The Sisters of Divine Love and Mercy gathered in Tamale – Sagnerigu Formation Centre during which Sixteen Sisters participated in this year’s retreat from August 3 to 10 2026.
Reflecting on the Theme: “Walk in the Mercy of Jesus Christ and Discover the Christian Life”, the retreat preacher, Rev. Fr. Moisés Herves Jiménez from Spain and the team leader of the Neocatecumenate Way a Christian initiation that teaches the catechism of the Catholic Church in Ghana.
He introduced the Sisters to the retreat, encouraging them to walk in the mercy of Jesus Christ and Discover the Christian life in the catechesis.
The eight-day annual retreat of the Sisters of Divine Love and Mercy was a profound and enriching spiritual experience.
It provided them with a precious opportunity to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, renew our commitment to their vocation, and rediscover the meaning of their Christian life.
Guided by the theme, “Walk in the Mercy of Jesus Christ and Discover the new Christian Life,” they were invited to reflect honestly on who they are as Religious , how faithfully they live their faith, and the call to continual conversion.
Fr. Herves, reminded the Sisters that they cannot separate their Christian identity from the way they live their daily lives.
To be a Christian means to recognize who we are in Christ and to live according to the values of the Gospel. Christian identity requires the courage to say “no” to whatever separates us from God and to reject values that are contrary to the teachings of Christ.
Following Jesus is not always easy, but it requires a sincere and daily commitment to live the truth of the Gospel, he told the Sisters. He also reminded them of the important signs of Christian faith which are love and unity.
Jesus teaches them to love as He has loved them and to remain united with each other. Christian love is not merely a feeling; it is expressed through forgiveness, patience, compassion, service, understanding and acceptance, he stated.
He said: “As Christians, especially as Consecrated Persons, you are called to become signs of God’s love wherever you find yourselves.”
The communities, families and places of ministry should experience the presence of Christ through the way they relate to and treat each other.
Fr. Moses reminded them not to lose sight of holiness in their daily lives. Holiness is not reserved for special occasions; it is lived in their ordinary activities, prayers, relationships, work and service to others.
The Sisters were encouraged to be authentic and to allow God to transform them rather than trying to become someone they are not. A sincere Christian life begins when they accept themselves honestly before God and allow His grace to work within them.
Another important question for the reflection of Sisters was: “What does it mean to be salt and light to the world?” Jesus calls His disciples to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt gives flavour and preserves, while light enables people to see. In the same way, Christians are called to bring hope, goodness, truth and love into the world. Our lives should make a positive difference in the lives of those around us. Through our words and actions, people should be able to encounter something of the love and mercy of Christ.
The Sisters were challenged not to be afraid to speak about God and to help those who have gone astray rediscover His mercy. This does not mean condemning or judging others. Rather, it means witnessing Christ with humility, love and courage.
There are many wounded, discouraged and searching people who need to hear the good news that God loves them and that conversion is always possible.
Fr. Moses further invited the Sisters to ask themselves : “For whom are they living as Christians ?” This question called the sisters to examine their motivations and the purpose of their vocation. They are not called to live only for ourselves. They live for God, for the salvation of souls and for the good of others.
Their Christian vocation is both a gift and a responsibility. They must therefore allow their lives to become instruments through which God’s mercy can reach others.
They were encouraged not to erase their past from their life stories. Their past experiences, including weaknesses, failures and mistakes, can become part of their testimonies . What matters is not remaining trapped in the past, but allowing God to transform it. Their experiences can teach them humility, gratitude and compassion for others who are also struggling. In the Christian life, transformation begins with sincerity. When we honestly acknowledge who we are before God, we create space for His grace to heal and transform them.
As Religious, they were reminded to acknowledge their weakness and dependence on God’s mercy.
Recognizing their weakness is not a sign of failure; rather, it is an invitation to trust more deeply in God.
They cannot live the Christian life by their own strength. They need God’s grace, prayer, the Sacraments, the Word of God and the support of the Christian community.
Another significant lesson was the need to remain open to continual conversion. Conversion is not something that happens only once in their lives. Every Christian is called to ongoing conversion—to turn away from sin and turn more deeply towards Christ. They must continually examine their lives and ask themselves what needs to be changed so that they may become more faithful disciples of Jesus.
The retreat preacher reminded them that the Word of God is food for their souls. Just as the body needs physical nourishment, their spiritual lives need the Word of God. Through listening, meditation, prayer and silence, they allow God’s Word to speak to their hearts. Daily moments of silence help to hear God’s voice more clearly and discern His will for their lives.
Through the Word of God and prayer, they receive the strength to continue their journey of faith and salvation through Jesus Christ.This retreat was a valuable opportunity for the Sisters of Divine Love and Mercy to step away from their daily activities and enter more deeply into prayer, silence and reflection. It helped them to rediscover their Christian identity and recognize their constant need for God’s mercy and continual conversion.
They were reminded that to walk with Jesus means to love as He loves, to live in unity, to embrace holiness, to acknowledge our weaknesses, and to become salt and light in the world.
By: Sr. Immaculate Francesco, SDLM and Sr. Celestina Theresa Maris, SDLM ( Catholic Sister Communicators Network, Ghana CASCON-GH)
