Praised be Jesus and Mary,

My name is Victor Ifeanyi Njoku, I am a 33-year-old young man from Nigeria. I have been a Catholic all my life and nurtured my religious vocation from a tender age. I am also a Choir director and the organist of the only Latin Mass parish in Imo state Nigeria served by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP).

My first discernment was with the Capuchins (2010) here in Nigeria and later with the Franciscans of the Immaculate which I finally joined in 2012. I progressed from Aspirancy to Postulancy but could not proceed to the novitiate due to a suppression of the order in 2013.

Shortly afterwards I also applied to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) in Nigeria (2016), and I discerned for a year with the Institute of Christ the King (ICKSP) in Gabon (2021).

Not being successful in the above institutes I decided to finish my studies at the University. These came to an end in 2024 and I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music.

But still being desirous for the religious life, I learned from a friend about another family of Franciscans in the Philippines who have the same charism as the Franciscans of the Immaculate. I contacted them and they have accepted me to continue my vocation and formation.

This is where I stand at the moment. I have to get a tourist visa to the Philippines which costs about USD65 and a flight to the Philippines worth USD1,900.

My current job as a Choir director and organist pays me USD80 monthly and currently I am paying a yearly rent of USD200 which is about USD17 monthly. The cost of living modestly in Nigeria is about USD1,500 per month but I do not make up to this. Nor am I able to afford the above mentioned costs of the flight to the Philippines.

I have been requested to resume formation in a month time. This is practically impossible considering my current financial status.

I humbly solicit the assistance of good willed Catholics to help me achieve my desire to serve God in the religious life.

If you are unable to help me monetarily, I would appreciate your prayers for the success of my vocation.

May God reward you abundantly. Amen

Note: The picture with Rev. Fr. John Berg FSSP, Superior of the FSSP was taken during his last visit to Nigeria in 2025.