SHORT HISTORY OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, (SPIRITANS) GHANA PROVINCE
The congregation of the Holy Spirit, (Spiritans) Province of Ghana also known as Holy Ghost Fathers is an international religious missionary institute. It was founded by a French national by name Claude Poullart Des Places in 1703. In 1841, venerable Father Francis Libermann, a convert Jew, formed the congregation of the Holy Heart of Mary.
These two Congregations were merged into one in 1848 because the congregation of the Holy Heart of Mary has as its Charism same as that of the Holy Ghost congregation. After the merge the official name of the congregation became Congregation of the Holy Spirit, under the protection of the Holy Heart of Mary. Today it has over 2,790 members worldwide who are working in 53 countries.
The history of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans) in Ghana dates back as far as 1878 when one of its members, Fr. Charles Gommenginer, who was the Pro-Vicar of Sierra Leone after the death of Bishop Marion de Bresillac, founder of the Society of Africa Mission (SMA) made extensive visit to the Coastal and interior region of the Gold Coast (present Ghana)such as Axim, Elmina, Cape Coast, Accra and Kumasi in order to survey possibilities of establishing permanent Catholic stations in different parts of the country. Unfortunately, his dream could not come to fruition due to the changes made the following years. Gold Coast became a prefecture for a year after the historic visit and the territory entrusted to the Society of African Mission in 1879.
The visit, however, sowed the seed for the Spiritan Presence that started with the arrival of 10 Irish Spiritans invited by Archbishop Emeritus Peter K. Sarpong in 1971. Ten years the Irish Spiritans started recruiting Ghanaians to be trained as Spiritans. Most of the pioneers were trained in Nigerian, the Gambia and Liberia until in 1989 when Novitiate and Philosophy houses were opened were opened at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region.
Today, the breakdown of the membership of the Province is as follows; Priests- 104, Brothers – 4, Students in various stages of formation houses – 30. In all there are 149 members. In Ghana, the Spiritans are working in the following places: Archdiocese of Kumasi, Archdiocese of Accra, Diocese of Ho, Vicariate of Donkorkrom, Diocese of Konongo-Mampong, Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga, Diocese of Obuasi, Diocese of Sekondi – Takoradi, Dioceses of Yendi and Goaso.
Some of our members are also working as missionaries in these areas in the world; Brazil, Taiwan, Bolivia, Zambia, Republic of Benin, USA, Canada, UK, Republic of Ireland, France, Kenya, Martinique, Seychelles Island, Portugal, Cameroon, Madagasca, Angola. Our works differ but apart from the mainstream parish ministry, school apostolate is seen as very essential to our missionary exercise. In Ghana for example Spiritans have established Spiritan University College at Ejisu, Spiritan Academy (Technical, Vocational and Senior High School) at Adankwame in the Ashanti Region and Libermann Catholic Senior High School at Sowodazem (Elubo) in the Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region.
Furthermore for their cordial relationship, through the then Provincial Superior now Archbishop Bonaventure Kwofie, Emeritus Francis Kofi Anani Lodonu invited the Spiritans to the Diocese and were since then entrusted with the Queen of Peace Parish in Ve – Golokuati since October 2006 to date where they are feeding and caring for the flock entrusted to them physically and spiritually.
These are the men who served and are still serving the parish namely; Rev. Fr. William Opoku-Boateng C.S.Sp. (Parish Priest) and Rev. Fr. Ambrose Ohene C.S.Sp (Associate) then Fr. James Ekudi C.S.Sp (Parish Priest) and Rev. Fr. Coleman Getor C.S.Sp. (Associate) currently serving the Parish are Rev. Fr. Valerius Kosikojo Mensah C.S.Sp (Parish Priest) and Rev, Fr. John Mammah C.S.Sp.
THE PORTRAIT OF THE REDEMPTORIST.
(Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer)
As an international Catholic Religious Congregation with membership of about 6,000 men (priests and brothers), our presence is felt in every corner of the world. In whatever way we can, we try to bring Jesus our Redeemer into the very heart of daily life. Whether in working with those searching for a deeper understanding of faith, or celebrating the liturgy each day in our parishes, or encountering people in the inner city, we offer people a new and exciting glimpse of a loving Father who calls us by name.
It doesn’t matter what part of the world we come from, or what culture we were brought up in, we all share some important things in common. We are all men of faith whose driving force is the gospel. We have a passion for the Gospel and we have a passion for people. We seek to bring these two passions together.
It would be impossible for someone to become a Redemptorist without either of these qualities. The Gospel is not meant to be mere words on paper, but a lived experience of love: love of God the Father, love of the person of Jesus Christ and love of neighbour. We believe it is possible for everyone, regardless of social or economic background, to experience Jesus Christ in a deep and personal way. We make their hopes and dreams our own.
Strong in faith, rejoicing in hope, burning with charity, on fire with zeal, in humility of heart and persevering in prayer, Redemptorists as apostolic men and genuine disciples of Saint Alphonsus follow Christ the Redeemer with hearts full of joy; denying themselves and always ready to undertake what is demanding ,they share in the mystery of Christ and proclaim it in Gospel simplicity of life and language, that they may bring to people plentiful redemption.
Our Charism and apostolate: The Redemptorist congregation exists to “follow the example of Jesus Christ the Redeemer by preaching the word of God to the Poor,” as he declared of himself: “He sent me to preach Good News to the Poor.” The pursuit of this objective is an onerous task. With good humour and dedication, the Redemptorists apply themselves to the achievement of this gospel goal. In reality this demands a serious commitment of resources and energy to a varied and diverse number of ministries. Our congregation exists because of this belief, and has survived to this day because we believe it passionately.
You may contact us if you feel being called to this way of life. To apply, one must have at least SHS certificate with minimum grade of C6 in English, Maths, Science and any three electives. Must not be more than 25 years for undergraduate applicants. Our formation houses in Ghana can be located at Sokode Eto, via Ho in the Volt Region (Scala House Community) or Kubease via Kumasi in the Ejisu Municipality, Ashanti Region. The Vocation’s Animator, Redemptorist missionaries, P. O. Box 1003, Ho, VR.
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THE FOYER DE CHARITE, CHRIST THE KING OF PEACE COMMUNITY IN GHANA
Location: The Christ the King of Peace Community of the FOYER DE CHARITE is located near Abehenease, two kilometers off-road from the Township right above the Tsatsadu Waterfall. Ecclesiastically, the Foyer is in the Catholic Diocese of Ho. Traditionally, Abehenease is part of the Alavanyo Paramountcy. Administratively, the Foyer is within the Hohoe Municipality, 15 kilometers away. It is 25 kilometers away from the Municipality of Kpando, thus in the Volta Region of Ghana. The Region shares borders with the Republic of Togo and so makes the Foyer in Ghana the closest in distance from the Foyer of Aledjo, Togo (the first in Africa). From Accra, the national capital, the Foyer is 225 kilometers and it takes approximately four hours of normal drive to get here. The Foyer itself lies “hidden” between two hills: the “Deo Gratias” Hill [or “Akpe Na Mawu” To], to the East, upon which a Cross is planted and the “God Sees” Hill [or “Mawu le Ekpom” To] to the West.
IDENTITY OF THE FOYERS DE CHARITÉ
The Work of the Foyers de Charité is an International Private Association of the Faithful, under the Authority of the Holy See, endowed with the Legal Personality defined by Canon Law, whose Registered Office is located at 85 rue Geoffroy de Moirans, 26330 Châteauneuf-de-Galaure in France.
The Foyers de Charité are Communities of baptized persons – priests and lay men and women – who, in response to the call of the Lord to commit their lives to the service of evangelization, share their spiritual, intellectual and material possessions like the first Christians, (Acts of the Apostles 2 & 4).
In living out the same commitment, each in their specific mission, the priests and laity work together with the Blessed Virgin Mary to promote the Family of God on earth. Constantly striving to promote charity among themselves, they bear witness to Light, Charity and Love by their life of Prayer and Work, according to the great Message of Christ, who is Priest, Prophet and King.
ASSOCIATION OF THE FAITHFUL
Associations of the faithful are different from Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
According to the Law of the Catholic Church, an Association of the faithful (called "pious union" before 1983, under the Code of Canon Law of 1917) is a group of Catholics (Lay People or Clerics, or Clerics and Laity together) who work together to promote a more perfect life, promote public worship or Christian doctrine, or exercise an apostolate (e.g. evangelization, works of piety or charity) and coordinate the temporal order in a Christian spirit.
They are established by the competent authority of the Church, i.e. the Bishop (Diocesan Associations), Conference of Bishops (National Associations) or the Holy See (International Associations).
Depending on the goals pursued, an association of the faithful can be established as a public or private legal entity. They could be Public or Private Associations.
Private associations, such as the WORK of the Foyer de Charité are run by the Faithful in accordance with the provisions of their Statutes. As a result, they benefit from a certain independence. Associations of the Faithful are governed by their own Canonical Statutes, which can be expanded on in their Customary Rules or Internal Regulations.
THE FOYER DE CHARITE CHRIST THE KING OF PEACE COMMUNITY IN GHANA
Was founded in March 1995 with the Nomination and sending on Mission on the 21st Day of March, of the First Foyer Father, then Reverend Father Gregory Cudjoe Daniels-Akata.
The Foyer was temporarily housed at the Former Residence of the Diocesan Bishop in Kpando, on the Bishop Herman College Compound.
The initiative to invite the Foyer de Charité Community to Ghana was taken by the then Bishop of the Keta-Ho Diocese, Most Rev. Francis Anani Kofi Lodonu in 1989. He needed to appoint one of his priest to be formed and trained for this Work. This choice fell on Fr. Gregory who then was a Tutor in the Saint Mary Minor Seminary and Secondary School in Lolobi. With time, the young priest had to be released for formation and further theological and spiritual studies in preparation for the mission ahead. Once done with his studies, and with the positive discernment of his vocation to the Foyer, he had to be Canonically Detached from the then Keta-Ho Diocese to the WORK of the Foyers de Charité. This done, Fr. Gregory was sent on Mission to start the Foyer de Charité Community in Ghana.
Today, the Foyer Community is settled on their own premises above the Tsatsadu Waterfalls, near Abehenease Alavanyo. There are seven Lay Sisters who live their Baptismal Consecration with the founding Father all as “priest, prophets and kings” with a daily renewal of their Commitment.
The Foyers have the primary vocation of welcoming people of all walks of life to live and share daily, weekend or weekly programmes with them. These are the Retreats that have concrete and well-season Christian [Catholic] Teachings on Faith and Scripture. In fact, the Foyer Retreats are a “panorama” of faith.
Again today, the Foyer de Charité Community is much encouraged and supported by the Bishop of the Ho Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD, the Clergy, the Consecrated Men and Women and the Lay Faithful. We grow also by the prayers of our numerous friends, past and present retreatants, visitors, pilgrims from all walks of Life. We still need your prayers and support in diverse ways.
How does one join the Foyer de Charité Community…: Here is a simple Procedure”
- Come “just as you are” to follow a week of retreat and then stay over for an extra week to share Community Life with the Sisters and the Father
- State your intention of wanting to join the Foyer Community as a Lay person because you sense the calling to this Life-Style
- It takes a series of stays spread over a year: the “Come and See” Year of Experience for a good initial discernment
- If one is in school, the one is encouraged to finish up at least the second cycle of education with qualifying grades
- While in School, stays during the holidays are required
- Once one leaves school, be it at the secondary or tertiary level, the Come and See year begins
- At the end of this year, the person desirous of continuing to stay and have further experience of the Foyer life writes an application in this regard. A positive discernment made, the one may stay on for two to four more years while formation goes on with yearly evaluation on the Spiritual, Intellectual and Material Progress and Growth of the Candidate toward adult Christian Maturity in Community Living
- The Work of the Foyer being International, formation and training could be continued in other Communities of the Foyer in the sub-region, the continent or elsewhere.
- Normally, it takes at least three to five years of Formation and Training to arrive at a public Commitment of the daily lived Consecration to be Obedient, Poor, Chaste and Stable in the chosen Community of the Foyer.
In respect of the injunction of the Lord and Master Jesus Christ in Luke 10:2, we pray the Lord of the Harvest, to touch the hearts of the many searching souls: young women especially, and men, to generously respond to their calling to join us. There is JOY in Family Life, for where two or three gather in the Name of the Lord, it is there that the Blessing of the Lord dwells! Psalm 133
CONTACT US:
Phone: [Through calls, text messages and WhatsApp] on any of the following numbers:
0244221094 / 0208129775 / 0208163260/ 0208162862/ 0208162863/ 0504539047/ and also through phone call only 0249032732
You can write to us through electronic mail [email]
