A
CALL TO HOLINESS OF LIFE AS A RELIGIOUS SISTER IN THE CONGREGATION OF DDL, RECOLLECTION
DAY 31ST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY SUNDAY OF THE YEAR B here in ROME 4TH
NOVEMBER 2012 BY REV FR PAUL IKECHUKWU OGUJIOFFOR (OKIGWE DIOCESE).
Estote vos perfecti sicut et Pater vester caelestis
perfectus est – Be you perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect Matt.5: 48, so that Caritas
Christus urgent nos – The love of Christ urges us on.
EXORDIUM:
i)
What does it
mean to be a Religious for you in the Congregation of the Daughters of Divine
Love DDL?
ii)
How do you apply
it with the three evangelical counsels?
iii)
Is it a vow or
promise or an oath or covenant for you
with God among his people especially in your congregation and particularly in
any community you find yourself?
iv)
How does your
name affect or influence your life as a religious so as to be holy?
1)
Being a
religious is a vocation which was granted to you freely (gratia datis) by God and as such not your right rather a privilege,
hence with humility you ought always to be joyful towards attaining heaven for
yourself. Therefore, the word Religious Life in DDL ought to mean these to you:
R
– RELAY solely on God for your protection as a religious through your daily sincere
life and he will bless you, for Blessed
indeed is the man who follow not the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the
path with sinners, nor abides in the company of scorners, but whose delight is
the law of the Lord, who ponders his law day and night. Ps.1:1-2.
Therefore, Do not be afraid. Stand firm
and you will see what Yahweh will do to rescue you today…Yahweh will do the
fighting for you; all you need to do is to keep calm. Exod.14:14.
E
– EMANCIPATE yourself from cliques, parochialism and nepotism as to work well
for the growth of your congregation and your holiness of life.
L
– LEARN to accept corrections and constructive or positive criticisms as to
help you better your spiritual life. This is because the Word of God says: Do not hold back from correcting a youth,
the rod will not kill him or her. With several strokes (I add with sincere word
of advice ), you save him or her from death (I add, scandal to the Congregation
not just to her as a person). Prov.23:13-14.
I
– IMITATE your patron saint in his or his heroic life of faith.
G
– GOOD moral conduct is a pre-requisite for holiness of life. Hence, the Sacred
Scripture said: Do not sadden the Holy
Spirit of God which you were marked with. It will be your distinctive mark on
the day of salvation. Do away with all quarreling, rage, anger, insults and
every kid of malice: be good and understanding, mutually forgiving one another
as God forgave you in Christ. Eph.4: 30-32.
I
– INNOCENCE of intention for entering the religious life is a sure way to
holiness. One easily see those who have no genuine intention entering the
religious life when she goes about lobbing or politicking as to be made a
superior in any given community or even higher levels. If such people succeeds
they always make others their slaves and they rarely grow in holiness, that is
why the Bible says: Love justice who rule
over the world. Think rightly of God, seek him with simplicity of heart, for he
reveals himself to those who do not challenge him and distrust him. Crook
thinking distances you from God, and his Omnipotence, put to the test,
confounds the foolish. Wis.1:1-3.
O
– OBEDIENCE to the congregation’s wish for you without grudges or complaint is
a direct key to holiness of life, for the Psalmist says: Here I come as the scroll says to me. To do your will is my delight, O
God, for your law is within my heart. Ps.40: 8-9.
U
– UNITY amongst you in any posted community is a joyful growth towards
holiness. For the Bible said: How good
and delightful to see kindred (brothers and sisters) living together in unity.
Ps.133:1
S
– SACRIFICING your time, talent and self for the growth of your congregation at
all times, level and everywhere, is a sure sign towards holiness.
L
– LEAVE off all your “so called wonderful
ideas” which the congregation do not deem necessary for them, that you may
not enter into finding a rebel group in the name of forming a new congregation,
this may be termed an act of intransigence from your part, indeed an
obstruction to holiness of life.
I
– INSISTENCE in avoiding sin helps you to grow spiritually. Hence, Do no evil and evil will not take hold of
you. Keep away from wrongdoing and it will leave you alone. Do not sow in the
furrows of injustice for fear of reaping the harvest sevenfold Sirach
7:1-3.
F
– FOLLOW the normal congregation’s regulation piously and do your functions
extraordinarily well, by so doing it merits heaven for you.
E
– ENTER always in prayer with a pure heart’s intention, so that you may
influence others positively by your spiritual life.
I
– IMMORALITY ought to be avoided in all levels and in whatever means, cf.
Rom.1:21-28.
N
– NEVER neglect others’ opinion by thinking that you have it all, nobody is
indispensable and you are not so important that without you the congregation
cannot stand.
D
– DO everything for the good and growth of your congregation, because for some
of us priests and religious if not our dioceses or congregations we may not
have smell Overseas.
D
– DIVINE nature is the goal of the congregation’s wish to all, hence you ought
to be careful and conscious of Pauline admonition on Gal.5:16-27.
L
– LOVE of Christ ought to urge you always in your apostolate.
2)
How do you apply the three evangelical counsels in
your daily life? From the years which you have put in
the religious life as a DDL member how do you see the Vows of OBEDIENCE,
POVERTY and CHASTITY, I wish and pray we briefly contemplate meditatively over
them.
OBEDIENCE: How do you respond and accept your
mission and apostolate in different capacities and areas as wished by your
congregation when communicated to you through the superiors? Do you grumble or
murmur over them first before carrying them out? How joyful are you when doing
them? Are you aware that your humble and sincere love over them are means
towards sanctity of life? Obedience is the first order in heaven a saying goes.
This means that all (superiors and non superiors) are under the rules and
regulation of the Congregation. For us all we should not see any Superior as an
enemy rather as a fellow sister, but for those who are so anxious of being a
superior, tomorrow is your turn after due processes according to the
congregation’s way, but always be aware of what the Bible said: Shepherd the flock which God has entrusted
to you, guarding it not of obligation but willingly for God’s sake; not as one
looking for a reward but with a generous heart; do not lord it over those in
your care, rather be an example to your flock. 1Pet.5: 2-3. When you are in charge do not clamour over obedience
to your fellow sisters as if it is the only vow to be observed, when you have
astutely or blatantly refuse to attend to their basic needs, this is rather
insensitivity or insensibility to other’s plight. Many a time because of this
affirmation, you have to obey that is
what you vowed, very many sisters enter into alliances with many funny
things and debasing indeed so as to meet up with their basic needs in the
community which has been denied them because of egocentricism, nevertheless we
are not congratulating them for being so, if such happens but I know such
things do not take place in this community.
POVERTY: How do you
practice the spirit of detachment towards your religious life? Are you so
attached to your personal comfort and wants instead of your needs, just because
you are not the person providing the money directly, or because you are the
bursar or in charge or more so because the greater percentage of the income
comes from your salary or connections you made? You should know that all these
things come your way because you are a religious. Are you so attached to your
family and relatives that you are already the Breadwinner of the family,
siphoning the congregation for the good of your family, relatives or friends?
This is indeed robbery in holocaust and in the sanctuary. Do you think that
because you are earning salaries or getting gifts from people you must do with
them whatever you wishes that is ok for you? Mind you that for your spiritual
growth as a religious or a priest that there is nothing ontological
intrinsically personal to you once you enter into covenant with God among his
chosen community as you see yourself in any congregation. I came not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me, and
accepted your request in this congregation. Please read Sirach 15:11-20. I wish
to emphasize that this vow of poverty seem to be the pivot of the three
evangelical counsels. Blessed are those
who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven Matt.5:3;
Lk.6:20. If one is in the kingdom of God, obedience and chastity is ensured
already because Blessed are they pure in
heart for they shall see God Matt.5:8. The spirit of poverty is the
out-growth of a whole spirituality, as it is rightly seen in the Pauline
letter: You know well the generosity of
Christ Jesus, our Lord. Although he was rich, he made himself poor to make you
rich through poverty. 2Cor.8: 9.
CHASTITY: How many
times have you allowed yourself to be salve of your flesh or concupiscence, from Latin.
concupiscentia, from concupiscere, inceptive
of concupere to be very desirous of,"
from common intensive prefix, +cupere "to long for, used
in Vulgate to translate Gk. epithymia. The Three-fold nature of man is Spirit, Soul, and Body,
the man consisting of neither separately, but of the whole three together. The
Three-fold Nature of Temptation (1 John 2:16).
- The lust of the flesh.
- The lust of the eyes.
- The pride of life.
Non enim vocavit nos Deus in immundatiam,
sed in sanctificationem. Itaque qui haec spernit non hominem spernit, sed Deum,
qui etiam dedit Spiritum suum sanctum in nobis – God did not
call us to live in immorality, but in holiness (sanctity or chastity). So then,
whoever rejects this teaching is not rejecting a human being, but GOD, who
gives you his Holy Spirit 1Thess.4:7-8. For this reason Christ said: There are eunuchs born so from their
mother’s womb. Some have been made that way by others. But there are those who
have given up the possibility of marriage for the sake of the kingdom of
heaven. Let the one who can accept it, accept it. Matt.19: 12. The problem
here is not us parading ourselves as priests and religious or as celibates, for
what matters here is the Chastity or Purity, GK-katharos or ἁγνεία hagneia
1Tim.4:12; 5:2, Heb-almah (Isa.7:14,) Latin-Sanctimonia-purity, charity, virtue, sanctity, sacredness. for some of us we are
married with priests, sisters, women, men, girls and boys. If you have lost
your almah (‘almah, means the concealed
one or the veiled one, virgin.) try now and
regain it through the Sacrament of Confession and make strong resolution never
to indulge in it again, this needs discipline which you alone can do by the
grace of God. You should always try that nobody sees your dignity as a woman,
so avoid nakedness (. In Gen 3:7, 10, 11, the Hebrew word for
"naked" is ‘erom, which elsewhere in Scripture always appears in a
context of total (and usually shameful)
exposure, describing someone "utterly naked"
or "bare.” (Ezek 16:7, 22, 39; 18:7, 16; 23:29; Deut 28:48). the Hebrew word kethoneth as “to cover, a shirt.”. Eromim means to be naked, without
clothes or arumim meaning the
uncovering of deception) before men (priests inclusive) and women
(fellow sisters or aspirants or novices inclusive). The Holy Spirit through our
docility to the commandments make us Just and Virtuous hence it becomes our
second nature (habit). Through spiritual life which finds its root in morality,
we become Just and Virtuous, therefore, being JUST implies:
J –
JOINING the saints in holiness of life.
U - UNION
with God ought to be imminent in our daily lives.
S –
SACRIFICING your life for the good of others is an act of charity and almsgiving
(from Ancient Greek ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosynē, "alms"), from ἐλεέω (eleëō, "I have mercy"), from ἔλεος (eleos, "mercy, pity").
T –
TRUTHFULNESS and TRUST ought to be associated with us Christians more so as
priests and religious.
By
all these we are properly virtuous, for in
medio virtu stat – Virtue stands in the middle, this demands carefulness in
each moment of our lives, because virtue from its etymology is our second
nature-habitus, mores (Latin).
Therefore, being virtuous implies:
V –
VIEWING objectively everything we do, by this it will help us shape our whole
life- thoughts, words and actions because agere
sequito esse-action follows the being.
I –
INSISTING on things that gives God glory.
R –
READINESS to demonstrate at all times that you are a Christian.
T –
TAKING time to talk about others especially their mistakes, should avoid that
so that you grow spiritually. Do not lie
about your brethren; likewise, do not lie about your friend. Do not allow
yourself any kind of lie for nothing good will come out of it. Do not gossip in
front of the council of the elders. Sirach7:12-14.
U –
UNDER the influence of the Holy Spirit one can only grow in spiritual life.
O –
OBEDIENCE and ORGANIZING yourself well as to grow always in sanctity is a sine
qua non.
U –
USING any post or opportunity given to you well in the Church and the society
for we are called to holiness of life.
S –
SERVING others, for Christ came not be
served but to serve.
Furthermore, God is a giver of all gifts, while human beings are mere
custodians of these gifts. Any being or gift that is worthy of goodness,
excellence, wonderful, kindness, handsome and beautiful, takes it root from God
therefore, we should constantly give thanks and praise to God for the gifts,
more so, this natural gift of being a woman. You ought to know that as religious
women, you are beings that nature used in upgrading the dignity of creation and
the Church. Ipso facto, reflecting on the word, woman, we see these:
W – WOMEN are special and extraordinary gift which God used in
garnishing and showing his goodness in nature and the Church.
O – OUTSTANDING is the presence of all woman religious amidst the
world’s beautifulness in the Church.
M- MATURITY in the world over that lacks recognizance of women, is
debased of incompleteness.
A – ATTRACTION from any woman young and old as well, should help all in
the struggle towards being attracted to the Most High God, so never take
advantage of beauty in destroying the Church. Cf. Ezek.16.
N – NEVER in the history of humanity has there existed any success
without a direct or indirect connection of a woman, either spiritually,
morally, physically, financially or otherwise. The gift of a woman by nature to
the world brings out clearly the hidden ontological character of motherhood of
nature. Therefore, each woman whether religious, consecrated lay, single or
married, with or without any biological child of hers ought to always maintain
this title of good motherhood, for it is evident in the nature of a woman and
word motherhood means:
M – MAINTAIN your integrity as a mother always
O – OFFER everything to God in prayer each day.
T – TEACH always with good example.
H – HOLINESS is very necessary in your life, as much will always be
expected from you.
E – ENDURANCE ought to be in all you do.
R – RESPECT to all, old as well as the young.
H – HOLD firm the good moral teachings of all that come to you.
O – OBSCENITY should be avoided in you as a mother.
O – OBEDIENCE ought to be emulated from you, for Christ said: My food is to do the will of the one who
sent me, and to carry out his work. Jn.4: 34.
D – DO
everything at its proper time.
I
significati da parola DONNA
D – DONO
di Dio con cui, Lui fa la creazione molto interessante.
O –
OFFERTA in cui Dio stabilisce il Suo bellezza e amoresissimo paterna.
N –
NESSUNO che cade dall’ albero, ma della meraviglioso natura e maternità di una donna.
N –
NEANCHE cura che pó dare al mondo se non originalmente con caratteristiche
materna.
A – ALLA
luce dal mondo, vediamo che la donna é in centro, accanto, davanti e dietro.
To apply properly all these in your life as an individual and religious
too, you ought to meditate always on these Gospel passage: You are the salt of the earth…You are light of the world…Your light
must shine in the sight of men, so that seeing your good works, they may give
the praise to your Father in heaven. Matt.5:13-14. The two major words used
are Salt and Light, therefore to be the Salt and Light implies:
S – SANCTITY is for everybody so get yourself involved in it each moment
of your life, for the Scripture says: If
we acknowledge our sins, God will forgive your sins and will cleanse us from
evil. 1Jn.1:9
A – ABANDONMENT to the Will of God in our lives is very essential,
because Christ said: I come not to do my
will but to do the will of Him who sent me, that is doing God’s law.
Phil.2;7; Jn.6:38. Therefore, the will of your congregation over yours, ought
and must be obeyed by you.
L – LOYALTY and LONELINESS in prayer with God as to resist the devil in
temptation, hence, Be calm but vigilant
because your enemy the devil is prowling round like roaring Lion looking for
someone to devour stand up to him strong in faith.1Pet.5: 8-9.
T – TOTAL TRUST in God for He cares for us thus: What is man oh Lord you care for him, mortal man that you keep him in
mind? Yet you have made him little less than a god. Ps.8:4-6; 144: 3-4.
AND
L – LOVE God sincerely in
others for Love is always patient and
kind, never jealous, not boastful or conceited, never rude, not egoistic, never
store grievances, does not rejoice at wrongdoing, is joyful, truthful.
1Cor.13:4-6
I – IMITATE and IDENTIFY
with Christ at all times. Do not lord it
over the group which is on your charge, but be an example for the flock as
Christ. 1Pet.5:3.
G – GIVE to Christ your
worries that He may make you ready to overcome them, for the Scripture said: Unload your burden on to him, since he is
concern about you. 1Pet.5:7.
H
– HOLINESS of life is a must for us. Estote
vos perfectis sicut et Pater vester caelestis perfectus est – Be you perfect as your heavenly
Father is perfect. Matt.5: 48.
T
– TREAT others as you will want yourself to be treated. Tobit 4:15.
3)
Is the
evangelical counsel a vow or promise or an oath or covenant for you with God
among his people especially in your congregation and in any community you find
yourself, as to help you grow in holiness?
A
promise is an assurance one gives that he or she will do, give or refrain from
something to the advantage of another. A promise binds in virtue of commutative
justice if it is contractual in the strictest sense of the term. The deliberate
violation of such a promise is therefore sinful, provided that the matter with
which it is concerned is not too trivial of its nature to be an object of
serious injustice. Cf. MEAGHER, P.K., Promise, Moral obligation of a, in NCE Vol. XI p. 837.
An
oath is appeal to God in witness of the truth of statements or the binding
character of promises. The custom of swearing, or taking oaths, that is, of
putting a curse on oneself if what is asserted is not true or if a promise is
not kept. Because God is called to witness in an oath, the Church, as official representative
of Christ. Cf. HERRON, M-MORRIS, J.V., Oaths-Oaths
(In the Bible), in NCE Vol. X,
pp. 594-595.
A
vow is the practice of making solemn promises to God deliberately and freely to
perform some good work. Ordinarily a vow consisted in a promise to offer a
sacrifice, if God would give some assistance in a difficulty, hence, the Hebrew
word neder means both vow and votive
offering. Cf. MASTERMAN, M. R .E., Vow (In the Bible) in NCE Vol. XIV, p.755. It is good to notice
that, the will is a spiritual faculty whereby man freely selects something good.
This freedom, while basic, is influenced in various degrees by emotions,
physical health, mental states, and environment. Thus the expression will power usually designates a person’s
ability to do two things: (1) to make a choice when this is difficult in view
of divergent circumstances; (2) to effect externally what has been chosen,
although execution may be more difficult than making the choice. Cf. BURROUGHS,
J. A., Will Power in NCE Vol. XIV, p. 917.
Therefore,
it is only when you see Promise, Oath and Vow as a Covenant that you grow
spiritually and in holiness too. That is why your Father Founder chose your
Congregation’s Charism as: A generous loving response to Divine Love Incarnate;
and the compelling motive force of this Order and you as sisters who come to it
must be an ardent response to God’s call to Him and others. (The big question here is, how have you been
responding to God’s call?) In another form the motto is Caritas Christus Urgent Nos-The Love of
Christ urges us on. The practical ways of growing to holiness in your
congregation are underlined in your apostolate in the founder’s vision,
providing services in every walk of life where the manifestation of God’s Love
is needed thus: Catechesis, education, health care, prison and home visitation,
social work, counseling, parish assistance, catering and domestic services,
assistance to people who have varied challenges (mental and physical) and
persons who are elderly too. It is in view of these apostolate that your Congregation
has asked you all to specialize in one thing or another (be it in
communication, education, nursing formation of youths, canon & civil,
psychology, medicine, optometry, catechesis, etc.) for the sanctification of
many. When all these are carried out with sincere love one sees the meaning of
the name of your Father Founder, Godfrey meaning God’s peace.
4)
How does your
name and the number of years you have already put affect or influence your life
as a religious so as to be holy? Let us look at another way one make a spiritual
growth. Spirituality IN, FOR and WITH names has to do with the etymological and
origin of each name basing the relationship to our eternal goal-heaven. This
means that we explore our names and make a comprehensive connection IN, FOR and
WITH our thoughts, words and actions as to find favour in the sight of God
through our human relationship, for holiness is catalytic in name.
1. SR KEYNA ONYEKWEREARIRI DDL [21 YEARS] Superior
2. SR MARY AKOSIM DDL [15 YEARS]
3. SR PASCHAL IJIRI DDL [36 YEARS]
4. SR DOROTHY EZE DDL [26 YEARS]
5. SR ANNETTE NWAIZU DDL [24 YEARS] (niece to late Bishop
A.E Ilonu & Msgr L.O Ilonu)
6. SR AGNES OKOYE DDL [20 YEARS]
7. SR PATRICIA MBAMALU DDL [15 YEARS]
8. SR HELEN OHAEGBULAM DDL [15 YEARS]
9. SR STELLA AGBARAKWE DDL [15 YEARS]
10. SR JIDECHUKWU NWABUEZE DDL [12 YEARS]
11. SR AUGUSTINA
DURU DDL[22 YEARS]
12. SR THERESA ANIAGU DDL [4 YEARS]
a) KEYNA - The name has an African origin which means the abode of gods in the native Kikuyu language. It is referred to as
the cradle of mankind. The word
Kenya is a motherland and hence a feminine aura to it. Hence the name is
conferred upon a female. The word Kenya was actually misspell by the European
settlers who had come to Kenya to bring Christianity and as they were
discovering the country they came across Mt. Kenya but the locals around this
area used to call the mountain Mount Kirinyaga
as in where the first Adam and eve came from (religiously), the European
settlers couldn't pronounce the name kirinyaga
so they said kenia - so the whole
area was called kenia (but Kenia is Hebrew in origin meaning Wise or Intelligent child) by the
British settlers. Much later it was changed to a country - so the name
basically means a holy place. If you are called Kenya, that means your
nature and life as a religious ought to be pure, holy and awesome.
b) MARY – Hebrew MARIA
(the lady God loves ), from Latin origin Mary is star of the sea. Saint Jerome associated the Virgin's name with the Latin phrase stella maris. Other possible meanings in Hebrew are wished-for child;
rebellion; sea of bitterness and the
Biblical meaning of the name Mary is: Wished-for
child; rebellion; bitter. Bitter has
ontologically healing effect because is always truthful by this it causes
rebellion to the devil father of liars, hence if you go by the name Mary
sincerity, honesty and truthfulness ought to be your second nature and
vademecum.
c) PASCHAL - From the late Latin name Paschalis, which means relating to Easter from Latin Pascha - Easter, which was in
turn from Hebrew פֶּסַח (pesach) Passover. Passover is the ancient Hebrew holiday
celebrating the liberation from Egypt. Being
Paschal implies that one ought to liberate himself or herself from slavery of
sin.
d) DOROTHY - is from Greek Δωροθέα (Dōrothéa) meaning God's Gift, from δῶρον (dōron),
gift + θεός (theós),
god. The earliest form of the word δῶρον is the Mycenaean Greek
do-ra, meaning gifts.
Christ is the gift, oblation, victim and sacrifice. From the 2Sam.24:24: I will not
offer to God a sacrifice that caused me
nothing. As Dorothy are you making yourself available as a sacrifice to the
congregation without complain knowing that you are already an offertory or gift
which ought to be immolated by your presence as to be holy and make others holy
too?
e) ANNETTE - is Gracious,
Merciful, from Hebrew and French origin meaning Grace and Favour. As Annette, your vocation is from God and this is as a
result of his grace and favour, how often do you meditate over this grace and
favour given to you by God, know that not because you are so beautiful or more
better than others in your family and more so in the DDL family that He chose
you rather for you work out form salvation and those around you by your holy
life?
f)
AGNES
- is of Greek origin, meaning
pure or holy. Is a Latin form of the Greek name Hagnes, from the feminine form of hagnos. Latinized form of
the Greek name ‘Αγνη (Hagne), derived from Greek ‘αγνος (hagnos) meaning chaste. Saint Agnes was a virgin martyred during the persecutions of the Roman emperor
Diocletian. The name became associated with Latin agnus - lamb, resulting in the saint's frequent depiction
with a lamb by her side. As Agnes, the
evangelical counsel of Chastity ought not to be found wanting in you always.
g) PATRICIA - is of Latin origin, meaning noble. Being Patricia implies that you ought to uphold the noble vocation and
all that goes with it in season and out of season.
h) HELEN – is derived from the Greek Ἑλένη Helenē, meaning torch or corposant
, Wicker, reed,
shoot; torch; basket. As Helen, you
ought to be Light bearers to all that comes your way in this way you grow in
holiness too.
i) STELLA – from Latin meaning Star, let your
love for the congregation always be radiating as to draw many to Christ.
j)
JIDECHUKWU, malu ofuma na mgbe obulu iji
Chukwu, nkea oputara na adim-aso gi ga adi nnukwu na ndu oge obuna.
k) AUGUSTINA – is from Latin meaning venerated. As Augustina, you
ought always to be carrying yourself with dignity and respect as a religious so
that God will be venerated in what you are (religious sister in DDL) and how
you cherish it too will bring consolation to many.
l)
THERESA - is derived from the Greek verb θήρίζεἰν therizein, meaning to harvest, and the Bible said: The harvest is plentiful, but the workers
are few. So ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers to his harvest.
Lk.10: 2. As Theresa, and a worker in
the Lord’s vineyard are you sincerely wholeheartedly working for the harvest of
the Lord. Are you sincerely working for the growth of your congregation or you
are working for your self’s glorification which is a block to spirit growth and
holiness?
From your names and the number of years
you have put in the religious life, GOD is truly the owner and custodian of
whatever you may think you posses in nature. As a person, your intelligence,
degrees, specializations, talents, beauty, etc; how do you go about them these
years? Your names and their meanings revolve around DIVINE, PURITY or CHASTITY,
GIFT or OFFERTORY, GRACIOUSNESS, MERCIFULNESS, NOBILITY, LIGTH, etc, have you
been able to maintain that since these years of your vows, or since your last
recollection? What are the resolutions you made, were you able to fulfill them
knowing that they were covenants with God?
Looking at the biblical significant of the
different number of years you have put in, in the religious life in DDL we
reflect over the spirituality of these numbers and then we apply it to our
individual lives in the Congregation whether we have been alone or always in
our community for our holiness.
Four (4) –
Creative works or creation and world as God made it. As God made you and since
you answered the call in the DDL congregation, have you been able to remain so
through your sincere effort in growing to holiness of life or have you made it
otherwise because you in the world, know that you are in the world and not of
the world?
Twelve (12) –
Governmental perfection, this recalls the theme of our reflection thus: Be you
perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect Matt.5: 48. How sincerely are you making efforts to be holy?
Fifteen
(15) – Specifically refer to acts wrought by the energy of
Divine grace. In this 15 years you have put in, how have you disciplined
yourself, knowing full well that the energy of Divine grace is enough for you
or do you always say once a while doesn’t kill so I ought to feel great as well,
for I am a woman as well?
Twenty
(20) – Double Perfection of Divine Order, if you are
really blessed with these years, it implies that you ought as a necessity to be
prepared to embrace holiness in its totality.
Twenty-One
(21) – Divine Completion as regards spiritual perfection,
with these years you are expected to be a very great fire-brand in
spirituality, have you been known for that or otherwise?
Twenty-Two
(22) – Manifestation of light and Double witness, in these
years how have you been a light to others as to be a witness to Him who called
you to the religious life?
Twenty-Four
(24) – Number associated with heavenly government and
worship. It has been an old axiom that
obedience is the first law in heaven, this is so because everything is in
order, hence liturgy is celebrated as a worship, how have you been regarding
the heavenly liturgy whenever it is celebrated and how many times do you attend
to the Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Confession?
Twenty-Six
(26) - In this number we find the Tetragrammaton YHVH. Shema Isreal- Listen, How have you been
listening to God through these year in the Congregation? How have you been
loving with him with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your
strength, have you been able to engrave it in your heart, how have you
communicated it to those whom you meet in your area of specialization, in your
community, etc? These are sure means towards holiness of life if religiously
followed and carried out. Cf. Deut.6:4-7.
Thirty-Six
(36) - This number depicts God’s Work, Creation and the
Tabernacle. Thus says God, Yahweh, who
created the heavens and stretched them out, who created the earth and all that
comes from it, who gives life and breath to those who walk on it Isa.42:5.
How have you been in cooperating (St. Augustine said: God who created us
without our knowledge, will not save us without our cooperation) with God’s
Work in your services in the congregation? Being a tabernacle implies you carry
Christ all the time, are you able to keep his dwelling place as pure as
possible?
Spiritual echoes from people: From a priest – Keep the vows nobody forced you enter
into religious life and know that you are called to serve. Don’t regret why you
entered the sisterhood. Keep the dignity of your vocation. Respect each other
and don’t say I have done my finals so the elder ones should not be respected
remember that old age is valued in our culture by that you may reach good old
age. Control your sexuality and don’t masturbate or use the wards as sex
partners (lesbianism), for nkita anaghi
ata okpukpu etinyere ya na olu. Don’t allow your family issues to take you
off from your call. Pray hard always very many are spiritually sick and dry. Do
not be afraid of death because of old age. Some are psychologically off balance
so try to make the balance especially those still studying as regards to
examinations.
From a religious sister- I think communities need to
review their lives to suit the realities of today. There has been a very big
gap or digital division among the sisters, might not suit those here but we
should apply charity in our relationship with each other there has been really
wickedness and politics among women religious. We don’t even think about where
we are going after life here, treating each other according to where they come
from like those from (…) she puts her people in the best position we belong to one family in a
congregation, therefore, people should receive equal rights. Question: What about in the areas of the
evangelical counsels too, what have you say on that part? Well, I will say that I take it as people's personal lives but WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IS THE ANSWER. They should
look into the problems of sisters, try to develop programs and projects that
can support the congregation to empower their sisters. People get into some relationships
because of problems, people disobey in some cases because they want to fulfill
some commitments but when sisters are empowered and their needs taken care of,
it will reduce a lot of problems in the convents. Question: Thanks very much, how best then can the
congregation or communities empower their members? I think they can do that
by making sure that their generated resources are shared equally for example, you cannot give a sister
3000 (I feel this is naira) as her
monthly needs and expecting that to take care of her needs, is not possible whereas many are living in affluence rich communities that manage big
projects should support poor communities so that at least sisters can be
feeding very well many convents are
eating very bad food no house
maintenance, no recreational activities nothing
to make the sisters long for their communities. We aware sisters run to their priests friends to eat good, watch TV
programs, get love and money whereas,
they can get this kind of life in their convents no happiness, no love and talents of the sisters are not
appreciated I believe that our
problems are just that many sisters are very poor and they fall into so many
trials as a result of this though there are exceptional cases.
From a religious sister - Fr, I must first of all
congratulate you for such an invitation. My dear brother about the three
evangelical counsels, for me the three are very important and I wish you touch
each and every one of them unless you were restricted by the group to a
particular one. About the vow of chastity which makes us in a special way the
spouses of Christ, freeing us from getting married or have no sexual
relationship with a man, but most at times we thought it ends up there, yes that
is very important and is the center of that vow, but it also includes loving
others selflessly, showing charity to others in and outside our community,
showing concern and affection to our sisters living with us , feel with them
also in moments of difficulties and also in joy. The vow of poverty speaks of
detachment on things, it does not mean wretchedness but holding the little we
have as if it is the end of the whole world. This vow of poverty also includes sharing,
sharing our talents, gifts from God for the good of the community and the
church at large, it also talks of taking good care of community properties,
instead of wasting them. The vow of obedience talks of total dependence on my
superior who represents Christ, for she is a mediation between me and God,
therefore should see him or her as God and not as man and do all for the love
of God. If at the end you were asked to pick only one I feel the vow of poverty
is very important because we religious this days feels that he or she that
acquires more wealth is the greatest, starting from the flashy dressings we put
up especially religious women, for that when one does not dress likewise,
becomes mugu sister and so many other
things I feel you need to talk concerning poverty. If I have access to our computer again today or tomorrow I will add
other things. Once more congratulations and I am proud of you. May call you
on land line this night if I am opportune. Happy feast my dear brother.
From a religious sister - My dear Fr. Paul, Congratulation
for this wonderful opportunity to preach to the religious women. You are not
expected to dwell in any other extra Theme outside what you already knew, and
have been doing all these while. Consider the religious consecration based on
the three Evangelical Vows of consecrated: Obedience, Poverty and Chastity. Each
is enough theme to be handling at any time. Find out the main lessons from each
and center your teaching on how we are expected to embrace and live them from
the Church perspective and your own personal perspective. I am traveling to
Wien now, because of the election we are to conduct tomorrow. Biblical guide: Jer.1:15 Obedience (Ps.
40:8; Jn. 4:34); Poverty (2Cor. 8:9); Chastity (Mt. 19: 11-12) I wish you the best in the recollection activities.
From a married woman – Fr, tell them that we are always proud of them, but
they should avoid jealousy among themselves. They need to be patient and strong
in endurance. The elder ones should take good care of the younger ones who work
but receive no appreciation. They should be prayerful and not to look on
worldly things, not to be carrying their family problems, let them practice the
poverty.
From a girl - Ok father,1.I will suggest
Salvation of soul(God is a jealous God they should not be compromising in
serving Him. 2.Reward in the service of God. 3.The seven fold spirit in the
book of Revelation written according to John, choose any Father .Thank you and
God will increase you in wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
From a girl - Praise to be Jesus, now
and forever. Topic: being faithful to their religious vows and to love God
above all things .this is a very important issue, being faithful to your
religious vows. CHASTITY:Is a state of being chaste. you should free sexual
impurity, pure in thought, pure in their life style, free from literary and
artistic extravagances. You should be discipline by punishment or affliction.
You should be moderate. some of us forget our vows and do otherwise which is
not good in the sight of God and man. Bear in mind you have chosen the best
life and to make the best out of it. I know it will not be easy but with God
who strengthens us, we can do all things. We should imitate our Blessed Mother
Mary and make her our role model. OBEDIENCE: Imitating Christ humility. Philippians
2. In the name of the encouragement you own me in Christ, in the name of solace
that love can give, of fellowship in spirit, compassion and pity, I beg you:
make my joy complete, by your unanimity, possessing the one love, united in
spirit and ideals. Never be in the party of those who think so low of others or
as superior to themselves, each one should look to others’ interest rather than
her own. Your attitude must be that of Christ. Honesty: is the character of
being honest; uprightness of conduct in general. You should be fair and candid
in dealing with others. Poverty: we must deprive ourselves earthly things for
the sake of God. Matthew 5. Happy are the poor in spirit for the reign of God
is theirs. Finally this month is a sober reflection as it remind us that our
sinful flesh, no matter how beautiful it is must grow weeds and turn to manure
someday. Connecting everything with Mary, we must accommodate all pain and
agony in our heart. As Christians who aspire to make heaven and remember in a
saintly manner must use the beatitudes as both their pedal and their pillow.
This is much I can say. Thank you.
APPRECIATIONS OF THE RECOLLECTION:
Dear Fr Paul,
You have fed us today with the food of God's word. We are privileged to
have you with us today. Coincidentally, your reflection touched some of the
things our Father Founder said in the Founder's Talk. It is not accident. It is
all God's doing. Thanks so much for sacrificing your time to be with us and for making the
reflection available to us. Remain blessed and happy in the Lord!
Sr Agnes (04/11/2012)
Dear Fr. Paul,
Thank you, first of all for accepting our invitation for our day of prayer,
thank you for sending those nice research of yours for our spiritual
up-bringing, moreover thanks a lot for your generous idea of sending also a
"a little life profile" of our Late beloved Bishop, our Son, our
Brother our In-law and Uncle to us "I" in particular. In fact my
brother, you could not imagine what you have done or doing about (Speaking the
TRUTH you know, about his life). You have cleared the shame, the pains, the
sorrows and the loss of our dear One through this act. Indeed his death is not
the first or only death of the family but what is heart-breaking is the second
horrible accusation which brought a dent in the name of a big, good and noble
family of my mother which my Grand-dad has cultivated from his youthful time.
My Grandfather, being a generous compassionate man, was a then Catechist whom
had sheltered the white missionary priests in his roof, there were no story of
one who came to Mr. Mathias for help without receiving it in abundance.
Although not very rich a man but his wife Mrs. Helena who was from Anambra
State by birth, my Ground-Mum has turned his husband's household into a
Charitable Home - always cooking and giving to people especially the strangers
and "nobodies" of then days. Papa Mathias, as I knew from the
childhood was a councilor among his co-leagues and some elders of his time
which made him known as "wise man". He settled many quarrels and
unite most of the families which sometime put him into trouble but he was a man
of great Faith, hope and perseverance. This kind heartedness has passed on to
most of their children including the Bishop himself. Going back on the two
shocking and painful allegations, the first which we are all known as building
some "Towers of Babel" in his father's compound is very funny and
shocking to us the family members, and God has saved us from that shame from
letting the TRUTH out of bag as quick as possible to clear the shame and pain
from the family. The most funny and painful thing to us the family members was
that His lordship had not even think of helping his family in a big way some of
his colleagues do, in fact his family embraced poverty since after his
Episcopal Ordination till today, unlike before. On the second accusation which
we all have known through the net. The exaggeration was too much that I thought
to myself "this must be conspiracy-against him but who are those behind
the curtain?" "Whom, or who are those that he wronged so badly that
revenged him in this form"? Honestly I know deep within me that this
particular accusation will surely bring him to an end but after then I had
discussed with him about these issues and what we discoursed has ever remained
in my heart as a deep mark of Truth which will never be razed from my heart! On
the side of the conspirators, I am asking if none of them has not wronged
anyone at all, if they has not sinned in any way since their life that they
should stain their hands with unseen blood of God's anointed-as themselves?. I
have heard some truth about his calumny and had heard that more TRUTH shall be
out at GOD'S given time. Alas to those criminals! because their judgment day
shall over take them as thieves-in their fathers vine yard!. Unless they have
their time to repent and confess on earth what they have done in secret in
their life time. As for the family, even though it is painful, we still give
God thanks for the gift of this Bishop, Son, Brother, In-law and Uncle to the
entire families of ILONU and other Families of In-laws, Friends and Well
wishers. He died on the eve of the FEAST OF SACRED HEART OF JESUS! A very
remarkable feast in the Church! And God knows why "He has run his race and
fight his fight"-according to Saint Paul now he has gone to answer Our
LORD. Who among us will not wish to dye-falling on that heart flowing with the
immeasurable mercy of the LORD? In the Lord's vine yard, we are many Priests,
Religious, Monsignors, Mother Generals, Councils, Cardinals, Pope etc who are
called by the Lord but then who are those few that will be chosen? "This
is a big question to me and all of us". As for you my brother Paul, you
are already on the right track-keep on evangelizing on the TRUTH of your time
till the end. You may suffer because Truth is Bitter, but the LORD is by your
side and shall vindicate you and those of you who love the TRUTH and follow HER
way fearlessly shall find HER. My brother may God be with you as you proclaim
his Truth as Prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel and others who love God and God loves.
Thank you and may God abide with you through your earthly journey- Amen. Sr
Annette Nwizu DDL (niece to late Bishop Ilonu) Monday 06/11/2012.
Hello
Fr, Guess you are doing okay. In fact the Sisters liked and enjoyed your
reflection. Thanks for the wonderful Eucharistic celebration Remain Blessed. Sr
Keyna 08/11/2012
In the mail I sent you suggesting topics for
discussion, I was of the opinion that you discuss the evangelical counsels in
relation to the modern world as opposed to the most popular theme:
"Holiness of Life". I thought that topic has been exhausted and every
reflection on that will sound as a repetition but you have proved me wrong by
showing that "Holiness of life" is the foundation and essence of the
evangelical council. Obedience enables us see the will of God in all
regulations so that by the perfect observance of God's will, we may grow in
holiness of life. Poverty enables us to
be more attached to Christ and to His Church so that we might grow in holiness
without distraction and chastity makes us channel our sexual energy to the work
of God so that by our selflessness and continence, we may sanctify our work,
grow in holiness and come to a better knowledge of Christ. This you have
utterly explained in your reflection with the DDL Sisters in Rome.
Congratulations. You brought a new dimension to the theme. You made it unique
in your own unique way of doing things and you made it relevant to the
existential conditions of the Sisters. I imagine their amazement after the
reflection with them. It was sincere, all inspiring, challenging, human and
devotional. One thing I so much value about your reflections and talks is the
human weakness you consider among the people of God. It portrays the mercy of
God and the proximity of grace. Most preachers when talking about sin prefer to
talk to saints or condemn sinners. Only a few identify with sinners, see their
struggles to overcome sin, understand their weaknesses and offer them hope with
humility, gentility and a Christ-like disposition to sin. Pastoral experiences
have taught me that a "saint" cannot "attract" sinners (it
could be misunderstood anyway). The point is that sinners fear preachers those
who claim to be righteous and live above human limitations. They are always
free and open to preachers who though may not be sinners like them but
understand and feel for and with them. Thus Christ-like compassion is essential
in conversion. This I have seen in you. Keep it up.
Another interesting aspect is the relevance you give
to simple words. You bring out the meaning of words as if you coined them and
make them relevant to people's concrete situation. This is just as you make
people more conscious of the implications of their names. If most priests
preach like you, then evangelism will be easier among saints and sinners. As a
priest in the making, if God's grace confirms my weakness and make me worthy of
the priesthood, I promise to follow your footsteps. At the moment, in my own
little capacity, I am sure I am not doing badly in imitating you just as you
imitate Christ.
Once more, congratulations for bringing more souls to
Christ through you work, especially the souls of those who have been specially
dedicated to Christ. May the joy that abounds in heaven over the repentance of
a sinner glorify God in you and may the grace of ordination ever be renewed in
you while the power of the Holy Spirit sanctify all you do as I implore the
intercession of St. Josephat (Bishop and martyr) whose memorial we celebrate
today for the grace to remain an elder (episcopai)
and a martyr. - Uwakwe Chibuike 12/11/2012
My e mail is disturbing so am replying on facebook.
There are so many other propelling forces, such as materialism, leading us into
religious life. In what ways can disengage or emancipate ourselves from them?
Holiness of life requires life of no attachment, no personal interest. It
should be devoid of cliques and backbiting. Sacrifice presupposes giving out
our comfort through mortification to benefit our fellow man. We must not be
like the monks in the monastery before we can be holy. Also make provision for
prayer life. However, the content of the spiritual discourse is good and soul
enriching. Tell or add also scandalous lives lead by religious men and women,
the implication is disastrous. Am not a theologian – Chibuzo Igbo. 14/11/2012
