He was a gentle, unassuming man who never sought attention. Yet he lived through struggles familiar to man, spiritual dryness, fading physical strength, moments of doubt, and the slow demands of daily life. On his 94th birthday, the author did not encounter a man untouched by weakness, but one who constantly began again. He embodied St. Josemaría Escrivá’s reminder that “Perseverance is not a matter of holding on but of beginning again and again.”
That was Pa Agapitus, never perfect, always striving, rising after each fall, and leaning on God when his own strength was not enough.His life teaches us that sanctity does not belong only to those who start early or advance quickly, but to those who persevere steadily, trusting in grace, remaining faithful in weakness, and following the path God sets for them until the end.
Early Life and Career
Born on 31 August 1929 in Aba, Abia State, Pa Agapitus lived through the significant eras in Nigeria history; colonial rule, independence, the civil war and post-civil war. These experiences guided him with discipline, integrity, and resilience.
He began his public service career in 1957 with the Board of Internal Revenue. At a time when tax administration was often met with public suspicion and frequent confrontation, he distinguished himself through discipline and a quiet sense of duty. With God’s grace, he carried out his responsibilities faithfully until retirement.
Discovering Holiness in Ordinary Life
His spiritual horizon broadened when he encountered Opus Dei, where he discovered that holiness is found in the ordinary daily work, family responsibilities, and the small acts carried out with love. He drew deeply from the teachings of St. Josemaría Escrivá, where he discovered how to approach life’s struggles, “Do everything for love… Perseverance in little things for love is heroism” (The Way, no. 813). This conviction helped him in the way he approached each day, knowing that greatness before God often lies hidden in simple fidelity. Equally transformative was Escrivá’s insight that “Great holiness consists in carrying out the little duties of each moment” (The Way, no. 817). Through these teachings, he came to understand that every moment, no matter how small, could become a doorway to sanctity when embraced with love and faithfulness.
Teachings that deeply shaped the rhythms of his life
His journey to Opus Dei began after a painful personal loss, the death of his beloved wife, Veronica, a nurse and Major in the Nigerian Army, in 1981. Devastated and searching for meaning, he turned to prayer and even considered withdrawing from everyday life to devote himself entirely to contemplation. Providence, however, redirected him. During a visit to the Opus Dei's Ugwuoma Study Centre in Enugu, he encountered Fr. Ignatius and late Prof. Neri Picardo. The warm welcome he received put him at ease. When he shared his grief and desire for a secluded life, the priest gently asked, “If you make that choice, who will take care of your children?”
This question cut deeply and awakened him to his responsibilities. It marked the beginning of a new spiritual path. From then on, he regularly disposed himself to receiving formation from Opus Dei, which guided him to live fully in the middle of the world while taking care of his family. He discovered that holiness could be lived within ordinary life, through work, through family commitments, and through steady perseverance in faith. In 1992, he was formally admitted into Opus Dei as a Supernumerary member, a step that changed the rest of his life. His days became anchored in daily prayer, work, and service.
Even in old age, he remained devoted to daily Mass, praying the Rosary, receiving spiritual direction, and other means of formation in Opus Dei. When his health declined, his commitment did not fade. From his home in Abuja, he continued to encourage others to be fervent in following Christ; prays for them, and even helped to prepare his house boy for baptism.
Family, Love, and Quiet Strength
His greatest responsibilities lay at home. Raising his children without a spouse for many years due to death of wife brought many challenges, but he carried them with quiet faith, tenderness, and unwavering dedication. His love for his children and grandchildren showed not through material abundance but through presence, sacrifice, and daily acts of silent service. In this way, his home became the setting where his holiness quietly matured.
A Life of Gratitude
His 94th birthday was a moment of deep joy. Surrounded by family members and friends, he received the blessing of Fr. Anthony. In that occasion, reflecting on his life, he said with sincerity: “I am very grateful to God for leading me to Opus Dei. It has taught me to be holy, to be a good father, and to be a faithful servant of God.” He never pretended to be without struggles. Instead, he celebrated God’s patient work in him, a work he continued to rely on even in old age.
The life of Pa Agapitus affirms that perseverance is love expressed through fidelity. Through quiet prayer, service to family, and steadfast obedience in small things, he showed that holiness is within reach for all. As St. Josemaría wrote, “To begin is easy; to persevere is sanctity.”
Pa Agapitus persevered not because life was easy, but because with grace he always found his way back to God.
Lessons from His Life
The quiet endurance of Pa Agapitus was moulded by suffering, strengthened by responsibility, and sustained by the mercy of God. His life teaches us that the call to holiness is universal, meant for people of every age and circumstance.
Even in seasons of struggle, he showed that a person can keep alive the gentle flame of faith, hope, and love. Perseverance, as his life beautifully revealed, is not the absence of failure but the daily courage to rise again and rely on grace. He understood that true strength flows from knowing we are children of God, entrusted with a mission to love faithfully and generously. His journey inspires every Christian to continue with hope, to serve with joy, and to love to the very end. Though human weakness often walks beside us, God’s grace is always near, lifting us when we fall, steadying us when we falter, and faithfully leading us home.