Living out our spirituality
Our Spirituality is Eucharistic. We share thus the sentiments of Christ when He gave us the Eucharist (Eucharistia meaning thanksgiving). The spirit of thanksgiving to God therefore permeates our daily living. This we try to make concrete in our day-to-day living by bearing witness to the Eucharistic Lord who in all things gave thanks.

We, as a result, model our lives after the special characteristics of Christ – simplicity, total self-surrender, self-forgetfulness, self-immolation, self-transcendence, sacrifice, service to our neighbour, etc. A deep love for the Heart of Christ is the stirring force in our lives. Like Jesus, Who in all things gave thanks to God His father, and in union with our Founder’s mind, we the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus live our lives bearing witness to the Eucharistic Lord in love and thanksgiving.

Women of courage – Witnesses to the Eucharistic love of Jesus Jesus having just completed the Passover meal with his disciples proceeded immediately to Gethsemane to actualize his act of self-giving, showing us by his example that love must be backed by actions. To the consternation of the Apostles, he gave himself up to arrest. He rebuked Peter who came to his defense, “Am I not going to drink the cup given me by my father” (Jn 18:6-11; Mt 26-28). He surrendered totally to suffering and an excruciating death on a cross. What a cry that must have been for Jesus: “It is finished.”

No wonder the paschal mystery of Jesus is seen as the source and summit of our faith. What a remarkable blessing that was, when Archbishop Leo Taylor, in founding a new Congregation in 1943 named it after “The Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.” It is so true that there is something in a name. In embracing a name, lies the call to enter into its depth, and spirit. No wonder words and images such as – praise, thanksgiving, Eucharistic love in action, sacrifice, reparation, consolation, adoration, bread, broken, shared, consumed, presence, loving sacrifice of God and neighbour, reverberate in “the books” and life of the Sisters of Eucharistic Heart of Jesus. “Eucharistic Love in Action” among others, surmise for us the challenge to live out the Eucharistic spirituality in the concrete. “Love” goes beyond feelings but what Pope Benedict XVI in Deus Caritas Est, described as agape “no longer is it self-seeking, a sinking in the intoxication of happiness . . . it becomes renunciation and it is ready to and even willing for sacrifice” (no. 6). Sacrifice purifies the heart for love and thanksgiving. “Thanksgiving” (Eucharistia) becomes more than words but a cup of salvation raised in praise of the name of the Lord. The mystery of the cross is central to the Eucharistic spirituality, “if we do not find the cross, the cross will find us.”

A self-sacrificing love impels those who love into action. In the words of Pope Benedict XVI, “But if in my life I fail completely to heed others, solely out of a desire to be “devout” and to perform “my religious duties” then my relationship with God will also grow arid. It becomes merely proper but loveless.” For him the saints constantly renewed heir capacity for love of neighbour from the encounter with the Eucharistic Lord (Deus Caritas Est, no. 18).

The Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus are women of courage for daring to accept the challenge to witness to the eschatological presence of the Lord among us in the Eucharist. This challenge can only be sustained by a continual contemplation of their beloved Lord. As we enter another stage in our life as a Congregation let us do so with enthusiasm and renewed resolve to be the bread broken for the life of the world.

Adoration: The chief distinguishing trait of our Congregation is the spirit of reparation. Each Sister of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus is to spend at least two hours before the Blessed Sacrament every day – one hour in common and the other hour rivately. This time is a period of profound union with God in prayer.

Holy Mass: Daily participation at the sacrifice of the Holy Mass is a must for every Sister of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus. Addressing our Sisters our Founder said: “It must be something exceptional that deprived you of Mass even one day” (Founder’s letter, 1947).

Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary: Pope John Paul II, in one of his messages to Consecrated persons said that Mary is the first consecrated person. And so he urged Consecrated Women and Men to take her as their model in many regard. We, Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, cultivate a sincere and an affectionate devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary; we continuously ask her to intercede for us and help us to be faithful to our religious commitment.

Our Heritage
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus was founded in 1943 by late Archbishop Leo Hale Taylor of the Society of African Missions. He was born in 1889 in the Diocese of Duluth U.S.A. He was received into the Society of African Missions in October 1911 and ordained to the Priesthood on 21st of June 1912. After the Great world war he was transferred to Nigeria and in 1934 was appointed Bishop of the Vicariate Apostolic of Bight of Benin and later transferred to Lagos after the death of Bishop Francis O’Rourka S.M.A. in 1938. From 1940 until his retirement in 1965 he was in charge of the Archdiocese of Lagos.

In 1940 providence brought to the Coast of West Africa, Cardinal Riberi as Papal Delegate to the British East and West African Colonies. In that capacity he visited Lagos and was quick to notice the absence of African girls in the rank and file of the religious and stressed the tremendous need for African Sisters in Nigeria. Archbishop Leo Hale Taylor took up the challenge and in 1943 founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus. The Congregation started at Abeokuta with five Postulants, having as its first Novice Mistress and Superior General the late Rev. Mother Enda Barrett O.L.A. Later in 1946 the Congregation moved its Novitiate and Mother House to Ibonwon. 

The Congregation was successfully ruled by Rev. Superior General Berardin, Eli, Patrick, Benedict and Columcile – all Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles Congregation. The Founder’s “whole purpose for founding the Congregation is to have educated African Sisters that must stand by its Constitutions”. He believed firmly that the Congregation thus founded will be ‘a great missionary power’. The founder was quite insistent on the observation of very strict religious exercises. Emphatically he maintained that although there are great needs for the performance of the works of mercy and charity, the sisters were not founded chiefly to supply these needs.
Realizing that they will not be able to perform their duties properly without thorough training he insisted on their being properly trained in the understanding and practice of the religious life. They are chiefly to exercise the virtues of religion and to do good in so far as this helps them to be holy. (Ref. Founder’s Letter to Rev. Mother Berardin – 19th of January 1947 and to Rev. Patrick 29th of January 1957).

Above all Archbishop affirmed that a true Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Sister’s life must be centered on the daily celebration of the Eucharist.

Life together is both a gift and a grace. As Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, we are united by one love: our Eucharistic Lord.

Rooted in Love, Guided by Wisdom
Community living is beautiful, and it is also demanding. Our Constitution gives us clear principles and practices for healthy, joyful life together. Each Sister takes personal responsibility to help our communities flourish.

The Heart of Our Sisterhood
Our shared love for the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus forges a deep bond among us — a fraternal friendship marked by simplicity and loyalty. In our convents we:

• Share daily life: Meals, laughter, and the joys and challenges of our apostolates

• Pray together: Beyond personal prayer, our Constitution calls us to common prayer that strengthens and unites us

• Listen deeply: To one another, and to all who come to us.

Recreation
In the life of a Sister of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, every moment is a gift. When we are not at prayer, in apostolate, or at rest, we enter into recreation with the same intentionality we bring to all things.

Daily Joy Together
Each day we set aside time for recreation after our apostolic work. This is not “time off,” but time given — to laughter, to friendship, to building community.

The Grace of the Table
Mealtimes are sacred to us. Around the table we gather as family. Here, consciously and unconsciously, we make ourselves present to one another. Our Sisters truly look forward to these moments of shared nourishment and joy.

Celebrating One Another
Feast days and birthdays are occasions of special joy. To celebrate a Sister’s day is a natural expression of love among us — simple gestures that strengthen the bonds of our fraternal charity.

Who We Are
We are African women consecrated to the Holy Eucharist. Our devotion does not end at the altar — we translate love into action, empowering others to know and share the love of God.

Our Mission
With missionary hearts, we dedicate ourselves to the service of humanity through sacrifice, joy, and presence. We listen for the new needs within the Church and respond — bringing the Word of God to all we meet.

Our Life Together
Community is our strength. Living in common, we support one another in every season — sharing joys, carrying sorrows, and growing together in holiness. We choose simplicity, managing our resources responsibly and transparently to faithfully serve our mission.

Our Commitments

• Radical Welcome: Our houses and apostolates are places of acceptance. Every person is valued, regardless of tribe, race, religion, or status.

• Collaboration: We serve alongside the laity, clergy, and partners who share our vision for human flourishing.

• Empowerment through Education: We believe education unlocks dignity. We are committed to quality service for all people.

• Justice & Respect: We uphold the dignity of every person, promoting justice and equality in all our ministries.

For the Greater Glory of God
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam — A.M.D.G.