Religious Nuns commonly referred to as ‘Sisters’ in the Catholic Church, continue to play significant roles in the societies ranging from education, health care services, social services, leadership roles and volunteering in the community where they are stationed.
They fall under the group of concentrated life which also include, religious brothers and priests.
This year’s world day of the concentrated life (marked by the symbolism of light) coincided with the feast of presentation of Jesus. While addressing thousands of religious in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis reminded religious men and women to be “bearers of light” to the people they serve.
Rev. Sisters have shined in executing their roles as per the congregations they align with.
While speaking at a local Catholic Television Station, Sr. Nancy Owili of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ) says that the purpose and responsibility of their congregation attaches solely on service to humanity and at the same time giving hope and love.
Sr. Owili emphasizes that they have strived to position their work with this year’s theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”. She says that their focus is on the girls, the needy and the vulnerable who are in greatest need of Hope.
“In a bid to bring hope to the people, we offer educational support to orphans and girls all the way up to higher institutions. We also have centers and homes for street children who we help and reintegrate back to their families after a period of rehabilitation,” Sr. Owili states adding that they also support women on various projects.
Sr. Juliana Mose, the congregation’s regional administrator, notes that they also work with people with disability. She states that they have excelled in restoring hope and reminding people having disabilities their value in the church and the current world.
“As a congregation we have been able to make the deaf and dumb to communicate with the outside world and by this, they are able to realize that disability is not inability.” She continues, “we bring hope to them making them understand that they are not rejected, Christ loves them.”
Congregations across the world have been known for offering services in support to humankind through different capacities. Their main focus being the betterment and restoring sanctity in the societies.
As the world celebrates the religious lives, Catholics are called to pray for vocations and the religious men and women. The church needs to witness an upsurge in youths joining religious lives to help in evangelization and missionary work.
