This milestone came just a year after the Centenary celebration of the Foundation of the Congregation (1924-2024).
The October 4, 2025 Golden Jubilee, which happened in the context of a Eucharistic Celebration, at the Sisters’ Convent at Asikasu, Kwahu Afram Plains North, in the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom, Eastern Region of Ghana, was officiated by the Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate. The Mass was concelebrated by a score of Priests from the Vicariate, including 2 Spiritans; members of the Congregation to which the Founder of MSHR, Bishop Joseph Ignatius Shanahan, CSSp, belonged.
In a homily during the Mass, the Bishop touched on two things, drawn from Luke’s Gospel of the October 7 Feast of the Holy Rosary, which was anticipated: the “Virgin Birth” and Mary’s “Yes” to God. The Virgin Birth, according to the prelate simply means, Mary conceived and gave birth to her Son, Jesus Christ without a human father.
This, he buttressed, is a tenet of Christian teaching of which Christians, but Catholics in particular hold in high esteem. The Holy Spirit was very operative in Jesus’ birth in a very unique way, and the Spirit of God is ever present in family life, and indeed, in the Consecrated Life, he added.
The Chief Shepherd reflected further on Mary’s “Yes” to God, demonstrated at the Annunciation, where she offered her total self to God, without reservation, for God to use her for His purpose.
“The Sisters have come from different nationalities to consecrate themselves into a religious missionary congregation, dedicated to Mary, our mother, and named after her, the Missionary Sisters of our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Their special link to Mary reflects in their name,” he likened.
Touching on the effective presence of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary in Ghana, Bishop Asiedu indicated that they have made a great impact because they constantly draw strength, insight and courage from Jesus and Mary, as they faithfully meditate, reflect and contemplate on the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.
“This is something every Catholic faithful needs to do to follow the will of God,” he stressed.
According to the Local Ordinary, the congregation was particularly attracted to the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom by the essential focus of its 5-year strategic plan then, namely, primary evangelization and growth through pastoral and human development activities.
He reinforced that the commitment of the Sisters to this vision in the Vicariate could be traced in and through: their simplicity of life, commitment and dedication to ministry, sensitivity and empathy for human suffering and the burning desire to work hard in offering a better alternative or improved situation.
“Indeed, the active missionary presence of the Holy Rosary Sisters (as they are popularly called) in Ghana, particularly in the Catholic Vicariate of Donkorkrom, has been marvelous. Wherever they lived and worked, they made significant strides and left indelible marks through their stewardship in many different areas, including, but not limited to health care, education, pastoral training and formation, social communication, Counselling, empowerment of the girl-child, protection of minors and vulnerable adults, helping to establish basic Christian communities, training and formation of Catechists and pastoral workers, care of the earth, our common home, as well as actively and joyfully promoting the music ministry at the Cathedral,” he lauded.
Admitting the turbulent times the Sisters might have experienced in their journey over the past 50 years, which he believed brought them closer to the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary, the Bishop greatly appreciated the lasting impacts they have left on the people through their pastoral activities.
He affirmed the selfless love and dedicated service of all the Holy Rosary Sisters who have worked in Ghana, to the Catholic Church of Ghana, and humanity in general. “They are an inspiration for our people who encounter them daily in all spheres of life in their missionary service,” he praised.
The Chief Shepherd expressed profound gratitude for their love and collaboration in ministry, and their selfless dedication in the Vicariate. He also prayed for more vocations for the Congregation especially from Ghana.
In a welcome address before the start of the Mass, Sr. Nkechi Caroline Oraebosi, Regional Leader of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, Ghana Region, gave a brief History of the Congregation, with special emphasis on Ghana mission.
She expressed the Congregation’s Charism, which is Mission, expressed in the readiness of the Sisters to be sent beyond the borders of their own countries and cultures, to share the Good News with those in any kind of Need, especially the poor, oppressed, exploited and the vulnerable, through the ministries of healing, education, pastoral works and community development.
“Thus, we are always searching for new ways in which to find and nurture the seed that is Christ in every culture rooted in deep faith and trust, full of hope, responding with cheerful courage and reflecting Mary our Model,” she noted.
“Today, we are not just marking the passage of time; we are celebrating a legacy. We are gathered to give thanks to God for fifty years of faith, fifty years of fellowship, fifty years of Gods unwavering grace,” she celebrated.
According to the Regional Leader, the two pioneering MSHR to Ghana were: Srs. Brenda Kelly and M. Coronata Walsh (RIP), who arrived the Sunyani Diocese on May 18, 1975, at the invitation of the then Bishop James Kwadwo Owusu (RIP). In 1994, the Sisters moved to Kuntenase, in the then Kumasi Diocese, and later came under Obuasi Diocese when Kumasi was split.
In response to the invitation of the Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordzi, SVD, then Apostolic Vicar of Donkorkrom Vicariate, the Sisters arrived Donkorkrom on 30th December, 2010, to continue Christ’s mission in the then newly erected Apostolic Vicariate, where they have lived and worked till date.
According to Sr. Oraebosi, twenty-one (21) Holy Rosary Sisters have served in Ghana from 1975 till date.
“Today, we look back with profound gratitude, remembering the vision of our founder, the courage of the pioneers who, half a century ago, planted a small seed of faith in this country. We remember the prayers offered, the sacrifices made, the hands that built, and the hearts that loved. We stand on the shoulders of giants – those who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith, whose dedication laid the foundation upon which we stand today,” she said.
To her, the Golden Jubilee is not an endpoint; but rather a launching path. “It is a Divine invitation to re-commit ourselves to the mission entrusted to us. As we celebrate the past, we also ask for Gods guidance for the future, that He may continue to use us as instruments of His love and mercy for the next fifty years and beyond. We look to the future with hope and renewed commitment,” she maintained.
The leader was grateful to all who had gathered for the celebration, whose “fellowship makes this celebration even more meaningful”.
Present for the celebration were Priests and Religious from the Vicariate, Nana Kena II, Chief of Asikasu, Mr. Awuni Baba, Headmaster of Donkorkrom Agricultural Senior High School, Staff of Holy Rosary Health Centre, Amankwakrom, Staff and learners of Holy Rosary School, Asikasu. Also present were the Holy Rosary Associates and MSHR Aspirants, who had joined the learners of Holy Rosary School to animate at the Mass, together with the Parish Vocation Group, who also served at the Mass.
Other activities featured during the Holy Mass were the Renewal of Vows by the Sisters, the conferring of Papal Blessing to the Sisters on their Anniversary, and the presentation of symbolic gifts from the Bishop to the Sisters. Others included the cutting of the Jubilee cake, planting of Jubilee tree, and fundraising to build a Chapel in the Convent.
By Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo // Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM-AVD)
Source: Newswatchgh.com
