50years of the dedicated service of the sisters of the vice- province of Nigeria ⁽¹⁾

Daughters of the Holy Spirit, vice province of Nigeria came to birth in the year 1964 when four daughters of the Holy Spirit, came to Nigeria as a missionary project for the old Oyo Diocese.

What began as a tiny seed planted fifty years ago on the soil of Nigeria is now a big tree bearing fruits in abundance ⁽²⁾

The celebration of this event was a big bash which drew people from all walks of life to come and celebrate the breath of the Spirit of God in our world of today.

17^th October 2014 was marked by the arrival of hundreds of people of different age groups, tongues and nationality at Rene Burel Retreat and conference Centre, Ilesa, with joyful hearts, many of them exchanged warm signs of friendship, hugs, love and laughter as they reunite with old friends and family. There was an evening prayer said by   the twelve sisters for final vows (Sisters Alice Orji, Anthonia Ogunyomi, Esther Olusi, Esther Kolawole, Felicia Ademola, Hannah Okoliko, Janet Audu, Justina Akubo, Rosemary Okere, Rosemary Etim, Stella Oluwafemi, and Theresa Onu). The prayer centred on the importance of our togetherness. Arranged wrappers and a tied bunch of broom were used as the symbol. Each of   the twelve sisters for final vows also carried a lighted local lamp which symbolise Christ, the light of their life. It was a night of silence and prayer for   the twelve sisters for final vows as they prepared themselves for the final vows they were to pronounce the next day.

18^th October 2014 was the main day for this celebration, decorations were going on at different parts of the church, cooking were going on in the kitchen and there was dense traffic in Ile-Ife town as a very huge crowd trooped into the ss Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Lagere, Ile-Ife to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Presence of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in Nigeria. Most of those present were dressed in the anniversary clothes ⁽³⁾ sewn in different styles according to taste and size while the twelve sisters for final vows were dressed in their well-made Kampala. The Mass started at 10a.m. and ended at 3.30p.m. His Grace, Archbishop Leke Abegunrin who presided over the mass, in his homily rejoiced with the Daughters of the Holy Spirit and encouraged   the twelve sisters for final vows to keep living a holy life. The rite of profession, questioning of the ones to be professed and profession of final vows was done solemnly and beautifully. The professed, led by Eucharistic dancers( ⁴⁾ brought their gifts of bread and wine followed by various life plants, a symbol of fertility. At thanksgiving time, Most Rev. Julius Babatunde Adelakun, the one who encouraged our sisters not to leave Nigeria without leaving something of the Charism of the congregation with Nigerian girls, in great joy, danced to the altar, followed by   the twelve sisters for final vows, our superior General and her council, provincials and sisters from different units of the congregation, hundreds of priests and religious, traditional rulers and so many lay faithful. It is also good to mention here that during the mass, there was a heavy downpour which kept the weather cool for the rest of the day. It was a golden day of thanksgiving, love and celebration.

Fifty years of both Sunny and stormy days has been full of God’s goodness and graces, our  living together has been a source of strength and the Spirit of God is ever present, renewing all creation. Happy anniversary to us all.

References:

(1) Sr Anne Marie Foucher DHS, Superior General

(2)Editorials : Sr. Ayoyinka Bankole Bankole DHS

(3) Clothes specially made for the anniversary celebration

(4) Children/youths who dance in thanksgiving to God at mass especially at offering time