By Regina Igwebuike
The Catholic community of Amawbia will celebrate a Century of Faith on May 17, marking 100 years since the arrival of Catholicism in the town.
The Centenary, originally scheduled for 2025, was shifted to this year to allow for wider participation. It will bring together clergy, religious leaders, and thousands of Catholic faithful from Amawbia and across Anambra State.
The milestone dates back to 1925, when missionaries first introduced Catholicism to Amawbia, planting the seeds of a faith that has since become central to the community’s identity. Over the past 100 years, the Church has expanded from a small mission outpost into one of the most vibrant Catholic communities in the state, establishing parishes, schools, and charitable institutions that have shaped education, healthcare, and moral life in the area.
Rev. Fr. Donatus Oragwam, Parish Priest of St. Matthew, Amawbia, say the Centenary is both a moment of thanksgiving and a call to renewal.
“This is not just a celebration of years, but of God’s faithfulness and the resilience of our people,” the clergy said.
The weeklong program will feature football matches, quiz competition, public lecture, Thanksgiving Mass, and the symbolic planting of a Centenary tree. Cultural presentations and testimonies from elders who have witnessed the Church’s growth over the decades will also highlight the event.
The Centenary Planning Committee led by Engr. Chris Nwoye, said the celebration will honor pioneer missionaries and lay faithful whose sacrifices sustained the faith through generations. Organizers added that the event is expected to strengthen unity among Catholics and foster interfaith harmony in Amawbia.
For many residents, the Centenary underscores the Church’s lasting role in education, moral formation, and community development. It also offers an opportunity for the younger generation to reconnect with the heritage and values that have defined Amawbia Catholicism for a century.
As Amawbia Catholics, friends, and well-wishers gather on May 17, the Centenary stands as a tribute to 100 years of devotion, resilience, and service, with prayers for the next century of faith in the community.
Regina is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
