On Tuesday, 25th March 2025, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Hospital, Ipetumodu in Nigeria marked the 60th Anniversary of her existence in Nigeria.
This noble Health institute is situated in the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, Nigeria. A brief history of the said Catholic Hospital has it that it was established a few years before its official recognition in 1965 by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit missionaries. It started as a clinic by a white Scottish woman named Alice Mitchell. This young woman worked between Ile-Ife and Osogbo. shortly after the Nigeria’s independence in 1960. Two years later, Alice returned to Scotland while a Nigerian young nurse Mrs Iyiola took charge of the clinic in 1963 before she left for another job. This was about the time of Bishop Owen McCoy as the first bishop of Oyo diocese before Bishop Julius Adelakun took over. In 1964, the Daughters of the Holy Spirit Missionaries to Nigeria took over the running of the clinic which later developed into Maternity and was registered with valid license in 1965 under the Western Nigeria Ministry of health.
Till date, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital has received recommendations on quality services from various organizations and individuals. Some of the early Daughters of the Holy Spirit missionaries who have worked at Our Lady Hospital Ipetumodu include: Sr Ann Tighe, Sr Teresa Buckley, Sr Margaret Abbott and many others. Daughters of the Holy Spirit from Nigeria who have worked as Matrons include Sr Anthonia Ayeni DHS, Sr Abiola Adigboluja DHS and Sr Theresa Anthony DHS. Many other DHS in Nigeria have rendered their services in this hospital for the past decades.
On 25th March 2025, coincidentally on the Solemnity of the Annunciation, the hospital marked her Diamond Jubilee in the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo. This milestone jubilee recorded great testimonies from individuals, organizations and other groups of persons in the great services rendered so far. The celebration began with the Holy Mass, by the Chief celebrant Most Rev. John Oyejola, the Catholic Bishop of Osogbo Diocese in company of so many priests. In attendance also were Religious from other Congregations, various medical groups in the state, Daughters of the Holy Spirit, friends and well –wishers across the Country.
The Four major highlights of the Celebration included:
– Thanksgiving,
– Laying of the foundation of new building project for Maternity and Children’s wards,
– Book-lunch ‘A Legacy of Compassion’ written by the present Matron of the Hospital, Sr Theresa Anthony DHS.
– Award Giving Ceremony
During the thanksgiving Mass, Bishop Oyejola in his homily thanked God for His love, sustenance, and blessings upon the mission of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. He thanked God for the gift of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit to the diocese, through whose zealous commitment have kept dignified, the standard of the hospital to date. He equally thanked God for the lives of the Early Missionaries who worked tirelessly to with compassionate hearts and prayed God to grant eternal rest to those who have departed from this life and asked for God’s blessings and grace upon the present Nigerian DHS in their effort too.
He emphasized on the significance of the celebration which coincided with the solemnity of the Annunciation, where Mary faithfully accepted the mission of God saying ‘’Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to our word’’ (Luke 1:38). He further attested that the expression of Mary further demonstrates the value of service, faith, trust and commitment which is likened to the services which the sisters and others have faithfully rendered in the hospital. He observed that the testimonies laid by the sisters have proved that health care is not just a profession but a ministry; a ministry that is dear to the Heart of Jesus and to the Church, since healing encompasses not only the body but also the mind and soul. He pointed out that as we are equally celebrating the Jubilee year of hope, we are encouraged to trust more in the power, mercy and love of God in the mission entrusted to us. Our trust in God’s goodness and providence gives us the courage to serve others with compassion and kindness.
It was a day of joy for the Family of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in Nigeria, a joy expressed by dancing and singing together to the glory of God.
After the Holy Mass, the second part continued with the laying of the foundation stone by the bishop Oyejola, accompanied by other dignitaries including the Vice Provincial Superior, Sr Anthonia Ayeni and the Matron of the Hospital, Sr Theresa Anthony. The foundation was also blessed by the bishop.
This event was followed by the Book Launch ‘’A Legacy of Compassion’’. The book was reviewed by Dr. Akubo who strongly commended the effort of the writer Sr Theresa Anthony DHS particularly on the historical perspective.
A good number of persons were invited who gave testimonies about the health benefits received so far since the inception of the hospital. They also testified to the powerful intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the lives of many patients who have come to receive medical attention. There was also the presentation of Awards to different persons who have served and contributed to the growth of the hospital in different capacities.
There was the cutting of the Anniversary cake, jointly cut by the bishop, priests, the vice-provincial superior, Sr Theresa Anthony and some of the invited guests. After the cutting of the cake different cultural displays were performed by pupils and students from the invited institutions. This added more colour to the celebration as the Daughters of the Holy Spirit present joined in expressing their joy.
It was in deed a fulfilled and joyous epoch-marking celebration.
By Sister Patience EFFIONG DHS. Published on 31 March 2025
