Fr. Reginald Tiesaah, a Jesuit Priest, has told the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus Sisters that true harmony and integration begin and find their fullness in Jesus Christ.
“With Jesus, everything is in perfect harmony”, he stated, during the HHCJ Pre-Chapter Assembly Nsoatre in the Sunyani Diocese on June 28, 2025.
Reflecting on the theme “Towards a More Integrated Person,” he emphasized that, “in our quest for integration as human beings and as Religious, Jesus must remain at the centre.”
Fr. Tiesaah, who is the and Parish Priest of St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish, Baatsona, Accra, invited the Sisters to consider what it truly meant to bring together with the many parts of “our body, mind, and spirit” into a unified whole.
He explained that the Holy Trinity itself is “our first model of perfect integration: three Persons, yet one God, existing in unity and love.”
Likewise, he said “We are called to live in such harmony within ourselves and with one another.”
The Jesuit Priest acknowledged that living in communion with others, particularly within Religious Communities, could be difficult. “It’s not easy to live with your brothers and sisters, especially when you are different,” he said.
Referencing the story of Joseph, he noted how Joseph’s gifts, initially a cause of jealousy and rejection, ultimately became the means of salvation for his family.
“Sometimes people dislike you even before knowing you,” he observed, adding that “But your God-given gifts are not meant to divide they’re meant to serve.”
He also pointed to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as a model of deep integration with God.
“Mary is unique, special, and profoundly faithful. Her life shows us how to be fully human and fully united with God,” he iteratedd.
Turning to other spiritual figures, Fr. Tiesaah referenced St. Teresa of Avila, whose work “The Interior Castle” describes the soul’s journey toward union with God through seven “mansions” or stages of spiritual growth.
The first mansion, he stated was “The soul struggles with sin and needs abundant grace and effort for daily conversion.”
Secondly, “A spiritual tug-of-war begins God draws the soul in, but distractions pull it back. What is needed most here is companionship and perseverance.”
Thirdly, “There is a growing desire not to offend God. This stage demands humility and a deeper focus on God’s indwelling presence.”
The fourth, he said, is “Prayer becomes more interior and quiet. One begins to experience infused prayer tears of consolation and a profound sense of God’s closeness.”
According to him, the fifth mansion is “:A more intimate union with God develops. Love for one’s neighbor grows, and sin becomes repulsive”, stating that few reach this stage.
“Deep spiritual experiences emerge ecstasies, spiritual wounds, even levitation, he mentioned as the sixth mansion, adding that this is where the love for the Gospel intensifies while the soul needs great courage as the desire for God becomes overwhelming.
The seventh mansion is the soul reaching spiritual marriage were one no longer merely “goes to pray” every act, every moment becomes prayer. The whole life is lived for God, without limits.”
Fr. Tiesaah encouraged the HHCJ Sisters not to settle for mediocrity in their spiritual lives.
“There is a higher calling to a deeper integration and unity with God that awaits us. When we taste this new life in Christ, we cannot go back to our old selves”. True renewal is possible, Fr. Reginald emphasised.
Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah, HHCJ (Sister Communicator)
