BRIEF HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF MADONNA HOUSE APOSTOLATE IN HO DIOCESE.
At the invitation of Bishop Francis Lodonu, Madonna House Ho opened on June 25th 1990. Madonna House Apostolate is an Ecclesial Community composed of consecrated laymen, lay women and priests, bound together by a common commitment to create a community / family of love. We take as our model the Holy Family of Nazareth, living in simplicity a hidden life. As members of Madonna House, we consecrate ourselves through promises of poverty chastity and obedience.
Bishop Lodonu has called us to be a house of prayer evangelizing through means of service, friendship and simple hospitality. We serve as a center for the formation of the laity, in that we welcome anyone, 18 years or older, who wishes to participate in our family life for a given length of time, for the specific purpose of being formed by the Gospel, as connected to daily life. We provide places for people to come and pray in solitude for a period of 6, 12 or 24 hours, which we call ‘poustinia’ (a Russian word meaning ‘desert’).
Poustinia is a place for fasting, scripture and intercessory prayer. A recent development is that some priests, religious and laity are coming for a time of retreat, under the direction of a Madonna House priest.
We also offer an Associate program for diocesan clergy who are interested in embracing our Madonna House spirituality, living it out as Associate members within their home dioceses.
Associate members: Most Rev. F.A.K. Lodonu, Rev. Frs. Walter Agbetoh, Francis Azah, Patrick Allalah and Rev. Frs. Of blessed memory: Andrew Dzeble and Richard Adofoli. Other Associate members are: Rev. Msgr. Joseph Kpeglo (of blessed memory) and Fr. John Odzangba all of Keta – Akatsi Diocese.
