I. Historical Overview and Apostolate
The Daughters of Divine Love Congregation, a Pontifical and International order of religious women founded by Bishop Godfrey Mary Paul Okoye, CSSP, on July 6, 1969 in Nigeria, surfaced during the agonizing and ravaging Nigeria-Biafra war. The death of the founder, barely seven years after the founding of the Congregation, put its survival in question; however, the Congregation only continued to grow and thrive.
At the present time, more than 800 members have professed their vows. The Congregation, recognized by their blue habit and blue veil, serves in the following locations:
Africa: Cameroon, Gabon, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, "Sierra Leone", Tchad
Europe: England, Germany, Italy, Switzerland
Americas: Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, United States
The Congregation of The Daughters of Divine Love was founded amidst war conditions in 1969. As a new formed community, they moved from Ukpor to Ihiala (both in the Nnewi diocese of Anambra State) and to Isienu (in the Nsukka diocese in Unugu State). On November 4, 1973, a group of sixteen members made their vows as professed religious women.
In 1975, the Daughters were forced to move out of the borrowed accommodation used as Motherhouse at Isienu to a sisters' staff quarters at the Holy Rosary Teachers' College in Enugu diocese State. In 1979, a tornado struck the Aspirants' building at Abakpa Nike and in sympathy, the then Anambra State government donated two duplex apartment buildings in Trans Ekula to the congregation. With some adjustments, the Motherhouse was moved to these duplex buildings in 1980.
At this time, the number of sisters in the Congregation was under 100, all in temporary vows and serving in one country, Nigeria. Today, the professed sisters number about 800, ministering in 14 countries.
Reaching Out with Love
In keeping with the founder's vision, diverse apostolate of the Congregation provides services in every ministry where the manifestation of God's love is needed! Currently these ministries include:
Health Care
Ministry in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities as doctors and nurses/nurses' aids, administrators, receptionists, chaplains, and pharmacists
Rehabilitation
Teaching and care-giving, working especially with cocaine babies and individuals who are mentally and physically handicapped
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