The sixth day of the eight-day annual retreat of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word (SVI) at the Ark of the Covenant Novitiate, Mantukwa-Sunyani, coincided with the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, a celebration that brought renewed inspiration and hope to the retreat.
A special highlight of the Eucharistic celebration was the renewal of commitment by the finally professed Sisters of the SVI Congregation, who reaffirmed their dedication to Christ and their religious vocation before God and the community.
Reflecting on the Gospel of the Transfiguration, Rev. Fr. Clement Amankwa, Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani and Retreat Director, described the Consecrated Life as a lifelong mountaintop experience of holiness.
He explained that just as Jesus led Peter, James, and John up the mountain where His glory was revealed, every Religious Sister is invited to journey continually towards holiness through a deep and faithful relationship with Christ.
Fr. Amankwa acknowledged that climbing a mountain is never easy. There are moments of fatigue, discouragement, and the temptation to turn back before reaching the summit.
Likewise, he said, the Religious Vocation is marked by sacrifices, trials, and moments of uncertainty. Yet these challenges should never cause a religious to lose sight of the beauty and joy that await those who persevere faithfully.
The Priest noted that the Transfiguration reminds believers that moments of grace strengthen them for the crosses that lie ahead. Before His Passion, Jesus revealed His glory to His disciples to prepare and strengthen their faith. In the same way, God grants moments of spiritual renewal to sustain religious sisters in their lifelong commitment to Him.
He encouraged the SVI Sisters to remain faithful to the daily practices that lead to holiness, including personal and communal prayer, regular celebration of the Eucharist, fidelity to their vows, generous service in mission, and perseverance in times of difficulty. These ordinary yet faithful acts, he said, gradually lead every Religious to the “mountaintop” of union with God.
A moving moment during the Mass was the renewal of commitment by twelve finally professed Sisters of the Incarnate Word.
On this feast of the Lord’s Transfiguration, the sisters publicly renewed their commitment to live the evangelical counsels with renewed joy, fidelity, and generosity.
Their renewal served as a powerful witness to the enduring beauty of God’s call and reflected the retreat’s theme, “Renewing the Joy of Consecrated Life.”
The celebration reminded the entire community that although the path of consecrated life includes both moments of joy and moments of sacrifice, those who remain faithful to Christ will continually experience the transforming power of His presence and the hope of sharing in His glory.
By Sr. Rebecca Asante, SVI (Sister Communicator CASCON-GH)
