On March 25, 2026, the Congregation of Sisters of the Incarnate Word (SVI) welcomed two aspirants into postulancy during a special initiation ceremony, symbolising the start of their journey into Religious Life.
The ceremony took place at the postulancy in Abesim, under the auspices of the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani.
It was officiated by the Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the founder and Bishop of the Diocese, who also serves as the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
Bishop Gyamfi, in his homily during the Eucharistic celebration, reflected with the Sisters on the Solemnity of the Annunciation.
He mentioned that the birthdays we celebrate are not truly our birthdays; rather, they mark the days when we took flesh in our parents’ wombs.
He acknowledged that this aspect is hidden from us, which is why we do not really celebrate our birthdays.
However, he noted that, there is one person whose actual birthday is known: Jesus Christ.
Therefore, we celebrate the Annunciation, which, he emphasised, is more about Christ than about Mary. But he also acknowledged that the conception of Christ was possible through Mary’s decision.
The Bishop urged the Sisters to emulate Mary by embracing the gifts and tasks that God presents to them, even when they were different from what they initially prayed for or expected in their spiritual journey.
He cautioned against the notion that following Christ guarantees only joy and comfort, reminding the aspirants that pain and suffering are inherent aspects of that path.
However, he encouraged them to find true happiness in the understanding of who they endure for and the purpose behind their trials.
Their joy, he emphasised, should be deeply rooted in Christ, and they should steer clear of living a superficial life.
The Sisters were urged to set aside their personal desires and comforts to fulfill the will of God, even if it meant sacrificing their lives.
The Sunyani Bishop encouraged the Sisters to remain obedient to God, just as Mary did, assuring them that they would find happiness in knowing for whom they were enduring suffering.
While transitioning from one profession to another may be straightforward, deciding to leave religious life or to end one marriage for another is much more complex.
He congratulated the new postulants and encouraged them to remain steadfast and persevere in their vocation.
He acknowledged that there would be times when they may cry or even feel regret, but emphasised that these challenges are the crosses they must bear.
He reminded them that being Religious did not mean that life would be easy.
It’s essential to understand that embracing a religious life comes with its own trials, Bishop Gyamfi noted.
Finding joy in enduring the hardships is key, as it reinforces one’s identity and purpose in the journey.
The Bishop urged the Sisters to live their religious lives deeply in the Lord, rather than superficially. He cautioned that being religious does not equate to the kind of happiness that the world often promotes, insisting that true fulfillment comes from living a life anchored in Christ.
He advised them to shift their perspective from saying they decided to become a sister to recognising that they have responded to God’s call.
It is crucial to understand that this calling is not a favour done to God, but a profound response to His invitation, he intimated.
He encouraged the Sisters to look to Christ as a model for handling their difficulties and challenges.
Concluding his homily, he emphasised the importance of being deeply spiritual, reminding them that self-judgment is more valuable than seeking judgment from others.
Each one should strive to assess their own relationship with the Lord, ensuring they remain aligned with His will, Bishop Gyamfi advised
Following the homily, Sr. Rebecca Asante, a Sister Communicator renewed her vows of consecration within the Congregation of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word.
A significant number of Sisters gathered to witness this important ceremony, as the solemnity of the Annunciation holds special significance as one of their congregational feasts.
By Sr. Esther Kutie, SVI(Catholic Sister Communicators Network-CASCON-GH)
