There is time for everything and to every man there is a beginning. This beginning marks the starting point of one’s journey towards making meaning of one’s existence as a contingent being. In this light, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Ogundipe was born on August 12th, 1978 at Ijebu Isagamu in the western part of Nigeria to the family of Prince James
Ogundipe. He is a prominent son of Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, in Ogun State. The second child of the family of four; comprising three sons and a daughter, is a man of fascinating and extraordinary personality. In this, he believes strongly in the philosophy of “time heals every wound”. As a matter of fact he has always learnt to condition his conditions in the spirits of perseverance and humility, rather than allowing his conditions to condition him. So, one can rightly say that Fr. Lawrence Ogundipe was born into a humble family.
At 5, Fr. Ogun as he was fondly called began his educational pursuit in St. Peter primary school Ota, Ogun State. However, between 1990 and 1995, he attended Anglican Grammar school in Ota and then later, Government Technical College, Ikotun-Egbe, in Lagos State. In the spirit of being versatile, Fr. obtained between 1996 and 1999, a Diploma in plumbing and pipe-fitting; and further engaged himself in learning Theatre Arts as a director, script writer and cinematographer. In this same spirit, Fr. is a recognized member of the following association, namely The Scout Nigeria, pioneer member of Awori 3rd Company, Boys’ Brigade Corps, NACAN (National Association of Christian Artist of Nigeria), NACATHS (National Association of Catholic Theology Students), ANTP (Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners. He also featured in the following films: Ida-Isegun, Oyin Kikan, Taladajo, Ade ola-Onibepe-Oru, Deceptive Games, Who is responsible? Just a Hug and other likes. Furthermore, Fr. Ogun is also the Graphic Manager of the Vocationist Search Magazine(s), the Production Manager of NACATH Journal of African Theology. As a writer, he has authored “Let us pray with St. Lawrence”. He worked for few years at Unique pharmaceuticals company then became the executive director of Blue dreams concept. He is a creative man of our epoch who believed strongly that man will travel in waves someday as a means of transportation.
As a dynamic fellow, Fr. Ogundipe had an enriching and inspiring spiritual foundation. His father, a member of African Methodist Church baptized him with the name Samuel. This was in the fulfillment of the father’s promise to offer one his sons to God. But owing to his conversion into the catholic faith, he received again the name Lawrence on December 31st, 1985. This was followed by the reception of First Holy Communion and Confirmation in 1986 and 1994 respectively. Interestingly, these spiritual foundational experiences were the bedrock of Fr. Ogun’s sincere zeal and interest to the catholic priesthood. And in the spirit of discerning this vocation which he discovered, he took the Most Holy Mary as his grandmother. Little wonder some of his friends call him “the grandson of Mary”. Hence, this ardent devotion to Our Lady was further cemented with his consecration to God as a slave through Mary in the Confraternity of our Lady of Queen of all heart.
Nevertheless, soon after, his zeal for priesthood started to dwindle but thanks to God who re-enkindled in him the fire of His love as a result of his encounter with a Vocationist priest, which led to his admission into the Vocationist Fathers and Brothers in 2005. On January 18th, 2006, Fr. began his postulancy in the Mother House of the Vocationist Fathers and Brothers, in Oparanadim, Mbaise, Imo State. And having completed his one year canonical novitiate in the same place, which he was admitted to on August 27th, 2007, Fr. received his First vow as a religious on August 28th, 2008.
In the pursuit and fulfillment of his priestly academic formation, Rev. Fr. Ogun obtained B.A Hons Philosophy from Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Ibadan; in affiliation to the University of Ibadan in the year 2011. But before he commenced his studies in theology, he received as it pleases God his Last religious vow as a Vocationist in 2012. However, having being soaked in the depths of catholic theology at the Domican Institute, Samonda, Ibadan; Fr. Ogun received B.Th from St. Thomas Aquinas Pontifical University (Angelicum), Rome. So, in the spirit of service to God in humanity and as a part of the prerequisite for seminary training, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Ogundipe had his pastoral and apaostolic work experiences in the following ecclesiastical jurisdictions:
- JUSTIN RUSSOLLILO’S VOCATIONARY IBADAN-2008, 2009,
- ASSUMPTA CATHEDRA OWERRI ARCH-DIOCESE -2010
- SS JUDE & ANTHONY UMBAUKWU AKWA DIOCESE-2013
- ST DOMINIC CATHOLIC CHURCH AFARA OWERRI ARCH-DIOCESE-2015
Rev. Fr. Law was admitted into the minor ministry of Lector and Acolyte in the years 2013 and 2014 respectively. He was ordained a catholic deacon on October, 25th, 2014. And as it pleases God he is a priest of God in the order of Melchizedek. Currently working at St christopher catholic Church Adeleye Ayetoro Abeokuta Diocese Nigeria. May God guide and bless all who have come to witness the fulfillment of a journey to the priesthood which began many years ago. We wish Fr. Ogun the gifts he had always prayed for and they are the prudence of Bishop Odotoyibo, eloquence and dignity of Bishop Alaba, and the intelligence of Fr. Akinwale. And may God grant you, Padre! A fruitful priestly service in the vineyard of the Lord in Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
AD MULTOS ANNOS!
IFEDINMA JOHNBOSCO SDV.
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