Vincent OBANIYI

 

The postulants of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit (DHS) paid a courtesy visit to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, together with the Dean of Ogbomoso Deanery, Rev. Fr. Samson Ojo, in what many described as an inspiring and spiritually enriching encounter.

 

During the visit, the Bishop shared words of wisdom that deeply touched the hearts of the young women in formation. He reminded them that the foundation of every religious vocation is prayer — for the Church, for the nation, and for the good of all humanity. Above all, he emphasized that the ultimate goal of religious life is personal salvation and union with God.

 “When we truly set our hearts on heaven, everything else falls into place,” the Bishop told the postulants. “Our apostolic works, our service to the poor, and our care for others all flow naturally from that desire to be united with God.”

 

Speaking in an interview, Postulant Duru Vivian from Imo State expressed her gratitude for the experience, describing it as “truly inspiring and enriching.”

“Meeting the Bishop was a great privilege. His words encouraged me deeply and renewed my joy in following Christ. It was truly a fulfilling and unforgettable experience,” she said.

 

Another postulant, Ouédraogo Eudoxie from Burkina Faso, also shared her testimony and vocational journey. She explained that her inspiration to join the Daughters of the Holy Spirit came from their deep devotion to the Holy Spirit.

“The Holy Spirit is the one who guides us in everything we do,” she said. “He connects us to the Father and the Son, and I love the way He works — in silence, in peace, and without noise.”

 

Eudoxie, who is currently in her journey of formation in Nigeria, expressed her joy at being in the country and her appreciation for the opportunity to learn and grow in her vocation.

“When I arrived in Nigeria, I was very happy. I had always admired the culture and wanted to learn English. I thank God for this chance to discover this country and grow in my calling,” she added.

 

Speaking on behalf of the formation team, Sr. Grace Abah, DHS, highlighted the importance of personal holiness and faithful witness in the life of every religious.

“At the DHS Postulate Formation House, we currently have nine young women who have chosen to follow Christ in our Congregation,” she explained. “Our message as religious is not our own — it is the message of Christ. We are called to proclaim Him by our lives, witnessing, and examples.”

 

She encouraged young women aspiring to join religious life to see their vocation as a personal journey of conversion and holiness, from which the mission of evangelization flows.

“Serving God as a religious sister is, first and foremost, a journey of personal transformation,” she said. “There is great joy in serving Christ, especially within the Catholic Church, which gives us the sacred opportunity to live and work for Him.”

 

As the Church celebrates this Year of Hope, Sr. Grace reminded all faithful that Christians are called to be bearers of hope in the world.

 “We are a hopeful people—called to build hope within ourselves and to share it with the world around us,” she concluded.

 

The visit ended with a prayer and a blessing from the Bishop, leaving the postulants renewed in their commitment to follow Christ more faithfully in the footsteps of the Holy Spirit.