The 60th year anniversary celebration of the establishment of 'Our Lady of Lourdes' Catholic hospital in Ipetumodu, Ife North Local Government area of Osun State, Nigeria comes up on the 13th of March, 2025.

Rev. Sr. Theresa Anthony (DHS), the Matron of the Health care service center recently made it known to an Ilesa based Nigeria Catholic Weekly Independent publication parish news reporter that series of events, top amongst which will be a concelebrated Mass, the Consecration and the Official Commissioning of the newly constructed 'Our lady of Lourdes Marian Grotto' by Most Rev.(Dr.) John. A. Oyejola, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo in Nigeria will be organized to mark the historic Diamond anniversary celebration of the hospital.

The 'Marian grotto' is a place of prayer, trust,  peace, respect, unity and silence of which staff, patients and visitors to the hospital can take advantage of in different ways to beseech the blessed Mother (Mary) to intercede to God in prayer for solution to whatever health problems that  brought them to the hospital for medical care.

The feast of Our Lady of Lourdes falls on the 11th of February each year, the history and significance of Our Lady of Lourdes in the Catholic Church dates back to 1858 in the town of Lourdes in France, when a 14 year old girl, St. Bernadette Soubirous in an apparition or vision while in the cave of Massabielle saw the 'Blessed Virgin Mary' who gave her instruction that necessitated the authority of the Catholic Church in France at the time to establish a shrine in the cave with the statue of Mary holding the Rosary and the underground spring water found in it was found to have healing properties and power that today attracts millions of pilgrims and worshipers each year.

The invaluable contribution and support of British, French, Irish and German white Catholic Church Missionaries to the growth and development of the Catholic Church in Nigeria is well documented in the history of the Church in Nigeria.

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Hospital, Ipetumodu was established on the 13th of March, 1965 by the then Catholic Diocese of Oyo when, Most Rev. (Dr.) Julius Babatunde Adelakun was Bishop, before the creation of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo in 1995 and Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Adeleke Abegunrin became the first Bishop.

The thirty (30) bed hospital and maternity center since establishment has enjoyed different parental and government developmental support that improved healthcare facilities and upgraded the hospital standard to meet the needs of the people at the grassroots.

The weekly services provided by the hospital with the support and care of  their well trained professional Doctors, Nurses, Technologists and non-medical staff include: Antenatal Care and Delivery, Immunization Vaccination, Out-patient Clinic, Surgical Care, Eye Clinic (Optical services), Laboratory services, Abdominal pelvic Scanning, X-Ray services, Dental Clinic, Morgue and Ambulance Services.

The hospital outreach clinic services include the following out stations:

1.    SS Peter and Paul Lagere in the ancient city of Ife.

2.    St. Peter Catholic Clinic, Olode.

3.    St. Joseph Clinic, Inisha

4.    Holy Spirit Clinic health Center, Ipetu-Ijesa all in Osun state, Nigeria.

Foundation and past senior members of staff of the hospital include:

1.    Rev. Sr. Theresa Bolley

2.    Rev. Sr. Ann. Tighe  

3.    Rev. Sr. Margret Abbort

4.    Rev. Sr. Anthonia Ayeni

5.    Rev. Sr. Abiola Adigboluja.

Rev. Sr. Theresa Anthony (DHS) assumed office as Matron of the hospital in 2021. She was born in Kaduna in 1991, had her primary and secondary school education in Kaduna, Kaduna state, Nigeria.

Rev. Sr. Theresa Anthony is a Nigerian Registered Nurse (RN) with a Professional Nursing Certificate and a Bachelor of Science (BN) Degree in Nursing.  She attended the School of Nursing, Sacred Heart Catholic Hospital, Abeokuta, Ogun state Nigeria and Ladoke Akintola University of Science and Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Nigeria from 2016 to 2019 and from 2020 to 2024 respectively.

Rev. Sr. Theresa Anthony took the Holy Vow as a member of the Catholic Church 'Daughter of the Holy Spirit (DHS)' Religious Congregation in 2014.

Prior to her present position as Matron, she worked and served the hospital in different capacities as a Cashier, Supervisor, Ward’s Attendant and in the Pharmacy Unit of the hospital.

Rev. Sr. Theresa Anthony with the motive of the words, 'We Care but God Heals,' (the philosophy of Florence Nightingale, the British founder and mother of the Nursing profession) with her zeal, enthusiasm and compassion helped many patients fulfilling her professional vision for humanity. Her hard work, diligence, dedication and good leadership skills greatly in no small measure enhanced the good management, growth and development of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and has earned her the success story in her chosen career as a Nurse and a Missionary in the work of God.

We wish the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, Most Rev. Dr. John A. Oyejola, the entire management staff and collaborators of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Hospital, Ipetumodu, a happy 60th anniversary celebration.