A decade ago, the United Nations declared October 11^th the International Day of the Girl Child, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the challenges girls face, to promote their empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. It is an important part of our mission to provide supports to work towards these goals. Our Sisters in Nigeria, Zambia and Malawi are involved in education, anti-trafficking, and child advocacy campaigns, all aligned with the goals of International Day of the Girl Child.

The theme selected for Creation time 2021 is A Home for all, renewing the Oikos of God. We celebrate the season mindful that our world continues to deal with the Covid crisis as well as climate and biodiversity crisis. We encourage you to sign the HEALTHY PLANET HEALTHY PEOPLE petition endorsed by the Holy See as a key action for this season of creation. (Google the above and the petition appears!).  READ MORE..

As we prepare to celebrate one of the most important dates for the Congregation each year, 15^th August, we are reminded that Mary Aikenhead had a great devotion to Our Lady and for this reason she chose the feast of the Assumption to be the Patronal feast of the Congregation.

Nigeria became one of the countries affected globally by the COVID-19 following the confirmation of the index case in Lagos State on 27th February 2020. Since then, the services of the health sector have been partially disrupted and health facilities like St. Joseph’s Mission Clinic managed by the Religious Sisters of Charity.

Nigeria like many countries of the world faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. One of such challenges is the issue of rape and domestic violence which became very alarming after hunger. Rape became more rampant and, in some cases resulted in the death of the victims. Most of the victims were minors and babies. 

On 25th August 2020, Nigerians woke up with the congratulatory press release from WHO and UNICEF to Nigeria on being declared free of the wild poliovirus. This was indeed a tremendous milestone against polio; a long-fought battle which has claimed many lives of children under 5 years old.

In 2013 when I visited the sisters here the road was in a sorry state. The car slipped and slid on the mud. Now a main road passes right by the Parish compound which made our arrival on 27th May much easier. The area is full of steep hills and deep valleys and moving from place to place is a challenge on the dirt roads. In June we distributed 4 Bicycle ambulances to 3 of the local villages and to Konzalendo itself.

Thursday 22^nd July marked the 163^rd anniversary of Venerable Mary Aikenhead being born into Eternal Life. Mary Aikenhead who founded the Religious Sisters of Charity and the Sisters of Charity of Australia was remembered in thanksgiving by both Congregations in a moving Zoom ceremony. The ceremony was the end of a nine-day journey that started in both Congregations with a novena to Mary Aikenhead.

You are invited to join us in nine days of prayer through the intercession of Venerable Mary Aikenhead leading up to the celebration of the anniversary of her death at Harolds Cross on July 22nd 1858.  Click HERE for more information.

Thursday, 3^rd June 2021: There is much public discussion in relation to the Religious Sisters of Charity and whether we are still, or will be involved in the management of St Vincent’s Hospital, the new maternity hospital or the new independent charity set up to take over the ownership of St Vincent’s Healthcare Group from the Religious Sisters of Charity. The answer is no. The Religious Sisters of Charity have no involvement now and will not have any future role in the management of St Vincent’s Hospital.  We will have no role, whatsoever, in St Vincent’s Healthcare Group, the new independent charity or the new maternity hospital.