Very Rev. Msgr. Luke Onyekachukwu ILONU can best be described as a gentle
soul who cared deeply for his seminarians. His death is met with sadness from
generations of seminarians, ex-seminarians and priests. He was a man of great
faith, walking with Christ every day of his life.
Msgr. Papa Ilonu served as a Priest for 53 years and out of that, he spent 24 years
in ALAOKWA, which he transformed into St. Peters Seminary Okigwe.

That was 24 years of hard work,
24 years of solitary life,
24 years of fervent prayers,
24 years of endurance,
24 years of success and happy life.

That was 24 years lived in spiritual union with Christ, that showed the dignity and
the fruitfulness of celibacy.
I count myself as blessed to have gone through the rigorous discipline of our dear
Msgr. Papa Ilonu. He was an embodiment of integrity, the best rector of our time,
a great disciplinarian, a formator per excellence and an educationalist who will be
sadly missed. As junior seminarians, we really feared Papa, but we cherished his
formation and loved him. We benefited greatly from his experience and wisdom.
He was a good man, simple and without extravagance.

Msgr. Papa Ilonu abhorred materialism and gave his life to an ideal of service of
others especially as a formator. He was selfless in everything he did for our
diocese. Since his death, I have been contemplating the enormity of his sacrifice.
To give his life so totally to the wellbeing and progress of our diocesan junior
seminary is a commitment of indescribable proportions. His life was lived to the
beat of a drum that is so radically different from what today’s society considers
admirable.
The life of Msgr. Papa Ilonu pictures with great accuracy the dignity and
inestimable value of the priesthood in general. He gave an inspiring witness of his
love for God through self-sacrificing service in his priestly ministry. In this way,
he inspired generations of young men towards the love of Christ.
What stands out most about Msgr Papa Ilonu was his fidelity to prayer, especially
before the Blessed Sacrament. He always celebrated the holy Eucharist and said
his daily Office of prayer in the chapel. He spent long periods in prayer to God
and often spoke reverently about the Blessed Virgin Mary.

I am very grateful to Msgr Papa Ilonu for what I am today. I will remember him
in my prayers and masses, imploring the good Lord to grant him fellowship with the saints, and unbounded happiness and everlasting union with Jesus and his
beloved Blessed Virgin Mary.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God
rest in peace.

Amen.

Rev. Fr. Dr. Emeka Emeakaroha
AUSTRIA
8th July 2020