Institute of Consecrated Life · Catholic Diocese of Uyo
Witnessing Members of the Holy Family
In Love, With Love and For Love
In the quiet home of Nazareth, Jesus, Mary and Joseph lived a love that was humble, faithful and wholly given. We are consecrated women who have heard that same call: to love as they loved, and to carry the Good News beyond the pulpit, to the places where people live, work, suffer and hope.
“God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16
Our community
The faces of our consecrated life
Behind every smile is a “yes” given to God. These are Sisters who have renounced all to embrace all: women of prayer and joy who have left what is familiar to follow Christ, and who now live, work and rejoice together in the spirit of the Holy Family of Nazareth. In their simple habits and open hearts, you meet a family built on love, mutual respect, patience and forgiveness, and a sisterhood that goes out to share that love with every home it reaches.
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” · Colossians 3:14
- Inaugurated
- 30 January 2011
- Home Diocese
- Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
- Patron
- The Holy Family of Nazareth
- Spirituality
- St. Ignatius of Loyola
In communion
Those who guide and send us
Gratefully under the care of the Holy Father, our Bishop, and the ones who accompany us in our calling.
Who we are
Leaving all, to embrace all, for the sake of the Gospel
A family of consecrated women, sent to be witnesses of love.
The Witnessing Members of the Holy Family (WMHF) is an Institute of Consecrated Life, born in the heart of the Catholic Diocese of Uyo as a gift of God to His Church. It was founded by His Grace, Most Rev. Joseph Effiong Ekuwem, then Bishop of Uyo and now Metropolitan Archbishop of Calabar, together with Very Rev. Fr. Martin Usenobong Akpan, of blessed memory, as co-founder.
Our hearts were set alight by the early missionary priests, sisters and lay faithful who renounced all to embrace all for the sake of the Gospel. Inspired by their courage and generosity, we stand ready to serve wherever we are sent, and not only within the walls of the church. We break new ground and carry the Good News to the places where Christ is not yet known, and rekindle faith where it has grown faint.
Our name declares what we long to be: witnesses. Not merely women who speak of love, but sisters whose life together, shaped by prayer, forgiveness and humble service, shows the world that the love of the Holy Family of Nazareth can still be lived today.
WHAT GUIDES US
VISION, MISSION, CHARISM, SPIRITUALITY AND APOSTOLATE
Our Vision
To lead souls to God through primary evangelization in the suburbs and in every place where He is yet to be known; to hold the poor, the needy and the marginalized close to our hearts; and to do all this through a life of prayer and the promotion of the values of family life.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” Luke 4:18
Our Mission
We break up new ground for the establishment of the Kingdom of God, and we re-establish the Church of Christ wherever the faith is dying out or is no longer strong, so that the flame of the Gospel may burn again in every heart.
“It has been my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named.” Romans 15:20
Our Charism
Primary evangelization and the promotion of Christian values in families and in society. Our Founder called it the charism of charisms: like a family in which every member has a different gift, all used for the glory of God. Each Sister offers her gift wholeheartedly, wherever and whenever the need arises.
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-5
Our Spirituality
We walk the way of St. Ignatius of Loyola: finding God in all things, in every moment and every corner of life.
“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Our Apostolate
We serve Jesus Christ in the poor and in those who do not yet know Him. We pray and work with families, teaching and promoting family values to Christian and non-Christian homes alike, with the Holy Family of Nazareth as our model.
Wherever and whenever it is possible, we seek to establish, nurture and build up a wider Holy Family community, with whom we share our life and with whom we serve the Church and the world.
To make Christ better known, we are actively engaged in:
- Education
- Pastoral initiatives
- Catechetical classes
- Healthcare
- Domestic work
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40
OUR MODEL AND PATRON
THE HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH
“In Love, With Love and For Love”
The motto of our Institute, as we strive to live in love, mutual respect, patience, forgiveness and sacrificial care for one another.
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man.” Luke 2:52
The Holy Family is the model and patron of our religious life. In the hidden village of Nazareth, Jesus, Mary and Joseph made an ordinary home extraordinary by love. There the Child grew in wisdom, Mary treasured every word in her heart, and Joseph, the silent and righteous man, worked and watched over them in faithful obedience to God.
From that humble home we draw the spirit of our Institute. We ask the grace to make our own community a little Nazareth, a place of prayer, peace and welcome, and to carry that warmth into every family we serve. Seven gifts shine out from Nazareth, and we pray to grow in them each day.
“His mother treasured all these things in her heart.” Luke 2:51
THE SEVEN GIFTS OF NAZARETH
Love
The warmth at the centre of the home at Nazareth, and of every home that welcomes God.
“Love one another as I have loved you.” John 13:34
Faith
Believing God’s promise even when the way ahead is hidden.
“Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45
Obedience
Listening for God’s voice, and answering with a ready “yes”.
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38
Absolute trust
Placing our whole life, and the lives of those we serve, in God’s hands.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.” Proverbs 3:5
Humble service
Giving ourselves in small, hidden, faithful ways, as Joseph and Mary did.
“Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.” Matthew 1:24
Compassion
Letting our hearts be moved by the poor, the weary and the forgotten.
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36
Understanding
Meeting one another, and everyone we serve, with patience and forgiveness.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.” Ephesians 4:32