Celebrating Perpetual Profession and Golden Jubilee of SSND presence in Nigeria
Reflection by Sister Monica Benedict
The journey of the SSND presence in Nigeria can be best describe as a journey embarked upon by faith-filled, bold and courageous women who carried the gospel of Christ in an earthen ware and were passionate about witnessing to the gospel of Christ through education. Upon invitation by Bishop Obot, the bishop of Ikot Ekpene at that time, their dream of educating to transform lives was realized when they first arrived the diocese of Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria before this dream spread to five other dioceses in Nigeria.
In gratitude, the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Nigeria on Saturday the 7th of December, celebrated the perpetual profession of vows of Sister Esther Peter Bassey, and 50 years of SSND presence in Nigeria presided by the bishop of Ikot Ekpene, Most Rev. Camillus Raymond Umoh. The theme of the celebration was 'Grateful for God's faithfulness, we honour the past and reignite the fire for the future'
It was a celebration laced with the euphoria of beautiful memories of the early sisters who brought SSND from Baltimore to the catholic diocese of Ikot Ekpene, before the Congregation spread to other parts of the country. We also recalled the significant impact made by the early sisters and the bold step taken by the first African women who joined the congregation. On the occasion of the jubilee, we witnessed the bold step taken by Sister Esther who made her perpetual profession of vows.
During the homily, the Bishop, Most Reverend Camillus Umoh, congratulated the sisters on the occasion of the double joyful celebration and expressed gratitude to the sisters for the immense work and impact they have made in the past fifty years in the diocese where they started and extending to five other dioceses in Nigeria. He thanked the sisters for their passion for training of young women in the spirit of their foundress with preference especially for the poor. The bishop stated that he was privileged to meet the first sisters who arrived the diocese of Ikot Ekpene at that time. Adding that many of the priests were taught by the SSND in the seminary at the time and many were influenced by the life of the sisters. He congratulated Sister Esther for the bold step she has taken in giving herself to the Lord in making her perpetual profession of vows. The bishop encouraged her to pay attention to detailed about her congregation and to love her congregation and not compare it with other congregations. He added that Sister Esther should be given the opportunity and the environment to exercise her gifts and commended her for her boldness to committing herself totally to the Lord. The Bishop reminded us that our vocation is a gift from God and we are only participating in the gift God himself has given us.
The bishop at the end of his homily asked, “After fifty years, what is next?” He prayed that SSND will experience more vocation boom such that many young women will share in the SSND charism, and we will continue to touch many more lives and more people will share in the gospel of Christ which we carry in the earthen vessel which is the foundation of our congregation. He also prayed that the congregation may continue to be a source of joy to the church and be a shining light in the mist of the darkness in our world.
The Provincial leader, Sister Oyin-oza Asishana, in her remark, expressed profound gratitude to all who came to celebrate with us. She gave words of encourage to Sister Esther Bassey, who made her perpetual profession of vows and she took us down memory lane from the time the first SSND arrive the diocese of Ikot Ekpene from Baltimore to the dioceses the sisters are presently working. She prayed for the repose of the soul of Bishop Obot and the sisters who have gone before us.
The second part of the celebration was marked with joyful celebration with our perpetually professed sister, Sister Esther and all the invited guests who came to share in our joy. Presentation of dance were made by pupils of Hillside nursery and primary school and the students of Notre Dame Secondary School, Urua Edet Obo. The jubilee anthem was beautifully sung. This was followed by the cutting of the jubilee cake to the delight of all present. The occasion was indeed a double celebration of God’s faithfulness for the perpetual profession of Sister Esther and fifty years of witnessing to God's love for the SSND in Nigeria and the entire congregation. We congratulate all the bold women who took the first bold step on whose shoulders we stand.