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By Vivian Onyebukwa
Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus have been urged to re-awaken the spirit of mission and communion, as they mark the 80th anniversary of their institute.
The event, which was held at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos, was titled, “Celebrating the faithfulness of God: Re-awakening the spirit of mission, communion and participation in the church.”
The superior-general, Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, Rev. Sister Mary Fauster Manafa, acknowledged the faithfulness and steadfastness of the Lord, who, according to her, has always been sustaining and showing love to their members.
Manafa recalled the period of establishment of the institute in 1940 by Archbishop Leo Hale Taylor, saying, since then, God has been using the members as instruments to glorify His name.
She said: “The inspiration to found an institute of educated African sisters who would be a great missionary power was a pure and holy intentio, which has become the objective of our institute as conceived by our foundation on the 18th of January, 1943″.
She stated that it began in 1940 at a famous tea party in Lagos, adding that the sisters already know the humble beginning as that of great endeavour are often simple and humble, which the institute is of no exception. “Our joys today know no bounds as we are grateful to our founder for giving birth to this successful institute.’’
She went further to say that the 18th anniversary celebration had given the institute the opportunity to look back and recollect the years gone, which include the bitter and sweet memories of the institute in the sands of time and to cherish them.
She described the theme of the event as timely saying: “The Lord is speaking to us anew because we live in an era where the message of the gospel urgently needs credible disciples. We are challenged to be creative in our missionary endeavours. Our time calls for creativity.’’
She also urged members to be active in their local parishes and look for opportunity to share their charism, values, talents and skills to various church groups.
The reverene sister equally challenged her fellow members to improve on their capacity to listen, eliminating all forms of ambiguity in morality, and better dedication to duty, so as to uplift the weak and the vulnerable, defend the defendless and make the message of Christ reach remote areas.
She also lauded the courage of the successive administrations, which, according to her, have been faithful and had transmitted such courage to the younger members of the institute.
The chairperson of the planning committee of the event, Rev. Sister Mary Alao, affirmed that the celebration started in 2022 and was aimed at comemorating the uncommon ways in which God of all ages has been good to them as an institute in the church.
In his congratulatory message, Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, commended the institute on the celebration, describing the occasion as joyous. He said that it stirred up sentiments of deep joy and appreciation, while looking to the past with sentiments, the present with faith and the future with hope.
“As the theme of this celebration stipulates, it is a celebration of the faithfulness of God, an opportunity to re-awaken the spirit of mission, communion and participation in the church,” Okogie said.
The archbishop urged the sisters not to be carried away with the euphoria of their achievements, adding that they should view it as an opportunity to re-examine their spirituality and faithfulness. He also advised them to seek new and innovative ways to advance the kingdom of God.
While appreciating God for the existence of the institute and its achievements, Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins, congratulated them in his message. He implored the sisters not to rest on their oars.
“Anniversaries like this should create an opportunity not only for thanksgiving but also for reflection and re-dedication”, Archbishop Martins said.
As part of the activities marking the event, awards were given to Cardinal Okogie and others by the institute for their contributions to the growth and development of the church.
