By Romanus Onwe
Names are more than mere labels. They possess power and significance. They are markers of history, identity and sometimes, destiny. My name is Romanus. Whenever I introduce myself, I get reactions like ‘Are you a Catholic?’ ‘Oh, the man from Rome!’ etc. I discovered over time that this name is uncommon unlike John, James, Peter, etc. Even when I prepare candidates (children and adults) for sacraments, they don’t choose the name. For over fifteen years in that ministry, I have never seen anybody that submitted Romanus as Baptism or Confirmation name. Even as a godparent, none of my godchildren has chosen to answer that.
Honestly, I never bothered to know the meaning of Romanus. All I know is that it is a Christian name and my mother was never wrong in making that choice, even though she did not know the meaning. But a time came when I decided to check the meaning. All the sources I contacted said the same thing: Romanus means Citizen of Rome. I was surprised. I was expecting to see a different meaning. Some names have some spiritual meanings attached to them. For example, John means ‘the Lord has given’; Joseph, ‘may the Lord increase’; Matthew, ‘gift from God’; Simeon, ‘God is listening’, etc. So, what’s spiritual about being the Citizen of Rome? If people ask me the meaning of Romanus I will tell them Citizen of Rome? To me, it lacks some spiritual essence.
But over time, especially as my Catholic Faith deepened, I began to see something greater—a name that constantly speaks to my identity and mission as a Christian. Each time I reflect on it, I hear a silent call: live not just as a citizen of the world, but as a true citizen of Faith. As I reflected more on its meaning—Citizen of Rome—I found myself deeply inspired by the deep connection between my name and my Catholic Faith. So, my name is not just an accident, after all. It is both an identity and a mission. It reminds me that my life must bear witness to the faith of my fathers and point others to the eternal city that awaits us all—not Rome on earth but the New Jerusalem in Heaven.
Rome, the Eternal City, is not just a geographical place on a world map. For all Christians, and especially for us Catholics, it is the heartbeat of our faith. It is the cradle of the Church, the Seat of Peter, and the symbol of unity across centuries and continents. It is the place where Saints Peter and Paul bore witness and consecrated their lives there, the home of the Successor of St. Peter; the enduring symbol of unity in the Church—the Body of Christ.
When I think of my name, I see beyond the empire and its ancient glory. I reflect on the blood of Martyrs spilled in Roman arenas where courage ignited the flame of faith that still burns in the Church today. I see the steadfast leadership of St. Peter, the Fisherman turned shepherd, who walked the streets of Rome and laid down his life there. I imagine and reflect on the lives of the Saints and Church Fathers who made Rome not only a capital of empire but a capital of Faith.
To bear a name that echoes Rome is, for me, to carry a constant reminder of belonging—not just to an earthly city but to a spiritual heritage that stretches to the apostles. My name challenges me. It reminds me that just as Rome became a center where roads converge, my own life must be a point where people can encounter Christ. It urges me to stand firm when trials come; to stay loyal to the truth of the gospel and to hold on to the universality that defines the Catholic Church. Again, my name reminds me daily of where I come from and where I am headed.
Furthermore, my name reminds me that citizenship is not only about rights but also about responsibility. So when I reflect on the graces I have enjoyed as an altar server, a Legionary, I see how much God has shaped me. I got seriously involved in the youth apostolate, sang as a Chorister, and still work as a voluntary catechist where I have the opportunity of preparing children and adults (including new converts) for sacraments. I also undertake preparatory classes for infant baptism and even for marriages. I worked as a Sacristan, go for street evangelization, and held different positions in the church. Then I realized, perhaps unconsciously, that I had been living as a Citizen of Rome.
For me, ‘Romanus’ is not only an identity, it is also a mission. It keeps me rooted in the story of my faith and pushes me toward the destiny of every believer: the Eternal City, not just Rome on earth, but the heavenly Jerusalem. So when I say or hear my name I do not just hear a word. I hear a calling, a reminder, and a responsibility. My name carries my faith, and my faith gives my name its deepest meaning. I hunger more to live as a Citizen of Rome by the grace of God; then I founded Heirs of Peter platform. My work is my name and I am happy it is.
Romanus Onwe is a passionate researcher and insightful writer dedicated to exploring faith, family, leadership, and the critical societal issues that shape humanity. Through his thought-provoking works, he seeks to inspire, educate, and contribute to the greater good of mankind. He is a Citizen of Rome and the Founder of Heirs of Peter, a platform for Catholic faith and formation. He has been catechizing the people of God and preparing them for Sacraments for over fifteen years now. His works such as Listen to Him: Catholic Catechism Book with Appropriate Scriptures, Mother of Popes, The Rosary in Your Hands, etc. can be accessed on Amazon.
