As it is customary for us throughout the Congregation of the Religious Sisters of Charity to celebrate annually the birthday of our foundress, Mother Mary Aikenhead, on every 19th of January, St Mary’s Community, Ozoro, celebrated her birthday this year in a very special way with people after Mother Mary Aikenhead’s own heart.
As the day drew near, the Community decided to celebrate her birthday with the very poor people living around us. Invitations were sent out by word of mouth to them for them to come to dinner in the convent on January 19th 2014 at 12:30pm prompt. Shortly before the scheduled time, the door-bell began ringing at intervals as our guests started arriving one after the other. About twenty two of the guests responded to the invitation. Sisters Anthonia Eyelade, Pepertua Ihejirika and Sarah Youmene were very obliging in making our visitors welcome in the community parlour. They were greatly surprised at having been invited to dine with the Sisters for the first time. For them, it was a big honour and they felt highly dignified and appreciated. It was really a very beautiful and remarkable day for all of us. Sr Elizabeth Onyekigwe had prepared a sumptuous meal for the occasion beforehand (Jollof rice served with roast chicken and drinks). The celebration began with a novena prayer to Mother Mary Aikenhead. At the end of the prayer, Sr Agatha Lucy Onye, the Local Leader of the community, familiarized our guests with the history of our foundress, Mother Mary Aikenhead and our charism. Mrs Eloho (one of the guests) interpreted the talk in the local language, as most of our guests do not speak English. At the end of the talk, the guests expressed their enthusiasm over the work of the Sisters of Charity in Ozoro community. They prayed earnestly that God might prosper the work of the Sisters in Ozoro community and in the world at large. The climax of the celebration was the meal we shared with them. At a point during the meal the people broke out in chants of choruses as a way of expressing their profound gratitude to God for the favours received. At the end of the meal, a little food package was distributed to each of the guests and they went home feeling highly recognized and respected. It was indeed a memorable day for the Sisters to have experienced in one way, how the huge gap between ‘Lazarus and Dives’ can be closed in a very realistic and transforming way.
The other communities in Nigeria celebrated in a variety of ways:
Bomadi community celebrated among themselves with a lovely evening prayer. They also used the sayings of Mother Mary Aikenhead for their end of year thanksgiving, prayed with them and shared on how the sayings spoke to them personally.
Festac community had thanksgiving during Masses in the three Churches of the Visitation, Annunciation and Nativity, all in Festac town.
Ibadan community had thanksgiving in the Parish Church. Sr Justina addressed the Congregation about the life and work of Mary Aikenhead. She encouraged devotion to her and also enlightened the parishioners about our apostolates. Some candidates were with us for the weekend and participated in the celebration.
Below – celebrating in Ozoro
Below – celebrating in Ibadan
