Celebration and Profession of Vows: SMMC August 2024.

Golden Jubilee Celebration of Profession of Religious Vows of Srs. Eleeza Arcade, Philothea Osibe, Georgina Fuglo (SMMC)
And Perpetual Profession of Vows of Srs. Pauline Afi Nunyanuke TENGUE and Patience AKPALU

On the occasion of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The main celebrant, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi FIANU, the Bishop of Ho Diocese welcomed all to the table of the Lord, where we shall break the Word and break the One Bread and drink from the One Cup (the Eucharist), asking that the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary keep all safe.

In his homily, Most Rev. Fianu touched on the following:

1. We Rejoice with three of the pioneers of the SMMC who celebrate 50 years of consecrated life and two Sisters who take their perpetual profession of vows today.
2. The Virgin Mary was assumed body and soul into Heaven. The celebration of this feast is linked to her holiness. We also must seek and aspire for that holiness. She was preserved free from the original sin right from her conception. Her holiness covers the whole of her life.
3. God in His goodness could not allow such holiness to see corruption.
4. The presence of the ark of the covemant was the symbolic presence of Yahweh among the Israélites. It made them to defeat most of their enemies. Similarly, Marry battled with the forces of evil and sustained her holiness: she crushed the enemy, the devil.
5. Mary continued the path of righteousness and maintained her holiness. She is the chosen one of God and was assisted by the grace of God.
6. Her willingness to be the mother of our Lord, made her to be the Ark of God-the new ark through whom the world will be saved from sin.
7. The Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church endeavour to live a life of holiness.
8. The Bishop called on the Sisters who are celebrating the various vows to take time off their busy schedules to reflect on the rites of the day as they aspire to be holy. Holiness is not an abstract phenomenon of life. Those holy men and women we celebrate were ordinary people who did the ordinary things in extraordinary manners.
9. Be resolved to unite yourselves more closely with God. Consecrated men and women unite themselves closely to God by living out their faith.
10. It is a prophetic call to live solely and only for God to serve humanity more than all other people by living out the Gospel values.
11. Every Religious Institute have their rules. Know and follow what pertains to the SMMC especially in regards to the Evangelical Councils: no imitation of and wrongful application of your vows-your chastity is for the kingdom of God.
12. ” Your Superior may be the most stupid person, but once elected to that status, you obey her. ”
13. We pray that our Sisters live the Vows they profess.
14. May the Lord who has done great things for Mary look kindly on us who celebrate this feast and may He do great things in us all. Amen
    The ceremony was largely attended by Clergy and Religious, Catholic and non-Catholic believers from the Dioceses of Keta-Akatsi, Jasikan, Ho and beyond. May the Blessed Virgin May continue to intercede for us now and always. Amen.