The Nigeria Conference for Women Religious, NCWR recently clocked up 50 years of service. These women of God in Nigeria could not contain their joy as they gathered together in the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, Anambra State, from 20th to 23rd of February 2014 to thank God and to celebrate with the people of God.
The theme was, “NCWR @ 50 – A SHARED JOURNEY OF FAITH.” To grace the occasion, there were not less than 15 bishops and close to 100 priests present to share the joy and identify with the women religious. The Women Religious too numerous to count were also present in their various attire and habits. To mark the celebration, a wax material was specially designed and decorated with all the logos of the female Congregations present in Nigeria making the occasion very colourful.
The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja who was present for the three days celebration and was the Chief Celebrant at the grand finale, reminded women religious that “the values of determination and commitment remain unchangeable”. Speaking as the representative of His Eminence, João Braz de Aviz, the Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Papal Nuncio said “Consecrated Life is a life of service and our consecration a witness to the love of Christ”. He also urged them to choose Holy and intelligent Spiritual Directors.
The Papal Nuncio and all the nine provincial presidents of NCWR released ten pigeons as a sign of mission. The Religious Sisters of Charity communities in Nigeria were all represented with a total number of 18 sisters.