Celebrating the life of
Chidi Ezennia Osondu
Passed away on November 14, 2010
SAVANNAH - Father Chidi Ezennia Osondu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Savannah, died November 14 in New Delhi, India from complications following the rejection of a transplanted kidney.
Father Osondu, 37, was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 2005 in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Savannah.
His first assignment was as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anne Church, Columbus, followed by Parochial Vicar at Saint James Church in Savannah.
A native of Nigeria and a member of the Igbo tribe, Father Osondu was the first of Luke and Susanna Osondu's seven children. His full first name was Chidiebere which means "God is merciful".
He earned his bachelor of philosophy degree from the Claretian Institute of Philosophy in Owerri, Nigeria an affiliate of the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. He joined the secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers in 1994 where he completed his novitiate.
In 2000 Fr. Osondu immigrated to the U.S., at the invitation of a Josephite priest, in order to become a missionary diocesan priest. St. Joseph Parish in Augusta served as his home parish while he was studying for the diocesan priesthood. In 2004 he earned a Master of Arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He was ordained a deacon in 2004 and earned a Masters of Divinity, with high honors, at Saint Vincent in 2005.
He received the Omer U. Kline, OSB Homiletics Award, an award given to the fourth-year student who has most clearly demonstrated excellence in preaching. Father Osondu delivered the homily at the 2008 Saint Patrick's Day Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah.
Besides his parents, Father Osondu is survived by three sisters, Adaora Osondu, a professor at Abafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, Sister Oluchi Osondu, a member of the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Mercy congregation, and Chika Osondu, a student at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Nigeria; and three brothers, Amaobichi Osondu and his wife, Gloria, and their son, Chidubem, of Augusta, Georgia, K. C. Osondu, a seminarian for the Diocese of Awgu in Nigeria, and Nnajiofor Osondu, a seminarian for the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy SMMM Congregation.
There will be a Memorial Mass for Fr. Chidi Osondu at St. James Catholic Church at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, November 23, 2010. Bishop J. Kevin Boland will officiate and Fr. John Lyons will preach.
The Funeral and Burial for Reverend Chidi Osondu will be held in his native Diocese of Awgu in Nigeria on Friday, December 17, 2010. A Wake Service will be held the previous evening, Thursday, December 16, 2010, at the family's home.
Condolence cards may be sent to the Osondu family in care of the Catholic Diocese of Savannah, 601 E. Liberty Street, Savannah, GA 31401-5196.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
Fr. Chidi, you were a good priest who gave excellent homilies. Your love for Christ and the Eucharist was strongly evident. Your desire for your congregants to live hioly lives was clear. Thank you , as another has previously said, for being you. May God grant you eternal rest and peace. May His light shine on you forever.
- Heidi Coleman Nead, Spencer, OK
Wow! Chidi. From communicating with you in 2009 then we lost contact. Then I read the news on the Internet of your departure. I was surprised. May God grant you eternal rest and consolation to all your family members whom I know so faintly. Wow!!
- Rev. Victor C. Yakubu, Glendale, AZ
when i think of you, i just want to tell you 'Thank you' thank you for being you, thank you for teaching me a lot and thank God for you. i always immagine where you are, what you are doing......but then, knowing how many lives you touched and how much love you shared, i know you're just there where we all want to be... and for some reason, i think you are even happier. Thank you MAD.
- Victoria ekeh, ,
You touched many lives Ezennia and they were transformed. God rest and keep you till we gather again for the everlasting sacrifice in HIS presence. I love you very much and till then will be missing you. Yr lonesome brother, dede Uce.
- Rev. Uche Iheke, APO, - Other
FATHER CHIDI IS A GREAT MAN WE MISS HIM SO MUCH I PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF FR. CHIDI I PRAY TO GOD TO GRANT HIM PEACEFUL REST.GOD BE WITH YOU.
- OKEKE SILVESTER, Enugu, - Other
FR.CHIDI WAS NICE, MAY GOD REST HIM IN PEACE. AMEN
- TONY EBOH, , - Other
Death respects no one, like a fly it perches on crown and on the spade. Padre, u re not suppose to die but u did, it's quite soon. Am very lucky to have worked with you. VOICE OF CHILDREN INT'L is an organisation where i felt your Love and Kindness, really you are a true man of God.May ur soul rest in peace.
- Nwezeakor Anulika Frances, , GA
Fr. Chidi:'Are you feeling home already? I asked him soon after he arrived at St James. 'It's going to take a while', he said. Very soon he wan the hearts of so many specially the youth, for his personal dedication and his love for truth and justice. I joined you spiritually at the memorial mass. May your soul rest in peace at Home with the Father,the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- Sonia Carbonell, Benicia, CA
I am so sad. What a loss to the Church and the Savannah diocese. He was a wonderful confessor with great compassion
- Sister Judith Ann Geschke, Coladale, PA
Father Chidi was an exceptional priest.....he was warm, loving, enthusiastic and made everyone feel very special....we will miss his beautiful smile and his wonderful homilies....We know he is sitting at the right hand of the Father, smiling broadly..Eternal rest, Father....
- Lou and Gerry Molella, Savannah, GA
Ichie Onudugo Ezennia was, is and will always remain my brother and very very close friend. Dearest brother, you were a brother indeed, no doubts.Its never by choice- one is always called or even mandated. When you have met him God,don't forget us as you never did around here. May your peaceful Soul, remain in Peace-and as you always say- Ka Chim meere gi iheoma.
- Fr. DesNewman Egbo, ISch., Argentina, GA
WHAT A GREAT JOY TO BE AT YOUR ORDINATION; SADNESS AT THE LOSS OF YOUR PRESENCE IN THIS WORLD; JOY IN KNOWING THAT YOU NOW SHARE IN THE JOY OF THE LORD.
- FR. BRIAN FOX, S.S.J., HOUSTON, TX
Fr. Chidi, May our Merciful God grant your gentle Soul a peaceful rest among the Saints in heaven,Amen.
- Samuel J. kalu, lafayette, IN
I was lucky enough to meet Father Chidi where I am employed. He always spread his special rays of love and kindness on each visit. He was a true messenger of the Father and a favorite of the whole office. We will miss his smile and laughter.
- Kay Wade, Savannah, GA
Fr. Chidi, you were a good priest who gave excellent homilies. Your love for Christ and the Eucharist was strongly evident. Your desire for your congregants to live hioly lives was clear. Thank you , as another has previously said, for being you. May God grant you eternal rest and peace. May His light shine on you forever.
- Heidi Coleman Nead, Spencer, OK
Wow! Chidi. From communicating with you in 2009 then we lost contact. Then I read the news on the Internet of your departure. I was surprised. May God grant you eternal rest and consolation to all your family members whom I know so faintly. Wow!!
- Rev. Victor C. Yakubu, Glendale, AZ
when i think of you, i just want to tell you 'Thank you' thank you for being you, thank you for teaching me a lot and thank God for you. i always immagine where you are, what you are doing......but then, knowing how many lives you touched and how much love you shared, i know you're just there where we all want to be... and for some reason, i think you are even happier. Thank you MAD.
- Victoria ekeh, ,
You touched many lives Ezennia and they were transformed. God rest and keep you till we gather again for the everlasting sacrifice in HIS presence. I love you very much and till then will be missing you. Yr lonesome brother, dede Uce.
- Rev. Uche Iheke, APO, - Other -
FATHER CHIDI IS A GREAT MAN WE MISS HIM SO MUCH I PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF FR. CHIDI I PRAY TO GOD TO GRANT HIM PEACEFUL REST.GOD BE WITH YOU.
- OKEKE SILVESTER, Enugu, - Other -
FR.CHIDI WAS NICE, MAY GOD REST HIM IN PEACE. AMEN
- TONY EBOH, , - Other -
Death respects no one, like a fly it perches on crown and on the spade. Padre, u re not suppose to die but u did, it's quite soon. Am very lucky to have worked with you. VOICE OF CHILDREN INT'L is an organisation where i felt your Love and Kindness, really you are a true man of God.May ur soul rest in peace.
- Nwezeakor Anulika Frances, , GA
Fr. Chidi:'Are you feeling home already? I asked him soon after he arrived at St James. 'It's going to take a while', he said. Very soon he wan the hearts of so many specially the youth, for his personal dedication and his love for truth and justice. I joined you spiritually at the memorial mass. May your soul rest in peace at Home with the Father,the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- Sonia Carbonell, Benicia, CA
I am so sad. What a loss to the Church and the Savannah diocese. He was a wonderful confessor with great compassion
- Sister Judith Ann Geschke, Coladale, PA
Father Chidi was an exceptional priest.....he was warm, loving, enthusiastic and made everyone feel very special....we will miss his beautiful smile and his wonderful homilies....We know he is sitting at the right hand of the Father, smiling broadly..Eternal rest, Father....
- Lou and Gerry Molella, Savannah, GA
Ichie Onudugo Ezennia was, is and will always remain my brother and very very close friend. Dearest brother, you were a brother indeed, no doubts.Its never by choice- one is always called or even mandated. When you have met him God,don't forget us as you never did around here. May your peaceful Soul, remain in Peace-and as you always say- Ka Chim meere gi iheoma.
- Fr. DesNewman Egbo, ISch., Argentina, GA
WHAT A GREAT JOY TO BE AT YOUR ORDINATION; SADNESS AT THE LOSS OF YOUR PRESENCE IN THIS WORLD; JOY IN KNOWING THAT YOU NOW SHARE IN THE JOY OF THE LORD.
- FR. BRIAN FOX, S.S.J., HOUSTON, TX
Fr. Chidi, May our Merciful God grant your gentle Soul a peaceful rest among the Saints in heaven,Amen.
- Samuel J. kalu, lafayette, IN
I was lucky enough to meet Father Chidi where I am employed. He always spread his special rays of love and kindness on each visit. He was a true messenger of the Father and a favorite of the whole office. We will miss his smile and laughter.
- Kay Wade, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
