On Saturday morning, August 2, 2025, Sr. M. Theresah Anane made her First Religious Vows in our Congregation. The ceremony took place in the Chapel of St. James Seminary and Senior High School in Sunyani, where the Ghanaian Novitiate community most often participates in daily Mass. The Mass was presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Oppong-Febiri, Vicar General of Sunyani Diocese, who also delivered the homily. The vows were accepted on behalf of the Mother General by Sister Amabilis Sikora, General Councilor, who, together with Sister Lucyna Frączek, General Treasurer, had arrived a few days earlier from Rome.
An event such as First Religious Vows is a celebration and joy in Ghana not only for the Congregation or the family, but in some way for the entire local Church. Therefore, in addition to all the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth present in Ghana on that day, many other people shared Sister Theresah’s joy and supported her with their prayers. Among them were priests and deacons surrounding the altar, siblings, family, parishioners of the Sister, and about 80 sisters and brothers in initial formation from various Congregations who, together with Sr. Theresah were also consecrated persons, friends of Sister Theresah, parishioners, and children from Holy Family Parish, with whom Sister led the Children’s Apostolate. The liturgy was celebrated in English, and beautiful songs that set a prayerful mood and expressed deep joy were performed by the Seminary Choir in English, Twi, and even a few verses in Polish.
Referring to the Mass readings chosen by Sister Theresah, the main celebrant offered words of encouragement and exhortation to continually deny oneself, take up the cross, and follow the Lord. He recalled the beauty of the vocation to which Sister Theresah responded, and the main motive for that response – Jesus Christ. He invited her to care for this unique and special bond with her Spouse, especially through fidelity to prayer. Sister Theresah also heard assurances of Jesus’ loving presence, especially in difficult and discouraging moments, and of the support and help of those who surround her today: sisters, friends, parish, and family. After the Eucharist, the joy, thanksgiving, and building of fraternal bonds continued at the novitiate house, where the invited guests went.
The next morning, filled with joy and gratitude, we set off on a three-hour journey to Duadaso II, the parish where Sister Theresah comes from. Probably all the parishioners, including those from the commuter stations, gathered to thank God together for the gift of life and the vocation of their parishioner. The beautiful Eucharistic Liturgy was presided over by Rev. Fr. Philip Tibiri Kyeremeh, Parish Priest of Duadaso II. The prayer was accompanied by joy, gratitude, and emotion.
Dear Sister Theresah,
may each new day be an opportunity for you to live
in closeness to the One who called you,
and through this, for those to whom He sent you.
By Sr. Salomea Skowronek
Flickr album: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCvG8j
