What might it be like to live as a missionary sister? For four days in August, a group of young women from Ghana, Togo and the Republic of Benin had the opportunity to find out.
The Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary (MSHR), Ghana Region, under the leadership of Sr. Nkechi Caroline Oraebosi, hosted a Live-in, or “Come and See” Programme, from 10–13 August 2026 at the Holy Rosary Sisters Convent in Asikasu-Donkorkrom, Diocese of Donkorkrom, Eastern Region of Ghana.
The programme brought together Aspirants and Pre-candidates who are exploring their possible call to missionary religious life.
A Time to Learn and Discern
The Live-in offered the young women an opportunity to experience something of the life and mission of the Holy Rosary Sisters. Through talks and conversations with the Sisters, they learned about the history, vision, mission and values of the Congregation.
Other sessions explored topics relevant to their personal and spiritual growth, including gracious living, relationships, love and friendship, the qualities of a good Christian and Catholic young woman, anger, forgiveness and conflict management.
The programme also created space for prayer and reflection. Participants joined the Sisters for community prayer and daily Mass, spent time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and engaged in spiritual reading.
Rev. Fr. Solomon Gbeglo, Assistant Administrator of St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Donkorkrom, celebrated the daily Masses. In his homilies, he encouraged the young women to make the most of the opportunity, allowing themselves time for quiet and meditation so that they could listen for God’s voice and discern where He might be leading them.
Celebrating Different Cultures
The programme was not all talks and prayer. There was also plenty of time for fun, friendship and celebration.
During Cultural Night, the young women shared dances from their different cultures, celebrating the rich diversity among them. Dances included the Adowa, Borborbor, Agbadja and Bawaah from different parts of Ghana, as well as the Kamou from Togo and Koithesi from the Republic of Benin.
The excitement grew when Sr. Joy Abuh joined in with her own Igala cultural dance from Nigeria.
The evening offered more than entertainment. It was a reminder that different cultures can come together, learn from one another and enrich community life.
Participants also enjoyed a movie night and a visit to the Holy Rosary Poultry Farm, where they had the opportunity to experience the simple but practical work of collecting eggs.
Learning About the Journey
For those discerning a vocation with MSHR, the Live-in forms part of a wider journey of accompaniment and formation.
The Aspirancy stage lasts for at least one year and gives a young woman who feels called to missionary life an opportunity to explore that call while remaining connected with her family and community.
The Pre-candidacy stage, also lasting at least one year, offers further preparation and exposure to life beyond secondary school. During this time, the young woman gains work experience and visits an MSHR community regularly, sharing in the life of the Sisters.
The Live-in therefore provides a valuable opportunity to meet the Sisters, ask questions, experience community life and take time to discern.
A Journey Shared
The programme was also enriched by the presence of Sr. Ekwutosi Onyeke, MSHR, a long-serving Vocation Directress and newly appointed Regional Leader of MSHR, Southern Nigeria. Having been in Donkorkrom at the beginning of the programme, she gave the first talk to the participants.
At the end of the four days, the young women expressed their satisfaction with the programme and spoke of how much they had learned. They also expressed their hope for more opportunities of this kind.
The “Come and See” programme offered more than information about religious life. It gave young women space to pray, ask questions, build friendships, experience community, celebrate their cultures and listen more closely to God’s call.
For those who may be discerning a missionary vocation, sometimes the first step is simply to come, see and listen.
Written by Sr Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR
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