It was an epoch-making event for all the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in the Vice-Province of Nigeria on Friday 1st July 2022, as the past leadership team anchored by Sr Anthonia Ayeni handed over the leadership baton to the next team still piloted by Sr Ayeni for a second mandate with a new Vicar to the Vice-Provincial and three new councilors. It was a great day for all the professed DHS sisters, novices and postulants to witness this event that marked another beginning in the history of Nigeria Vice-Province. The ceremony was opened with a Eucharistic celebration by His Lordship Most Rev. Moses Chikwe, the Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri Diocese, Nigeria. The bishop during his introduction rejoiced with all the Daughters of the Holy Spirit generally and the Vice- Province of Nigeria in particular for the great work the Lord has done through them, both in the church and in the Nigerian society.
In his Homily, the Bishop recalled the gospel passage of the day according to Matthew, ‘Jesus came to call sinners and not the righteous… He came to serve’. The bishop reminded everyone present that Jesus called us to share in his mission of love in the world. The Lord Who called each of us into this way of life, continues to call us and send us on daily basis into His harvest. He has also called our sisters who assumed their offices today as they are to propagate His mission on earth.
Nobody is really perfect, none of us has it all. It is only when we entrust ourselves completely to God Who called us that He will make use of us as His instruments for evangelization. We are great instruments in the eyes of God and He requires of us to be docile to His Spirit within us. As Daughters, we have in abundance that Spirit of God in us. Just like the Blessed Virgin Mary, we ought to embrace our responsibilities with humility and sincerity. We are called to restore dignity in the lives of all who have lost that dignity and sense of respect. We are called to love our sisters right from the community so that we can extend it to those we meet out there.
After the hand-over rites, the bishop prayed for the new leadership team to remain faithful to God in their new responsibilities. The vice-provincial, Sr Anthonia Ayeni, her vicar Sr Clementina Emeghara DHS and the three Councilors: Sr. Rosemary Etim DHS, Sr. Felicia Ademola DHS and Sr. Hannah Okoliko DHS.
After the Eucharistic celebration, all the sisters in one accord sang, danced and rejoiced to the glory of God. It was also a great privilege to celebrate and rejoice in a special way with bishop Moses Chikwe who is also a brother to one of our DHS sisters since after his appointment and installation.
The event was rounded off the following day, 2nd July 2022 with a closing Mass of thanksgiving which was a votive Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated by the Bishop. This event has left a great and significant impact in the life and history of the DHS Vice- Province of Nigeria to the glory of God.
By Sr Patience Effiong DHS. Published on 5 July 2022
