4th September, 2009
WE LOVE YOU FR. LEO, REST IN PEACE
How terrifying and depressing it is for us to tread these odd and unpleasant grounds, so murky and dreary that even our enfeebled feet find it difficult to hold us up nor enclaim any progressive step for us. We have been hit by the most undesired reality of experiencing the untimely exit of our beloved, noble and cheerful brother and friend from this earthly realm.
Rev. Fr. Leonard Osimhekhena Ayonote, seven days have gone by since you closed your eyes to our world and bade a tearful goodbye to us all who love you dearly, yet it seemed like a nightmare which we have very much longed to wake up from if indeed it was. But here and now as we behold your lifeless body, we know we are not dreaming. It is true, yes, you are gone from our midst, you have answered the home-call, you have embarked so quickly on eternal flight to the great beyond, a land where joy shall never end.
So many questions have been asked regarding this unexpected journey you so courageously embraced at the young age of 28 and just only after one year in the priesthood; so much tears have been shed and still being shed as the reality continues to stare at us squarely in the face that we must now miss your amiable and blessed personality which made you a friend of all. But we are consoled by the fact that your journey, though early, is a blessed one, a divine call to the land where you will never grow old.
Fr. Leo, our dearest brother and friend, all of us your brother-priests, the Presbyterium of Auchi Diocese fondly remember you. We recall the vivacity and integrity of stature and style that graced your personality and with these you added fervor and sweetness to our fraternal bearing. Twenty-eight years ago, you sprung forth from your mother’s womb like flowers from a brook, into this world, opting to accomplish a mission which the Almighty designed for you even before he formed you in the womb (cf. Jer. 1:5). Ten years ago, you firmly answered God’s call by seeking and gaining admission to the Seminary. One year ago, you ascended God’s Altar as a priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Leosmiles, for that is the name you were fondly called because of your ever-cheerfulness, you knew the task before you right from the moment you were ordained, and so armed with tremendous human and heaven-inspired qualities, you launched into the ministry, and accomplished in one year, great strides and enviable records that may take others five years to achieve. Spiritually, you were a giant; intellectually, you were a genius; morally, you were a leading light; pastorally, you were a caring shepherd; and generally, you were a trendsetter.
Osi-Leo, with profound admiration, we salute your heroism and courage, for when you were faced with an impossible dilemma arising from that tragic autocrash, you carried upon yourself the supposed pains of all your other companions in the vehicle so that they could stay alive and healthy. Dearest one, in life, you were a great man, in exiting this world you were a hero, and now in death, you are star, a bright and radiant light shining through eternity.
“Life is beautiful, it seems to say”; but now you are faced with the inevitable principle of life, that what is received in time must be surrendered in time; that a faithful man must heed the heavenly call while his beloved ones are left to mourn his departure. Yet still, as today, we surrender to God’s will, we find it exasperating and difficult to hold back our tears.
In our crestfallenness, we remain thrilled; thrilled by your manifold imprints on the sands of time and history by which memories of you will forever sweetly linger. You were too precious, sweet and tender, with love and understanding, indeed greatly cherished than the finest of gold. Although you were young, you acted with the wisdom of choicest sages and excelled in the council of elders and great ones. You were a rare gem, a worthy priest, a jewel of inestimable value, a cheerful giver, symbol of selfless humanity, peace-maker, confessor and counselor; you were an achiever, full of vigour, compassion, love, care and dedicated to the course of the needy.
You were a priest of unique qualities who labored tirelessly for the flourishing of the kingdom of God on earth and for the qualitative enrichment of all those you encountered. What a loving, caring, humble, inspirational, cheerful, encouraging and wonderful epitome of beauty and excellence you were. Your memory will remain evergreen.
Fr. Leo, o quam cito sit transit gloria mundi (oh how swiftly the glory of the world passes). So quickly you have fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. Now there is laid for you the crown of righteousness (cf. 2 Tim 4: 7-8).
What can we say? We love you dearly, but God loves you more. We will miss you yet we are resigned to God’s holy will and bid you farewell to the land of perfect peace where we all hope to be someday. There we shall see you again, and together we shall celebrate God’s beatific presence forever.
Adieu Fr. Leo! Adieu Great and Smiling One!!
Adieu Our Dearest Brother!!!
Adieu Our Dearest Brother!!!
ADIEU.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE.
– Rev. Fr. Stan-William Ede
4th September, 2009
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