The Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ), Ghana Province, have commenced their annual retreat at Our Lady of the Annunciation Novitiate, Nsoatre-Sunyani.
The retreat is under the theme: “Transformed Through Consecration, Empowered for Mission as Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus: Created, Chosen and Consecrated by Love.”
The week-long spiritual exercise, which runs from August 23 to 29, 2026, is being directed by Rev. Fr. Edmund Agorhum, SJ, who is accompanying the sisters through a journey of prayer, reflection, renewal and deeper commitment to their consecrated vocation.
During the first day of the retreat, Fr. Agorhum reflected on the theme, reminding the sisters that they have been created, chosen and consecrated by God’s love.
He emphasised that the essence of the religious vocation is to make a return for that love through a life of faithful service and mission.
He described the retreat as a sacred time set aside for rest, nourishment and spiritual renewal. According to him, retreat serves as a vital building block in the life of every religious, providing the opportunity to step away from daily activities, listen attentively to God and deepen one’s relationship with Him.
Fr. Agorhum further explained that human life can be viewed in two broad stages. The first half, he noted, is largely dedicated to building the “container” of identity developing one’s sense of self, acquiring knowledge, skills and experiences, and striving for achievement.
However, he stressed that the purpose of life is not merely to build the container but to discover what fills it. The second half of life focuses on meaning, purpose and the deeper questions that emerge as one grows in wisdom and spiritual maturity.
He challenged the Sisters to reflect on the movement from doing to being, from achieving to receiving, from controlling to trusting, and from providing to discovering who they already are in God.
This transition, he explained, leads to what he described as the “second simplicity”, a stage in which the experiences of life are integrated and given deeper meaning.
Drawing inspiration from the Gospel account of Jesus’ encounter with Nathanael, Fr. Agorhum highlighted the beauty of authenticity and openness before God.
He noted that Jesus’ praise of Nathanael as a person without deceit pointed to the value of sincerity and truthfulness in the spiritual life.
Reflecting on Philip’s invitation to Nathanael, “Come and see,” he observed that the invitation was simple yet transformative.
Philip did not rely on persuasive arguments or elaborate explanations; instead, he invited Nathanael to experience Jesus personally.
Fr. Agorhum encouraged the sisters to see themselves as people who continue to respond to that same invitation. As they journey through the retreat, he urged them to invite their whole selves body, mind, soul and spirit to “come and see,” allowing God to speak to them in the simplicity and silence of the retreat experience.
The retreat continues throughout the week with periods of prayer, reflection and spiritual accompaniment aimed at renewing the sisters’ commitment to their vocation and mission as Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus.
By Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah, HHCJ (Catholic Sister Communicators network-Ghana, CASCON-GH)
