There was great joy, happiness and celebration among the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, EHJ, Monday August 15, 2022 when five members of the congregation celebrated their final profession of vows with pomp. The event which coincided with the Feast of Assumption of the blessed Mother Mary was attended by friends and families of the celebrants, as well as priests and religious who came from far and near to be part of the ceremonies that took place at St. Leo Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos. Delivering his homily at the Mass, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins tasked Catholics, especially the sisters who made their profession of perpetual vows, as well as all other persons consecrated in religious life to embrace the life of fidelity to the evangelical councils for the rest of their lives. He said: “Whether as religious, as clergy or as lay faithful, we are called in our different states of life to fidelity to the evangelical councils.”
Speaking further on fidelity, Archbishop Martins said, “The religious in embracing the evangelical councils of chastity, obedience and poverty bring to light their willingness without any form of coercion or forceful manipulation to dedicate their lives in perpetuity with an undivided heart to perfect countenance to be observed in celibacy and total imitation of Jesus’ poverty in reality and in spirit and in soberness and in industry becoming a stranger to earthly riches, submitting your will to your lawful superior, to fraternity, to unity and fulfillment of Christ in your community and the institute as a whole.” The Archbishop stated that the assumption of the virgin Mary gives the people reassurance that she is with them in the battles of their lives, adding that whatever battles they have to bear to fight, she is with them and will never abandon nor leave them trendless or fallen. He urged the sisters that like Mother Mary escaped the dragon, they must continue to fight the challenges, weaknesses and shortcomings in their lives in order to be triumphant and remain faithful to Christ their spouse until the end. Speaking on the life of Blessed Virgin Mary, Archbishop Martins said the end of her earthly life was actually the beginning of the performance of the most powerful role of intercession that she plays in the life of her children. “From her seat as the Queen of Heaven, she plays the role of a powerful intercessor. The assumption of our Mother Mary was the inauguration of the era where all generations will call her blessed. As Mary was crowned the Queen of Heaven and Earth, she took on her role as the powerful intercessor that she is for the human race.
The mystery of the assumption is a rare privilege given to our blessed Mother by God after her many sorrows. That privilege was a way by which God acknowledged and rewarded her for her uncommon life of virtue and holiness. Rev. Sr. Mary Fausta Manafa, Superior General, Congregation of Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, enjoined the newly finally professed sisters to live up to their commitment in order to remain faithful to their spouse, Jesus Christ. Sr. Manafa urged them to also collaborate with the graces God has endowed them with to always keep saying yes to God in fair and stormy weather, as she advised that they hold on to Mother Mary especially, and the saints of God to lead and to help them in keeping faithful to their religious commitment. She thanked the parents, family members and well-wishers who have been supporting the sisters throughout their journey of religious life. The five sisters who celebrated their final profession of vows include Srs. Evelyn Marie Yakubu, Mary Dorcas Omamogho, Emanuella Mary Anuebu, Mary Faith Okhueleigbe and Mary Faustina Angough.
