Fr. Tiesaah, a Jesuit priest and parish priest of St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish, Baatsona, Accra, shared a profound reflection with the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus during their pre-chapter assembly held in Nsoatre on June 28, 2025. Speaking on the theme “Towards a More Integrated Person,” he emphasized that true harmony and integration begin and find their fullness in Jesus Christ.
With Jesus, everything is in perfect harmony”, he stated, highlighting that, in our quest for integration as human beings and as religious, Jesus must remain at the center.
Fr. Tiesaah invited the sisters to consider what it truly means to bring together 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, we are called to live in such harmony within ourselves and with one another.
He acknowledged that living in communion with others, particularly within religious communities, can 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. “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.”
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.
1. First Mansion: The soul struggles with sin and needs abundant grace and effort for daily conversion.
2. Second Mansion: 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.
3. Third Mansion: There is a growing desire not to offend God. This stage demands humility and deeper focus on God’s indwelling presence.
4. Fourth Mansion: Prayer becomes more interior and quiet. One begins to experience infused prayer tears of consolation and a profound sense of God’s closeness.
5. Fifth Mansion: A more intimate union with God develops. Love for one’s neighbor grows, and sin becomes repulsive. Few reach this stage.
6. Sixth Mansion: Deep spiritual experiences emerge ecstasies, spiritual wounds, even levitation. Love for the Gospel intensifies. The soul needs great courage as the desire for God becomes overwhelming.
7. Seventh Mansion: The soul reaches spiritual marriage. One no longer merely “goes to pray” every act, every moment becomes prayer. The whole life is lived for God, without limits.
Fr. Tiesaah concluded by encouraging the 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 concluded.
Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah HHCJ (sister communicator)
