AD GENTES MISSIONARIES
“to the nations”
Ad Gentes Missionary Nuns Temporal Profession of Vows
October 18,2014
A new set of Ad Gentes Missionary Sisters made their first temporal profession of vows on October 18, 2014, increasing the number of the avowed reverend sisters of this Roman Catholic order by four new Nuns.
The novices were presented for profession at the Our Lady Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Zumba – Shiroro in the diocese of Minna, Nigeria by their families after their arduous formation program by the Ad Gentes Missionary Congregation.
The sacred ceremony was officiated by eminent religious leaders including the Catholic Bishop of Minna diocese, Right Reverend Martin Uzoukwu, Father Founder of Ad Gentes Missionary Congregation, Very Reverend Vitalis Anyanike of the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, USA, Mother Superior of the Ad Gentes Missionary Sisters, Reverend Mother Lucia Benedict, Spiritual Directors of Ad Gentes Missionary Sisters Reverend Father Emeka Amanchukwu, Reverend Father Thaddeus Guzuma, who is also the parish priest of Our Lady Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish and Reverend Father Celestine Ejim.
In preparation for this religious milestone, under the sponsorship of the Parish Council, the Catholic Women Organization of Our Lady Queen of the Holy Rosary parish spent the night before preparing a feast of assorted Nigerian cuisines from various cultures and regions of Nigeria.
Given the solemnity of the occasion and the usual rituals of religious profession in the Catholic Church the novices were guided through an elaborate rehearsal of the event the night before the profession. The elaborate rehearsal was necessary as Ad Gentes sisters pride themselves in maintaining tradition in its true sense without a misstep.
On the day of the profession, the church was resplendent with colorful decorations. Bright burning candles, neatly decorated alter and the spruced up environs of the church matched the event that was to unfold. That was capped by the sunday-best kaleidoscope of Nigerian dress styles of the family and congregation assembled to witness an occasion never before held in this particular church.
The ceremony was a joyous spectacle witnessed by an array of congregants from far and wide, including various reverend fathers and sisters as well as friends and families that traveled from several states of Nigeria, and the United State stretched the capacity of the church way beyond its regular mass attendance.
The ritual was very solemn, with special highlight when the new sisters donned their Habits for the first time. They were also presented the constitution of their order, the liturgy of the hour, congregational emblem, rosaries and other items that all symbolize their faith and commitment to their vow.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW SISTERS OF AD GENTES MISSION !
Reverend Mother Lucia Benedict
Reverend Sister Mary Avila Garba, Reverend Sister Margaret Mary Mgbealojue, Reverend Sister Mary Rita Ishom and Reverend Sister Maria Goretti Kunde Samuel,
As is typical in joyful events such as a solemn profession in this part of the world, after the church service, a big celebration commemorated with gifts and salutations to the new reverend sisters, feasting and dancing continued all evening long.
Ad Gentes Missionaries would like to express our sincere Thank you to everyone for their generosity of gifts, food, talents and monetary gifts.