2024 CALENDAR OF MAJOR EVENTS

JANUARY

  • January 1st: New Year Day (Solemnity of Mary Mother of God) - World Day for Peace.
  • January 6th: Re-union of the Bishop of Umuahia with Priests and Religious working in Umuahia Diocese. Venue: Mater Dei Cathedral, Umuahia. Time: Mass begins by 10:00am.
  • January 6th: Resumption of SMMM Schools for 2nd Term 2023/2024 Academic Year.
  • January 7th: Epiphany of the Lord (Solemnity) (B).
  • January 8th: Baptism of the Lord (Feast).
  • January 8th: Lectures Begins at SMMM Schools.
  • January 10th: SMMM Brothers’ Discussion Forum (Open Forum) at SMMM Generalate House. Mass begins by 9:00 am.
  • January 11th: SMMM Golden & Silver Jubilee Celebration at the Generalate, Mass @ 10.am.
  • January 13th: SMMM Education Board visit to Mercy Seminary Bende, Umuahia, Abia State.
  • January 14th: Major Superiors’ Meeting begins.
  • January 15th: Meeting of the Old Boys of Mercy Seminary Bende at Mercy Seminary Bende, Umuahia, Abia State, Mass begins by 10:00am.
  • January 19th: Major Superiors’ Meeting ends.
  • January 24th: Thirty-fifth (35th) Anniversary of the death of Rev. Fr. Michael Chukwu, SMMM (Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses today).

FEBRUARY

  • February 1st: Nineteenth (19th) Anniversary of the death of Rev. Fr. Christopher Chukwu, SMMM (Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses today).
  • February 2nd: Feast of Presentation of the Lord (World Day for Consecrated Men and Women).
  • February 3rd: Meeting of SMMM and DMMM General Councils at SMMM Generalate House, Afaraukwu. Time: 11.00am.
  • February 8th: Sons/Daughters Festival of Arts and Culture (FAC).
  • February 12th: Twenty-fourth (24th) Anniversary of the death of Our Father Founder Most Rev. Anthony Gogo Nwedo, C.S.Sp. Venue: DMMM Generalate, Ahiaeke, Umuahia. Time: Holy Mass begins by 10:00 am.
  • February 14th: Ash Wednesday (Day of Fast and Abstinence), the beginning of the Lenten Season.
  • February 17th: Mid-term break for SMMM Schools begins.
  • February 19th: SMMM Council Meeting at SMMM Generalate House. Time: 10.00am.
  • February 24th: Fifteenth (15th) Anniversary of the death of Bro. Theodore Onyemauchechukwu Kaonyeuloaso, SMMM(Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses).
  • February 24th: Mid-term break for SMMM Schools ends.
  • February 21sth: Oral Interview for the incoming 2024/2025 Aspirants at SMMM Generalate House, Afaraukwu Umuahia. Time: 10.00am.
  • February 27th: SMMM Education Board visits to Lucy Memorial Secondary School Amairi. Time: 10.00am.

MARCH

  • March 1st: Posting of the 2024/2025 Postulants at SMMM Generalate, Afaraukwu, Umuahia.
  • March 2nd: Conference for the 2023/2024 Postulants by the Postulants’ Director at Mercy Seminary, Bende. Time: 10.00am.
  • March 10th: SMMM Brothers Annual Retreat begins at the Sons of Mary Generalate House, Afaraukwu Umuahia: Arrival day.
  • March 11th: WAEC Mock Examinations begins in SMMM Schools.
  • March 11th: Revision begins in SMMM Schools.
  • March 14th: Seminar/Workshop on Health for all our members. Venue: Sons of Mary Generalate House, Afaraukwu, Umuahia. Time 10.00am.
  • March 15th: SMMM Brothers Annual Retreat ends.
  • March 15th: Revision ends.
  • March 18th: Second Term Exams Begin.
  • March 21st: End of WAEC Mock Exams.
  • March 26th: Fourteenth (14th) Anniversary of the death of Bro. Hyacinth Chikwe, SMMM (Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses today).
  • March 28th: End of Second Term Exams.
  • March 30th: End of Second Term; Vacation begins.
  • March 31st: Easter Sunday (Christ is truly risen - Alleluia).

APRIL

  • April 3rd: Vicariate Examination at SMMM Generalate House for Theology 4, 3, 2 and 1. Time: 10.00 am.
  • April 4th: Orientation Course (Psychological Test) for 2024/2025 Postulants begins at SMMM Retreat and Conference Centre. Arrival: Before 6:00pm.
  • April 9th: Psychological Test for the 2024/2025 Postulants ends but their Orientation Programme continues.
  • April 16th: Orientation Course for the 2023/2024 Postulants ends.
  • April 18th: Superior General’s Canonical visit to Europe begins.
  • April 19th: Seventh (7th) Anniversary of the death of Rev. Bro. Godfrey Oboshi, SMMM (Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses today).
  • April 20th: 3rd Term for 2023/2024 Academic Year Begins.
  • April 21st: Fourth Sunday of Easter (B) Good Shepherd Sunday: (Today, special prayers shall be offered for vocations to the Priesthood and the Consecrated Life).
  • April 22nd: Lectures begin.

MAY

  • May 2nd: SMMM Education Board visit to Bishop Nwedo Memorial Boys High School, Ossah.
  • May 9th: Day of Recollection at Holy Family Secondary School Aguneze, (Rev. Fr. Anyiam Benedict, SMMM - Moderator) Time: 10.00am.
  • May 9th: Tenth (10th) Anniversary of the death of Rev. Fr. Gilbert Dasna, SMMM(Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses today).
  • May 12th: Ascension Thursday (The beginning of Novena to the Holy Spirit) .
  • May 19th: Pentecost Sunday (End of Eastertide and the beginning of Ordinary Time).
  • May 22nd: Major Superiors’ Meeting in Rome Begins.
  • May 24th: Major Superiors’ Meeting in Rome ends.
  • May 25th: Conference for the 2023/24 Postulants by the Postulants Director at Mercy Seminary Bende. Time: 10.00am.
  • May 25th: Mid-Term Break begins.
  • May31st: Twelfth (12th) Anniversary of the death of Rev. Fr. Daniel Ochiabuto, SMMM. (Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses today).

JUNE

  • June 1st: End of Mid-Term Break.
  • June 6th: Day of Recollection at Holy Family Secondary School Umundugba, Imo State (Rev. Fr. Christopher Nwizu, SMMM- Moderator) Time: 10.00am.
  • June 7th: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Solemnity): World day of Prayer for Sanctification of Priests and Religious.
  • June 8th: Third (3rd) Anniversary of the death of Rev. Fr. Malachy Chimezie Ibe, SMMM(Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses today).
  • June 10th: Mid-term Break Begins.
  • June 13th: St. Anthony of Padua (Memorial): In today’s Mass, kindly pray for Our Father Founder, since today is the Feast Day of his Patron Saint.
  • June 17th: Mid-term Break Ends.
  • June 19th: SMMM Education Board visit to Holy Family Secondary School, Aguneze.
  • June 20th: First Anniversary of the death of Rev. Bro. Christopher Opara, SMMM. (Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses today).
  • June 27th: School Board, Auditing Board and Financial Council Meet with Rectors & Vice Rectors, Principals & Vice Principals, Novice Master, Financial Administrator General, Water Factory Manager, Sons Digital Press Manager, School Bursars and all our brothers working in our Schools and Formation Houses. Venue: Bishop Nwedo Memorial Boys High School, Ossah, Umuahia. Time: 10.00am.

JULY

  • July 1st: Revisions Begins
  • July 5th: Revision Ends.
  • July 8th: Third Term Unified Examinations for SMMM Schools begin.
  • July 9th: Collection of Prospectus by the 2023/2024 Postulants at SMMM Generalate by 10:00am and their Holiday begins.
  • July 14th: Retreat for SMMM Priestly Ordination begins at SMMM Novitiate, Umule.
  • July 18th: Third Term Unified Examinations for SMMM Schools end.
  • July 20th: Long Vacation for SMMM Schools begins.
  • July 19th: Meeting of the Old Boys of Mercy Seminary Bende and Friends of the SONS at SMMM Generalate, Afaraukwu, Umuahia. Time: Mass begins by 12:00pm.
  • July 19th: Retreat for SMMM Priestly Ordination ends.
  • July 20th: SMMM PRIESTLY ORDINATION. TIME: 10:00AM MASS.
  • July 23rd: Posting of the newly Ordained Priests at SMMM Generalate, Time: 10: 00am.
  • July 25th: SMMM Council Meeting at SMMM Generalate House. Time: 10.00am.

AUGUST

  • August 2nd: Fifteenth (15th) Anniversary of the death of Rev. Fr. Benedict Iheanyichukwu Oparaji, SMMM (Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses today).
  • August 3rd: Conference for the 2024/2025 Postulants and their Parents at SMMM Retreat and Conference Centre, Afaraukwu, Umuahia, Time: 11:00am.
  • August 4th: Holiday for 2023/2024 Postulants ends/Arrival to Novitiate.
  • August 7th: Twentieth (20th) Anniversary of the death of Rev. Fr. Malachy Chinwetara, SMMM (Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses today).
  • August 15th: Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Congregation’s Major Feast Day): Clothing of the New Novices at SMMM Novitiate House, Umule.
  • August 15th: Orientation Programme for the newly Ordained Priests at SMMM Generalate. Time: 11.00am.
  • August 16th: School Board, Auditing Board and Financial Council Meet with Rectors and Vice Rectors, Principals & Vice Principals, Novice Master, Financial Administrator General, Water Factory Manager, Sons Digital Press Manager, School Bursars and all our brothers working in our Schools and Formation Houses. Venue: Bishop Nwedo Memorial Boys High School, Ossah, Umuahia. Time: 10.00am.
  • August 24th: Twenty-ninths (29th) Anniversary of the death of Rev. Bro. Cyril Jude-Mary Akannoh, SMMM(Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses today).
  • August 26th: SMMM Council Meeting at SMMM Generalate House. Time: 10.00am.
  • August 31st: Posting of the newly Ordained Priests takes effect.

SEPTEMBER

  • September 1st: Retreat for Novices in preparation for their First Religious Profession begins.
  • September 1st: Re-union of Seminarians with the Superior General begins at Bishop Nwedo Memorial Boys’ High School, Ossah.
  • September 6th: Retreat for Novices in preparation for their First Religious Profession ends.
  • September 6th: Re-union of Seminarians with the Superior General ends.
  • September 7th: Resumption of SMMM Schools for First Term 2024/2025Academic Year for New In-takes.
  • September 7th: FIRST RELIGIOUS PROFESSION AT HOLY TRINITY PARISH, UMULE Mass begins by 10.00am.
  • September 8th: Mid-Term Evaluation (Plenary Council) begins at the Generalate.
  • September 9th: Orientation for the Opening of the Academic Year for New Students.
  • September 10th: Twenty-Second (22nd) Anniversary of the death of Rev. Fr. Bartholomew Awurum, SMMM (Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses today).
  • September 14th: Resumption of SMMM Schools for First Term 2024/2025Academic Year for Old Students.
  • September 15th Superior General’s Canonical visit to North America begins.
  • September 16th: Mid-Term Evaluation ends.
  • September 16th: Lectures Begin.
  • September 25th: SMMM Education Board visit to Holy Family Secondary School, Osusu Isiala-Ngwa.

OCTOBER

  • October 1st: Our Lady Queen of Nigeria: Let us pray for our Country Nigeria through the intercession of Mary Queen of Nigeria.
  • October 10th: Day of Recollection at Assumption Parish Obowo (Rev. Fr. Amaraegbulam Charles, SMMM- Moderator) Time: 10.00am.
  • October 14th: SMMM Council Meeting at SMMM Generalate House. Time: 10.00am.
  • October 13th: 19th Mid-Term Break begins.
  • October 25th: Foundation Day Celebration of our Congregation- SMMM.
  • October 26th: Mid-Term Ends.
  • October 30th: Second (2nd) Anniversary of the death of Rev. Fr. Dr. Alban Obani, SMMM (Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses today).

NOVEMBER

  • November 2nd: Commemoration of All the Faithful departed: Mass for our deceased members at the Novitiate House, Umule. Time: 12.00pm. Visit to the Grave Site of Our Father Founder, Bishop Anthony Gogo Nwedo, C.S.Sp at Mater Dei Cathedral.
  • November 7th: SMMM Education Board visit to Holy Family Secondary School, Mgboko.
  • November 9th: (Every Second Saturday in November) Written Examinations for 2024/2025 Aspirants (Internal candidates) at Mercy Seminary, Bende, Time: 10.00am.
  • November 11th: Meeting of the Superior General and members of the Formation Team at the Generalate House, Time: 10: 00 am.
  • November 18th: Seminar at SMMM Generalate, Time: 10:00am.
  • November 20th: Meeting of the Major Superiors in Rome begins.
  • November 22nd: Meeting of the Major Superiors in Rome ends.

DECEMBER

  • December 2nd: Revision Begins.
  • December 6th: Revision Ends.
  • December 7th: (Every First Saturday in December) Written Examinations for 2022/2023 Aspirants (External candidates) at Bishop Nwedo Memorial Boys’ High School, Ossah, Umuahia, Abia State, Time: 10.00am.
  • December 8th: Retreat for Diaconate Ordination begins at the Sons of Mary Novitiate Umule. Arrival is before 6:00pm.
  • December 9th: First Term Examination Begins.
  • December 9th: SMMM Council Meeting at SMMM Generalate House. Time: 10.00am.
  • December 12th: Retreat for Diaconate Ordination ends.
  • December 13th: First Term Examination Ends.
  • December 13th: Final Religious Profession for Deacons Elect at SMMM Generalate House, Afaraukwu, Umuahia, Abia State.
  • December 14th: First Term Holidays Begins.
  • December 14th: SMMM DIACONATE ORDINATION. Mass begins by 10:00am.
  • December 16th: Fourteenth (14th) Anniversary of the death of Bro. Udochukwu Nwanuforo, SMMM (Kindly remember him in your prayers and Masses today).
  • December 25th: Christmas Day: Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Solemnity).

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