The coronavirus has been slower to take hold in Africa than on other continents according to the numbers released daily by the World Health Organization.  But Nigeria is beginning to emerge as one of several places in Africa where the pandemic is taking its terrible toll.  The Sisters Home Visitors of Mary are trying to cope – continuing their missions of serving, caring, teaching and daycare as best they can.

This post highlights recent activities of Sisters Patience and Monica at the St. Gabriel Chaplaincy located in the Durumi area of Abuja, capital of Nigeria.  Srs Patience and Monica coordinate and teach catechism for children who attend local public and private schools.  Classes are normally held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons but have currently been suspended.

 As many as 130 students attend, divided into classes corresponding to their next upcoming sacrament: prayer class for the youngest children, Baptism class, First Holy Communion class and Confirmation class.   Building a community of faith with lives centered on Christ and His teachings.

The Sisters Home Visitors of Mary  in Nigeria appreciate your thoughts, prayers and support as Covid-19 ravages the world.

First Holy Communion

Sr Patience (left) and Sr. Monica (right)

May 15 – 24 is Laudato Si’ week marking the 5^th anniversary of Holy Father Pope Francis’ encyclical letter “Laudato Si’ – On Care For Our Common Home”.   The opening words form a poetic picture of it’s powerful message on the care of our Home, the Earth:

“… our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. “Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs”. This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her.”

The COVID-19 pandemic heightens our awareness that EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE IS CONNECTED.  Let us together acknowledge and rejoice in that fact.  And let us together – connected – build a better tomorrow on this earth.  All it takes is one good person to restore hope! (Laudato Si’ #71)

You are invited to join with brothers and sisters around the world in the Prayer below at noon on May 24^th.     Who will you invite to share with you?  Learn more about Laudato Si’ week at Catholic Climate Covenant.