By Ononye VC/Sister Mary Judith Ezeogu
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Rev Valerian Okeke has consecrated 13 new Reverend Sisters of the congregation of Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM),mother of Christ.
The consecration took place at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate,Nkpor,Anambra State,Nigeria.
In his homily, Archbishop Valerian Okeke told the Sisters that the consecrated life is a divine life and therefore attractive. He said that it is attractive because it is the life that Christ lives to show his good relationship with the father. “It is a divine life full of splendor and divine rays”, he told them. Archbishop Okeke encouraged the Sisters to maintain the beauty and the glory that comes from within when one is consecrated to God by living the three vows they would take.
Mother Maureen Akabogu, the Superior General of the Religious Institute with two other Sisters as witnesses, received the sisters’ three Vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience in the name of the Church.
The Superior General advised the Sisters to put into practice all they have zealously learnt during their formative years because this is where their joy will come from.
The newly Professed Sisters were delighted to give themselves to God for his glory and the service of the Church and humanity.
Sr. Saturine N’dah Sekou, one of the new Sisters who came all the way from Benin Republic could not hold her joy. “This day is so long. I am longing for it to end so that I go back and tell my people that the Lord is so good. They can come back with me”, she said.
