The Sisters of the Incarnate Word ( SVI) continued their eight-days annual retreat on August 2, 2026 being the second day at the Ark of the Covenant Novitiate, Mantukwa-Sunyani, with a Eucharistic celebration that challenged them to remain steadfast in their vocation and to embrace the compassionate heart of Christ.
The retreat, directed by Rev. Fr. Clement Amankwa, was under the theme “Renewing the Joy of Consecrated Life.”
Reflecting on the day’s Scripture readings during Holy Mass, Fr. Amankwa reminded the sisters that nothing should separate them from the love of God. Drawing from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, he emphasized that Christians are “more than conquerors” through Christ, who strengthens them in every trial.
He encouraged the sisters to hold firmly to the joy of their vocation, despite the difficulties and challenges that accompany religious life.
The celebrant challenged a common saying that “life is short,” explaining that every life, whether long or short, is a precious gift from God with a unique purpose. Rather than focusing on the length of life, he urged the sisters to concentrate on living each day faithfully and fruitfully in response to God’s call.
Fr. Amankwa explained that every person encounters two kinds of suffering: “personal struggles” and “the suffering of others”. Personal struggles may include sickness, disappointments, unfulfilled dreams, loneliness, or other trials that individuals experience.
External struggles, on the other hand, involve the pain carried by family members, fellow religious, friends, and the wider community. He noted that religious men and women are not exempt from such challenges, but are called to face them with hope, faith, and trust in God.
Turning to the Gospel account of the feeding of the five thousand, the priest invited the sisters to contemplate the heart of Jesus. He explained that Christ never remained indifferent to human suffering.
After hearing of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus experienced grief and withdrew to pray. Yet, when He encountered the hungry crowds, His compassion moved Him to care for their needs rather than send them away.
Fr. Amankwa highlighted Jesus’ instruction to His disciples: “Give them something to eat.”He explained that this command remains relevant today, especially for those in consecrated life.
Rather than distancing themselves from people who are hurting, religious sisters are called to accompany them, offer hope, and become instruments of God’s compassion in the world.
The homily encouraged the sisters to imitate the heart of Christ by being attentive to the needs of those around them and by responding generously to God’s call to serve. As the retreat continues, they are being invited to deepen their trust in God, persevere through life’s challenges, and renew their commitment to living joyful and compassionate lives in service of the Church and humanity.
Through daily prayer, silence, reflection, and the celebration of the Eucharist, the retreat continues to strengthen the sisters in their vocation, helping them rediscover the enduring joy that comes from belonging completely to Christ.
By Sr. Rebecca Asante, SVI ( Sister Communicator CASCON-GH)
