At Nsoatre in the Bono Region of Ghana, a deep sense of spiritual renewal and sisterly unity filled the air as the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ), Ghana Province, concluded an eight-day retreat in preparation for its upcoming 9th Provincial Chapter.
The retreat, held at the serene grounds of the HHCJ Novitiate in Nsoatre, brought together delegates from across the Province.
With hearts attuned to reflection and prayer, the Sisters immersed themselves in the retreat experience from August 23 to 30, 2025, ahead of their Provincial Chapter scheduled for October 19 to 27 this year.
Guided by Rev. Fr. Isaac Amponsah Boateng, CSSp, a Spiritan Priest from Kumasi, the retreat centred on the theme: _“Renewal of Our Values and Spirituality as Handmaids, Being Pilgrims of Hope in the World.”_
Fr. Amponsah led the Sisters through a journey of rediscovery, calling on them to reconnect with their roots as Handmaids and reflect deeply on their personal and communal identities.
He challenged them to renew what might have been lost or weakened over time, especially in the face of life’s crosses and the complex dynamics of community living.
“See one another as both gifts and crosses from God,” he urged, adding that “It is only in embracing both the joy and the pain that you can truly renew your values and support one another as Sisters.”
The retreat was also a time to revisit the congregation’s core values of simplicity, commitment, humility, justice, loyalty, unity, respect, hospitality, generosity, and service.
Fr. Amponsah offered a brief but profound reflections on each, encouraging the delegates to embody these virtues not just in word, but in daily living.
On the final day, the retreat closed with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a powerful moment of healing and forgiveness.
The Priest invited the Sisters to release past wounds and let go of the burdens of resentment, toward those who have hurt them and those they themselves may have hurt.
“Only when we are reconciled with one another,” he said, asking “can love, peace, and justice truly flourish among us.”
With hearts renewed and spirits strengthened, the HHCJ Chapter Delegates returned to their communities, ready to enter the Provincial Chapter with clarity, unity, and a deeper commitment to their mission as Handmaids, pilgrims of hope in a world that longs for healing.
Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah, HHCJ (Sister Communicator)
