Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lagos (Fides Service) - Handmaids of Holy Child Jesus (H.H.C.J.) the first indigenous congregation of women religious in English-speaking Africa was founded in Nigeria in 1931 by Mother Mary Charles Walker, an English nun, member of the Irish order of the Sisters of Charity, a women of profound charity who opened several clinics and hospitals in southern Nigeria.
The dynamic missionary started off with four foundation members, three from Nigeria and one from Cameroon. The youngest of the four Christiana Waturuocha from Nigeria became the first Mother Superior of the Handmaids of Holy Child Jesus, with the name of Mother Mary Gertrude. Right from the onset the congregation was inter-tribal and international. With the motto Love and Service the sisters strive to follow the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary in her humility, simplicity, zeal and absolute trust in Divine Providence.
The apostolate of the Handmaids of Holy Child Jesus consists in witness of consecrated life, helping to build up the local church and participate in her pastoral work. The mission of the congregation is a ministry of transformation of persons through education, medical social and pastoral work with particular emphasis on the underprivileged, sick women, children and disabled children .
Today there are 731 Handmaids of Holy Child Jesus from Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Kenya and Gt Britain besides operating in these countries they also have homes in Italy, the United States and Germany. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 15/10/2005 righe 27 parole 287)
