From Humble Beginnings to Golden Glory: Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Forge 50-Year Legacy of Faith and Impact
-By Ruben Mario Brodrick
Benin City, Edo State – The St. Paul Catholic Church on Airport Road in Benin City was filled with joy and reverence on June 27, 2025, as the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus marked their Golden Jubilee, celebrating 50 years of unwavering dedication and service.
The solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus provided a poignant backdrop for this significant milestone, which also included the Silver Jubilee of two Sisters and the Final Profession of Vows for three Sisters.
The event, presided over by Archbishop Augustine Akubeze of Benin City, brought together a host of dignitaries, including Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo, Bishop of Bomadi Diocese, and Most Rev. Donatus Ogun, Bishop of Uromi Diocese, alongside numerous priests, religious, government functionaries, family members, and well-wishers.
A Half-Century of Grace and Resilience: “Ut Unum Sint”
In his heartfelt homily, Archbishop Akubeze emphasized the theme “Ut Unum Sint – That They Be One” (John 17:20), a motto deeply intertwined with both the founder, the late Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, and the Congregation itself. The Archbishop’s address served as a powerful reflection on the boundless love and mercy flowing from the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which he noted, “reveals the boundless love and mercy of God.”
He extended a warm welcome and profound gratitude to all present, particularly acknowledging the “fatherly presence” of the bishops, the “fraternal solidarity” of the priests, and the “unwavering support” of the lay faithful.
A special tribute was paid to the Sisters of the Holy Family for their foundational role in the early formation of the Congregation.
The Archbishop reverently recalled the first five Sisters admitted into the novitiate and honored the “remarkable resilience of all the founding members,” who faced significant trials.
He highlighted that “beginnings are often marked by hardship—but despite the many challenges they faced, these pioneering Sisters remained steadfast in their faith and unwavering in their commitment.” He underscored that suffering, rather than being a curse, is often “the pathway to holiness.”
A Mission Continuously Bearing Fruit
The Golden Jubilee, Archbishop Akubeze stated, is not merely a celebration of time but “a celebration of grace — of God’s enduring faithfulness and the Institute’s faithful response to His call.” He lauded the diverse and invaluable services rendered by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to both the Church and society over the past five decades.
Their apostolate spans:
* Education and evangelization
* Hospitals and health outreach
* Care for the elderly and marginalized
* Youth training and empowerment
* Production of altar breads for the Eucharist
* Pastoral and social ministries
* Quiet but powerful witness to the Gospel in daily life
These works, he stressed, “are deeply needed in our time” and manifest the merciful love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, making the Sisters “signs of hope in a world thirsting for compassion, justice, and truth.”
*Honoring a Visionary Founder:* Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu
The Archbishop led a solemn moment of silence in memory of the late Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, who, “under divine inspiration, founded this Congregation on April 6, 1975, in Uromi.” Archbishop Akubeze hailed his decision to found the Institute less than five years into his episcopacy as “a testament to his bold faith and clarity of vision.” He particularly praised Archbishop Ekpu’s humility as a founder, noting that he “did not impose or interfere in the governance of the Congregation, but respected its identity, purpose, and spiritual autonomy.”
Archbishop Ekpu’s vision to establish a Religious Institute of indigenous Nigerian women was both pastoral and prophetic, especially in the aftermath of the Nigerian civil war. By choosing “Ut Unum Sint,” he emphasized that “unity in Christ transcends all ethnic and cultural divisions,” fostering healing and trust by welcoming women from all regions of Nigeria.
*A Call to Continued Unity and Consecration:*
Addressing the Sisters, Archbishop Akubeze encouraged them to continue upholding this unity “in both prayer and action,” allowing it to “guide your decisions, shape your leadership, and influence your relationships.”
He cautioned against “any semblance of partiality or inconsistency” which could undermine their founding purpose, urging them to make decisions with “contemplation before the wounded Sacred Heart of Jesus.”
The homily also drew profound lessons from the Sacred Scriptures, with readings from Ezekiel 34:11–16, Romans 5:5–11, and Luke 15:3–7. The Archbishop highlighted God’s compassionate determination to seek the lost, exemplified by Christ, the Good Shepherd. He reminded the faithful that God’s love poured into their hearts secures their hope and that the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of “joy in reconciliation, joy in mercy, joy in home-coming.”
For the Sisters making their final profession, Archbishop Akubeze offered poignant advice: to look to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as their model, especially in mercy and forgiveness.
He encouraged them to “embrace chastity: the gift of undivided love; live poverty: trusting entirely in Divine Providence; cherish obedience: an act of faith and surrender; be living witnesses: proclaiming the Kingdom through joy and service.” He stressed the indispensable role of prayer, calling it “not an obligation but a communion.”
The celebration concluded with a heartfelt prayer, “Sacred Heart of Jesus, fill us with Your love. Teach us sincere prayer, make us meek and humble like You. Be our refuge, light, hope, and strength. Grant that these words bear fruit in our lives.”
The Golden Jubilee of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus stands as a testament to faith, perseverance, and a vibrant legacy of service that continues to uplift and inspire.
