Formation in the PHJC Congregation

The first Nigerian Sisters had their formation in Germany. Now, after we have opened houses in Nigeria itself, formation takes place within Nigeria.

Our formation house is in Niger State, in the little village of Garam, not far from Bwari, Abuja FCT. Sister Chika Dibia is the formation promoter. Her phone number is 08034511526; her e-mail address if chikasondibia@yahoo.com. Our postal address is PHJC Formation House, P.Box 152 Bwari, Abuja FCT.

If you want to visit us, you can travel to Bwari by bus from Abuja and then take an Okada to Garam. Or you can take a bus along Lokoja-Kaduna Express Road, until Sabon Wuse Bwari Junction, and go from there by Okada along Old Wuse Road through Gyedna and Azu to Garam, and you will find our house just before you reach Garam.

Catholic women and girls between the ages of 18 and 35 can be accepted as candidates if they want to join us and become community members. They should have finished secondary school with at least five credits including English and mathematics. Any kind of professional training is helpful. We will not accept candidates who have been professed in another congregation before.

As we are a congregation working for the people of God, community life is very important. Future members must be ready to live in community with others, reliable and ready to do any kind of work. We are happy to have members of different tribes and language groups. So far, our young members are Nigerians from Igbo, Yoruba, Effik, Tiv, Ibibio and Bwagi tribes. There are also three Germans and one Cameroonian. Our community language is English.

There is a chance to live with us before actually entering if women or girls want to get to know us better. They can share in our apostolic work and live with us, giving both sides a chance to see whether becoming a member would be good for both.

The stages of formation are: Candidacy - any time that is needed to come to a clear decision. During candidacy, applicants join a vocation weekend which is held in July each year, and stay at least for one week within Garam community. The entering date is March 1st, every year.

The first formation weekend 2006

 

Postulancy - one year, begin- ning March 25th. It ist possible to prolong postulancy for another year. Novitiate - two years. The first, canonical year is spent in the formation house without aposto- lic work outside, the second year is dedicated to the experience of both apostolic and religious life. Novitiate can be prolonged for half a year.

Our new postulants March 2010

 

After novitiate has been completed and the novices have been accepted, they pronounce first vows of celibacy, poverty and obedience. The time in temporary vows is at least five years before final vows can be taken.

Our new novices March 2010

During candidacy and postulancy, applicants wear their normal clothing. For special events, the postulants may wear white blouse and black skirt with an identical headscarf. Novices have a habit African style. Sisters wear a simple blue skirt and veil with white blouse.
Our rule is based on the charism and spirituality of Mother Mary Katherine Kasper. It has been changed and adapted several times in General chapters and accepted by Rome.

Garam community in August 2008

The medal the professed Sisters wear, has been developed by one of our German Sisters, Sr. Roswitha Ruh.