THE AUTHOR

Rev. Fr. Anthony Okwum is from Abia State, Nigeria. He is a Roman Catholic priest and a member of the Religious Congregation of St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart, known also as The Josephites. He was ordained a priest on June 1, 2013, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.
 
Fr. Anthony Okwum has a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, a Master of Arts degree in Theology from the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, DC, a Master of Divinity degree from the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, DC, and a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education, Indianapolis, Indiana. He also has professional certificates in Psychology from Doane University, Nebraska, in Public Financial Management from the International Monetary Fund Institute, Washington, DC, and in Contract Law from Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
 
Fr. Anthony Okwum has served as a priest in various ministries, which include teaching at a High school, Seminary formation, lecturing at a University and Institute, serving as Pastor (parish priest) in various Catholic churches, University chaplain, Military chaplain, Police chaplain, and Hospital chaplain. He is a Board-Certified Chaplain (BCC) with the National Association of Veteran Affairs Chaplains.
 
Fr. Anthony Okwum loves to practice martial arts. He is a Black Belt holder in Karate from the World Tang Soo Do Association. He loves to travel and has traveled to about fifteen countries for revivals, retreats, ministry, and vacations.
 
Fr. Okwum is a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus of Shrine Council #4944 and Assembly #151, and a fifth and noble degree member of the Knights of St. John International, Commandery 296.
 
Fr. Anthony Okwum believes that “one has to fight through some bad days in life to earn and achieve the best days of life.”