Vice-Province of Nigeria: final vows

It was a joyful moment for the entire Daughters of the Holy Spirit in the Vice- Province of Nigeria dated 26^th October 2024, because they had another wonderful opportunity to attend the perpetual profession of vows of vows of their three sisters: Sister Lydia Ewereoke, Sister Valentina Iyishu and Sister Charity Okoro. The celebration took place at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Imo Ilesa in the Diocese of Osogbo.

The sisters’ joy knew no bounds from the evening before, during evening prayer with the three sisters, surrounded by their sisters, families, friends, parishioners and benefactors. Each of the three sisters gave a testimony of their journey so far in the Congregation of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit and how each had experienced the special love of Christ. They also expressed their gratitude for receiving life through a good formation.
Each of them presented a symbol that evoked in a significant way the life they had received: – a clay pot, symbolising the relationship with God the Creator, showing her total dependency on Him Who can make into who she must be; – a coconut plant and – palm fruit representing the usefulness of one’s experiences born through pains, challenges and courage, just as the process each of the plants goes through before attaining its fruition. At the end of this exercise, the parents of the three sisters were asked to offer a special prayer for each of their daughters.

On 26^th October, the celebration commenced with the Holy Mass presided over by the Catholic bishop of Osogbo diocese Most Rev. John Oyejola. Present also were priests from various dioceses, representatives of bishops from other dioceses where Daughters of the Holy Spirit are serving, Religious from different congregations, DHS Associates, Novices, Postulants, students and pupils from schools where Daughters of the Holy Spirit are working.
In his homily, Reverend Father Patrick Ajayi pointed out that a perpetual profession such as this is a celebration of God’s love, a love given and received. It is also a covenant that transcends human understanding. He encouraged the sisters, other religious and priests present to prove their love for God through their service to humanity. He added that the expression of love produces an interior joy that is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Religious should be people of joy and hope, as the psalm of the day (Psalm 33) says: ‘Blessed be the people whom the Lord has chosen as his inheritance’. He insisted on the need to live community life to the full, loving and putting into practice the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. He also encouraged the sisters to trust in the Holy Spirit. Finally, he emphasised the virtues that are most important in religious life and that carry us through our journey: humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness.
After pronouncing their vows, the three sisters were declared by the Vice-Provincial Superior, Sr Anthonia Ayeni, as definitive members of the Congregation, giving rise to resounding shouts of joy, songs and dances to the glory of God. Everyone expressed their joy during the time of thanksgiving.

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the bishop Most Rev John Oyejola thanked God for the day so beautiful and glorious. He thanked the Congregation of Daughters pf the Holy Spirit as a whole and the Vice-Province of Nigeria in particular for their unwavering faith and commitment in propagating the DHS Charism wherever they are inserted. He congratulated the Vice-Province and the three sisters for taking a bold step to respond to the love of Christ. He prayed for God’s special grace for every sister to keep Daughters of the Holy Spirit.
Sr Rosemary Etim one of the DHS Councilors in the Vice- Province rendered a vote of thanks to all present at the occasion, for their heartfelt support, prayers, presence and love shown before and during the celebration. She wished everyone a joyful journey back to their destinations. It was in deed a joyous day.

By Patience EFFIONG, DHS. Published on 31 October 2024

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