Immaculate Sisters’ Diamond Jubilee climaxes in Sept

A press statement issued by the spokesperson of the Catholic group, Rev Sr Mary Lucella Ukaegbu showed that the jubilee year was inaugurated on the 22nd of October 2011 and a lot of activities slated to mark the year. The statement explained, “A number of events have been scheduled to mark the climax of the […]

A press statement issued by the spokesperson of the Catholic group, Rev Sr Mary Lucella Ukaegbu showed that the jubilee year was inaugurated on the 22nd of October 2011 and a lot of activities slated to mark the year.

The statement explained, “A number of events have been scheduled to mark the climax of the celebration in the last week of September.

“These events include the Diamond Jubilee Mission Exhibition opening, Diamond Youth Day – Opera/Music Festival, Madonna Renewal Centre, Nkpor, Diamond Symposium for IHM Sisters, Day with our Mothers & Fathers, Holy Rosary Sisters and Holy Ghost Fathers, Children’s Day, all scheduled to take place in September.

“The grand finale will take place on 30th September along with…[marking] of Silver Jubilee of some of our Sisters at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity.

“There will be launch of the Film on the life and Mission of Archbishop Charles Heerey, and documentary on the history of the congregation, among other things.”

The congregation was founded by the late Archbishop Charles Heerey, CSSp (1890–1967) when he was the Vicar Apostolic of Southern Nigeria.

He was moved by the plight of the less privileged in his Vicariate as well as deep concern for the uplift of women and children.

He then founded the congregation of women who would take up his concerns in humility and compassion.

So far, the congregation has taken care of women, children, and the less privileged, working in schools, universities, hospitals, maternity homes and leprosaria.

The sisters have also taken care of widows, not only in Nigeria but also in countries across Africa, America and Europe.

Sr Ukaegbu expressed, “This year, the congregation celebrates the mustard seed planted by Archbishop Charles Heerey with just two foundation members, which by the grace of God, has grown into a big tree.”