimate dream is that all I have served and will serve in this ministry will receive eternal salvation, and I as well, behold him who by his grace has called me to his service.”
What words would you give to young priests?
“Courage in the face of adversity, constancy in doing what is right, humility in your approach to things you do not know or understand, docility to God at all times, tenacity in your defense of truth and justice. Prayer, it is the key.
“Learn to say sorry when you make mistakes, you are not the all-knowing God; learn to appreciate even the least favor, and learn to say please when asking for a favor; nothing and no one should be taken for granted.”
How are you celebrating this anniversary? What does it mean to you to reach this milestone?
“In this celebration, I am celebrating the eternal priesthood of Christ in which I am honored to participate. I will celebrate it in a simple way for and with my parishioners and later with my family, community and friends in my home country.
“I am honored that the Chief Shepherd of our diocese Bishop Peter Christensen, will preside over at the oly Mass during the celebration. The aim of this celebration is simply for the promotion of priestly vocation in our diocese; a recognition that God had led me thus far, in spite of me.”
What message would you leave the Church about the value of the priesthood today?
“That the priesthood of Christ is invaluable. Think of it: that Christ gave the continuity of His ministry on earth not to kings, not to the rulers of the earth, but to those whom he called and chose as servants of His words and sacraments. So, the priesthood is invaluable for the salvific actions of God to continue to the end of time. It is not about the personality of the priest; some priests are more intelligent, some more likable, some not so much likeable, some loud, some quiet.
“We bring our talents, our competencies, our idiosyncrasies, our family upbringings and cultural backgrounds, imperfect though we are, (perfection towards we must strive), yet he has made us the carriers of his treasures, all to and for his glory and for human salvation. My plea will be that we pray for our priests, that we support them, that we hold up their arms like Moses’ were raised up, so that even in the moments of human weakness this salvific plan of our God would continue, and the story of God’s victory will continue to be told.”
What are you asking God for as you look toward the next 25 years?
“I ask that his goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life; that I will continue to live as a priest after the mind of Christ, the Good Shepherd and Eternal High Priest.
My song everyday is ‘Father nearer to thee, draw me nearer, nearer to thee.’”
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