APOSTOLIC WORK EXPERIENCE VS CORONA VIRUS EXPERIENCE
APOSTOLIC WORK EXPERIENCE VS CORONA VIRUS EXPERIENCE
Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Second Year Novices (2018/2020)
We began our three months apostolic work community experiences on the 6th of January 2020 and were expected back to the novitiate on the 6th of April, 2020 to continue with our spiritual and academic formation. There is no one on the planet earth that will ever forget the experience of the dreaded Corona Virus (COVID-19). Never has it happened in the history of the yearly apostolic work experience of the novices that a disease would make the second year novices of our Institute to cut short their apostolic experience and return to the novitiate without the completion of the period. The early Christians faced persecutions and found a safe refuge in the catacombs to offer their prayers as a group of believers. However, at the outbreak of corona virus pandemic, no ‘catacombs’ were available for gathering as all were strictly instructed to stay at home, maintain a social distance and wear face mask in order to stay safe, alive and prevent the disease from spreading.
The Coronavirus scourge that ravaged the world caused us the second year novices to have both an incomplete as well as over extended apostolic/community experience of two months and three weeks and of five months respectively. We were posted for our apostolic work experience in Iju, Mushin, Ikorodu, Epe (all in Lagos State), Agenebode in Edo State, Kabba in Kogi State, Oleh in Delta State and Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State with various experiences of the impact of the COVID-19. This unprecedented call off and lengthened time of our apostolic experiences was accepted in good faith as it was not within our power to do otherwise. The Corona virus outbreak and its impact in our lives is something none of us will ever forget. Also, we have made it into the Guinness book of records of the Institute as the group/set that spent an incomplete and prolonged apostolic work/community experience.
This new century pandemic incepted in Wuhan, China towards the end of the year 2019 but was not viral till this year 2020 (the twin year). This virus changed the world, there was fear and tension everywhere; everyone became a possible victim of the disease and it was worse for the individual if any of the symptoms was noticed. The fear of corona was the beginning of hygiene as many took their daily hygiene seriously. Many seized the opportunity to escalate the prizes of goods and services in the bid of gaining more than necessary. Due to this, those who could not afford things to sustain themselves were given palliatives by the government, individuals, organizations and others. Many also lost their lives to the feelings of hunger and other sicknesses due to lack of fund and medical care at reach.
The educational, medical, spiritual and social sectors were greatly affected as schools and hospitals where we were posted to work before the lock down had a lot of stress especially for those in schools as we prepared the pupils and students for their rushed examinations. Hospitals were no longer receiving patients for fear of contacting the virus. Churches and other spiritual gatherings were suspended. Social gatherings equally were placed on hold. The period of the lockdown brought much suffering, dangers for the health workers, loss of jobs, hunger, unending death of those infected with the virus and the wavering faith of those whose faith are not all that firmly rooted.
We prayed fervently seeking the face of God; COVID-19 experience brought us nearer to God. The world united void of differences to fight the virus. It also reduced immorality and some persons found out their hidden talents. For us, it was time to pray more and realize the things that really matter in life which is the love of God and care of neighbor. Everyone was seen as very important and a child of God. For us again, it was a great experience out there outside the four walls of our novitiate as we took part in helping out to bring spiritual and material relief to all those we experienced within the period of our apostolate work. Some of us were engaged in the making of face masks by our Institute which was distributed to the Churches, hospitals and the general public to aid in the prevention of the spread of the virus.
We pray that the pandemic will be eradicated and daily living will be brought back to normalcy; we also pray for quick recovery of those infected with the virus, a peaceful repose of the souls who died due to the virus and consolation to those left to mourn the deceased. AMEN.
Second Year Novices of the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus
- Sr. Cleopatra Mario Ogbonna
- Sr. Zita Marie Dunia
- Sr. Mary Priscilla Dungching
- Sr. Mary Fidelia Kpamor
- Sr. Mary Veronica Kanaan
- Sr. Elizabeth Mary Mmoughara
- Sr. Nichole Maris Onyeaghala
- Sr. Theodora Marie Ejembi
Well done sisters.
Sr. Fidelia Mary Alao, EHJ
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. Simple and though experiences are meant to convey a deeper meaning and the understanding of life which is transient and capricious, and that the only sane thing is to hold on to God who is immortal and unchangeable.
The tragedy, the fear, the charade, the intrigues of the Pandemic will surely leave in its trails the truth of the vulnerability, the atrocious nature of the human person and our total dependence on God who is all knowing. May God heal and save our world evil.