The Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI) Congregation recently concluded a two-week intensive training in Spiritual Direction and Directed Retreat for 24 Sisters drawn from all five Districts of the Congregation.
The unique programme sponsored by Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, USA, took place at the Congregation’s Mother House, Daffiama.
The sponsors have partnered with the Sisters of Mary Immaculate to support the Congregation’s spiritual growth and other areas of need.
The participants of the training, held from June 21 to July 4, 2026, currently serve in 11 Dioceses across the country.
It was facilitated by Sr. Sharon Becker, CSJ, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, who resides and ministers in Orange, south of Los Angeles.
Sr. Sharon has been preaching and directing retreats and giving spiritual direction for a couple of years after going on retirement from the public sector as a trained nurse.
This training session is a build up on an earlier training held in early 2026.
The General Council of the SMI Congregation initiated the programme to form its own members for the ministry of Spiritual Direction, with the hope of strengthening mutual support among the Sisters and responding to the wider Church’s call for spiritual accompaniment.
Grounded in Ignatian Spirituality
The training drew inspiration from the Ignatian spirituality, using the book, The Ignatian Adventure with a preface by Kevin O’Brien, SJ.
Over the two weeks, Sr. Sharon guided the SMI Sisters through both theory and practice, covering key areas which included:
. Preaching directed retreats of 30, 8, 6, and 3 days .
.Journeying with St. Ignatius through contemplation, imagination, meditation, and Lectio Divina on the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus
.Foundations of Spiritual Direction: God’s purpose for each person — to love Him, praise Him, and be drawn into intimacy with Him
.Skills and ethics for Spiritual Direction
.Forms of direction and the distinction between spiritual direction and pastoral counseling
For the practicum, the Sisters were paired as Director and Directee, alternating roles each week.
The 24 participants were then grouped by Apostolate: Formators and Vocation Directors,
Congregational Leadership,
Sisters in health, education, and social ministries.
Each group presented a working plan for Spiritual Direction tailored to their ministry.
Graduation and Send Forth
The programme climaxed with a graduation ceremony where participants were awarded certificates and sent forth to “keep the fire of Spiritual Direction burning.”
Each Sister stepped forward to express the various graces received, and their renewed commitment to carry out the mission in their communities and beyond.
Gratitude
A participant, Sr. Evelyn Awono expressed profound gratitude for the “countless support and sacrifices” the Congregation has received from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange in diverse ways.
“The Congregation is indebted to Sr. Sharon Becker, CSJ, who is always ready to be sent to Ghana for the mission of facilitation,” Sr. Evelyn said. “We pray that God keeps her strong and healthy and brings her back safely, as we anticipate her next visit”.
As part of their gratitude to Sr. Sharon Becker, the Sisters made presentations to her.
Notable among the gifts was an artifact in the form of a globe. Presenting it, Sr. Stephanie Ayomah explained the globe as a symbol of unity between the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange and the Sisters of Mary Immaculate Congregation.
As well the unity between Europe and Africa. The gesture was deeply touching to Sr. Sharon, who exclaimed, “I love it.”
By: Sr. Juliana Atuuna, SMI, ( Catholic Sister Communicators Network, Ghana-CASCON-G)
