THE UNFOLDING STORY OF THE NIGERIAN VICE-PROVINCE

The “God of surprises” has been and continues to be ever at our door and in our lives. The story of the Nigerian Vice-Province of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit unfolded as a gift from this “God of surprises”.

By the Breath of the Spirit, what had begun as a ten year missionary project for the old Oyo Diocese ended up taking a new turn that could never have been imagined.  At the very moment the Sisters were  preparing to return to England after some 20+ years of collaborating in the development of the Diocese under Bishop Julius Adelakun, the Holy Spirit inspired a challenging call to the Congregation through the Bishop’s plea. To our Superior General at that time, Sr. Anne Marie Couloignier, he said: “ The Nigerian Church needs you. You cannot leave Nigeria without having some Nigerian Daughters of the Holy Spirit to continue your work.” She said: “ But, we are so few.” He responded: “Yes, but that makes everyone very important.”

In response to that call, after much consultation and prayer, and the faith and courage of seven Sisters from the English Province, the Vice Province of Nigeria was inaugurated on 18^th April, 1986 with Sr.Teresa Buckley as its first Vice-Provincial. So, also, was born a bold undertaking which one could only see as the work of God, ISE OLUWA!

Little by little, young Nigerian women seeking Religious Life knocked on our door and were welcomed. The challenge of forming Nigerian Daughters of the Holy Spirit (DHS) began to take shape with the help of Sisters from England, France, and the United States who came to offer their own contribution in building a firm foundation for Religious Life. From the first group of postulants in 1987 to the present, each year has given witness to the Spirit at work in the hearts of young women aspiring to consecrate their lives to God in service to the poor, the sick, the women, the children in keeping with the inspiration of our foundresses. The planting of this Religious Formation Programme has brought forth a harvest in 2014, of 5__ Nigerian Professed Daughters of the Holy Spirit spread out in 12 communities within four Dioceses, namely, Osogbo, Oyo, Abeokuta, and Lagos. A few sisters have been sent on mission  to countries beyond the borders of Nigeria, Cameroun, Burkina Faso, and France. By 2007, the Vice-Province was being handed over to a totally Nigerian leadership team with Sr. Helena Ugorji appointed as the first Nigerian Vice-Provincial.

The opening of new communities in the four dioceses mentioned above, moved the Vice Province forward giving shape to the growth and development of  the DHS Mission to the underprivileged, addressing the needs of the poor, the sick, the children and the women. By 1986, two communities had already been established in Modakeke/Ife and Ilesha. Ilesha housed the Novitiate community and another community tending to the Social Centre. Ipetu-Modu (Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre) and Ipetu-Ijesha (Education) followed in support of the Osogbo Diocese. Oyo Diocese saw the unfolding of Ogbomosho and Ilora attending to Nursery/Primary Education and later Secondary Education. Abeokuta Diocese welcomed a community in Otta for Pastoral outreach and care, catechesis, and Charity Shoppe.

Ilogbo became a space for the DHS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE (a DHS project). Recently a community was opened in Lagos Diocese for a collaborative ministry with the Jesuits in Idimu, St Francis College.

Many of our insertions are among people in the rural, underdeveloped areas. Wherever the Daughters of the Holy Spirit are found, collaboration with the local Church, catechesis, children’s Liturgy, home visitation are an onging outreach and means of touching into the lives of the people.

Besides Ilogbo, DHS projects are under way with a clinic in Iree, Osun State, and in Ilesha at Renee burel Retreat Centre. There is also ongoing development in the production of food products, and school contracts for cardigans and uniforms.

As the Breath of God’s Spirit moved us from the start to venture into the unknown, the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in the Nigerian Vice-Province are available to continue this missionary journey of faith in a loving God who cares for his People and desires that His Love be known by all. This is our heritage. This is our story. This is our song.