…“But it’s not an end to temptations or difficulties” – Archbishop Audu.
by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Catholic Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Ishaya Audu, has reminded Rev. Sisters, especially Sr. Patience Biwuli Lamuni of Our Lady of Fatima (OLF), who took her Perpetual Profession of Vows, as a Rev. Sister, to know that the final profession does not mean the end of the struggle to holiness or the end to temptations or difficulties and problems.
According to him, “It is rather the beginning of the real journey. You are now on the speed-gear. The period of dilly-dallying is over; you are now ranked as a full member of the congregation.
“Therefore, the Church and your congregation demand a higher level of maturity from you. Before your Final Profession, it would be easy to excuse you, but now that you are accepting to make your Final Profession of Vows, we do not expect any more excuses from you,” he urged.
He explained that, “Before now, all the finally-professed Sisters were called “Mothers” – those who have taken their perpetual vows. So, to you, Sr. Patience, you must exemplify the ideals of motherhood. As for me, one word that epitomizes ‘motherhood’ is sacrifice.
While quoting Bishop Fulton Sheen (of blessed memory), that, “Sacrifice is ‘suffering with love,’” Archbishop Aludu then charged Sr. Patience Lamuni to see that in her various areas of apostolate, and she is to sacrifice for God and his people and to lay down her life as a religious is to entrust to God her heart, her destiny, her future and her eternal worth to Christ.
“Since this is primarily God’s work and you are only a mere instrument of God, to carry this difficult but noble course effectively and successfully, you must remain close to God in prayers,” he charged.
He reminded her to remember that she is called to witness to Christ and not social workers, and she must be holy because the God that called and chose her is holy, adding, “And you should always work as a team with other sisters; this is where your vow of obedience will be put to rest.”
Archbishop Audu explained that, “From the very beginning of the Church itself, many Christian young men and women voluntarily renounced the prospects of marriage and property – all for the love of Christ.
“As she has taken her Perpetual Vows today, by her consecration she has sacrificed to God. It is a total commitment to God and his Church and, from now on, in a special way she stands for something,” he noted.
The Archbishop stressed that, “In our world, today – which is crazy for material things and flamboyant living – we need people like you whose lifestyle models simplicity and moderation as a witness.
“The world of today, where respect for authority, order and discipline seem to be dwindling and personal ego or pride are celebrated as the ‘will of God,’ we need your life witness.
“We are in the world where everyone wants things his or her own way; we need the witness of people like you, who are prepared to accept direction and guidance in obedience, not because they are always right but because they are good of the community and service of the people of God,” he noted.
According to him, “The life of Sisterhood is not for woman; this is because we believe that it is God that calls. It is certainly mysterious to see young and beautiful ladies, who have many opportunities elsewhere like other women, renouncing all things and come forward to give their life in service to God and to their fellow human beings.”
He charged members of the church to also pray for them because they need prayers to enable them carry the work of God and humanity.
“Our Lady of Fatima Sisters (OLFs) Nigeria is an active Apostolic Religious Institute of Apostolic life. It was founded by Bishop John Reddington, SMA (of blessed memory), first of Jos, on the 13th January, 1965, for a mission of evangelization.
“The OLF Sisters make it their aim to evangelize people in ways that are deeply rooted in the gospel values and our African culture, according to the signs and needs of the times, bringing Christ to the world and the world to Christ, nurturing the seed of God already present in every culture.
“It started in Shendam, in 1965, with Shendam as their Mother House, and the pioneer members moved up to Jos on the 15th of January, 1968, to open the first Professed Sisters’ Convent, in Danja Street Jos, from 1968 to 2019.
“The Fatima Sisters established Communities and Institutions of their own and those of the Dioceses to which were invited, and has given birth to 20 communities cutting across eight states in Nigeria and a Region in Ghana, Plateau State, Jos, Pankshin, Shendam, while Kaduna State, Zaria, Kano, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nasarawa State, Akwanga, New Kari, Adamawa, Jimeta, Taraba State, Yakoko, Niger State, Gwada and in Ghana, Sang, in Northern Region of Ghana.”
Sr. Patience Biwuli Lamuni was born in the family of Mr and Mrs Gabriel Nman Lamuni, from Dawaki in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State.