2 September, 2025

Congratulations on a successful 2025 perpetual profession of vows and jubilees celebration.

Loving God, You are the Bread of Life who strengthens us for the journey. Thank you for the gift of our Sisters who made their perpetual vows and our Diamond, Golden and Silver Jubilarians. Their lives of commitment witness to Your presence in our world.

As we reflect on this Sunday’s readings, may we, like Elijah, rise in trust; may we, like Christ, offer ourselves in love; and may we, as SHCJs, continue to help others believe that You live and act in them and in our world. Renew our faith, deepen our love, and keep us faithful to the mission we share.

The air was filled with joy on Saturday, August 9, 2025, as the Society of the Holy Child Jesus celebrated the Perpetual Profession of Sisters Euphemia Igwe and Sharon Iorapuu at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ajegunle. The celebration also honored the Diamond Jubilee of Sr. Teresa Okure, the Golden Jubilees of Sisters Clementina Ashibuogwu and Veronica Openibo, and the Silver Jubilees of Sisters Anne Fianlong and Rita Igwenagum.

A large gathering of SHCJ Sisters, associates, families, friends, priests, religious, and parishioners joined the Eucharistic celebration, presided over by His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of Lagos. Sr. Helen Ebede, African Province Leader, received the vows on behalf of Sr. Pauline Darby, Society Leader.

Adding to the joy was the virtual presence of our Sisters from the American and European Provinces and the Generalate.

The celebration began the evening before with a moving Eve Prayer. Last year’s jubilarians took turns to usher in to the hall those celebrating this year. They shared their experiences reminding all of the values of presence, self-awareness, discipline, and prayer. A symbolic transition ritual, led by the Tertianship director and Coordinators for the temporarily and perpetually professed, ended with a heartfelt intercessory prayer.

Festivities continued later that evening with a lively social night at Holy Child College, Obalende, featuring music and dancing from across Africa. Though the days leading up to this year’s celebration were rainy, God graced the celebration with perfect weather. We heartily congratulate our dear Sisters!