Formation – Training Sisters | Sisters of our Lady of Apostles

Pilgrims of Hope: OLA Formators Gather in Cotonou

Pilgrims of Hope: OLA Formators Gather in Cotonou Fifteen Formators of the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles arrived in Cotonou, Bénin, on November 29, 2025, for a two‑week international formation session. Welcomed warmly by the Provincial Leader, Sr. Odile SOUDONOU, with her Council and sisters of the Benin Province. The gathering opened with a Holy Mass and ceremony that set a deeply spiritual tone. The Congregational Leader, Sr. Mary T. BARRON, joined virtually, reminding participants that “OLA charism is alive and evolving”. She invited them to walk together in synodality—listening, discerning, and guiding young women with patience, mercy, and love. Fr. Maurice HOUNMENOU encouraged living the “three Ds”: desire for God, prayerful requests, and detachment from worldly distractions. Jesuit Fr. Eugene GOUSSIKINDEY enriched the recollection with reflections on Jesus as Shepherd and Gate, calling the Formators to be gentle guides and protectors of the flock. Living in hope, this session renews the mission of OLA Formators to accompany vocations with faith and compassion. https://www.facebook.com/share/17dZLC4EJg/

Renewal session: Ibadan, Nigeria

A Renewal Session for the 55 to 75 age group took place in Ibadan from 09-28 July 2022. The group was composed of 24 sisters from Ghana, Togo, Burkina Faso, Lebanon, Italy, Egypt and the host country, Nigeria. The organising team were members of the Mission and Ongoing Formation Commission: Sister Marie Hélène Gourdon from the Council of the Congregation, Sister Wilhelmina Mensah from Ghana, Sister Margaret Uwhache from Nigeria, Sister Samia Farouk from Egypt and Sister Françoise Gueu-Zro from the Ivory Coast. During these three weeks many topics were developed such as The prophetic character of the consecrated life and OLA mission. Living a balanced life … letting go … passing on … and sharing experiences… Life transitions and aging gracefully. Facing health challenges of health. Charism Intergenerational co-responsibility in community life and mentoring / Leadership. These themes were given by our OLA sisters and some external speakers. The rhythm of the session included time for personal reflections, sharing the fruits of our reflections first in small groups and then altogether in the large group. At the end of the first week, we enjoyed quiet reflective integration time, shared in the different groups. We had two (2) days of recollection, led by Fr Julius Temyui, SMA who was also our competent translator, together with our own Sr. Fidelia Chukwumah. The talents in the group were also shared with one participant finding time to teach us some paper crafts. We say thank you to our sisters on the Council of [...]

Final vows preparations

From June to September 2022 twenty two OLA Sisters are participating in a session in preparation for final vows. They are from 8 different countries of origin; Lebanon, Republic of Chad, Tanzania, Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ivory Coast and from the host country Ghana. The Sisters are enjoying this time together, reflecting on their vocation journey so far. Many important themes related to their religious missionary life are dissected together, explored and discussed. It is a special time where each one personally but also as a group can get in touch with God’s call in their life, drawing them closer to that final YES which is the life long commitment to follow Christ as a Religious Missionary. Our prayers are with them in a special way these weeks.