Let me introduce you to another of my blessed friends, as we prepare to celebrate the Extraordinary Month of Mission in October – Vivian Uchechi Ogu (1995-2009).
The striking heroism in the story of Vivian is in the remarkable way in which she expressed her Christian faith, having extraordinary influence on the lives of others from the tender age of nine and the courage with which she put into practice what she had been preaching when the opportunity came at the age of 14, opting to be killed rather than to be defiled.
Vivian Uchechi Ogu was born in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, on April 1 1995, the second of four children of Mr and Mrs Peter Ogu. Vivian was baptised at St Paul’s Catholic Church, Benin City, on July 1 1995, and she received her First Holy Communion at the same parish on March 21 2005. She was in the preparatory class for the sacrament of confirmation at the time of her death.
In secondary school she dreamed and worked towards becoming a lawyer so she could fight the cause of the poor and downtrodden, especially widows and orphans or, as she told one of her teachers, an aeronautic engineer, so she could prove to the world that it was not just a profession exclusive to the male population.
Her spiritual journey received new energy thanks to the Charismatic Catholic Renewal in which she began to participate with her parents. She took part in all special events in the Church, such as the yearly Children’s Day celebration, the annual Children’s Mission Day and the Christmas carol service.
With her deep conviction and love for God and her companions, Vivian proposed the idea of periodic sacrifice. She encouraged the children to engage in various acts of mortification for salvation, for their personal conversion and for the material and spiritual needs of the poorest children in the parish and the world. It is therefore not surprising that when the Pontifical Association of the Holy Childhood was inaugurated in the parish of St Paul in 2006, Vivian was unanimously elected as the first president.
During her tenure, she worked tirelessly to make the parish’s chapter second to none in the archdiocese in terms of carrying out works and prayers. Among the projects that she coordinated there was, on the occasion of Children’s Day in 2008, the collection of funds to cover the medical expenses of some disabled children at the Central Hospital of Benin City, and also to meet the needs of some children from the orphanages in Benin City.
On Sunday November 15 2009, while she was at home in the evening, armed thieves came and robbed her family and then took Vivian and her sister out of town to a rural area. The thieves tried to rape her, but when she vigorously refused, they shot and killed her.
On November 27 2009, after the Mass of Christian Burial in St Paul’s Church, her body was transported to her hometown of Aboh Mbaise for burial. The cause to recognise her as an example of Christian Martyrdom has now begun.
Vivian Uchechi Ogu, servant of God, pray for us!
Yours in blessed hope,