<p>The Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Love celebrated her 25 years of missionary experience in Jamaica this April 2022. The celebration was good, full of excitement both for us Daughters witnessing in this great land and our visitors. The occasion was blessed with the presence of Archbishop Kenneth Richards, his predecessor Archbishop Charles Dufour, Bishop Burchell McPherson of Montego Bay diocese, Bishop John Persaud and representatives from our different churches, schools and host of friends. They were all entertained with music and dance. Our dear Regional Superior, Sr. M. Olivia Agbakoba and three other Sisters from the States graced the occasion with their presence.We immensely thank God for His steadfast love all these years.</p> <p><strong>Brief History of Daughter of Divine Love in Jamaica</strong></p> <p>Like the parabolic mustard of the gospel of Mark 4:30-32, the Daughters of Divine Love Jamaican community was officially planted in Jamaica on the 6th of February 1997.</p> <p>It was during the reign of Mother Maria Chilota Elochukwu as the Superior General, and through the instrumentality of Sr. Mary Paul Asoegwu as the Vicar General and the U.S Regional Superior. Archbishop Charles Dufour was the then Bishop of Montego Bay. The first missionaries of the DDL to arrive in Jamaica were Srs Victoria Oleka (as the Local Superior), Izuchukwu Nwora, Margaret Okoliozor and Providencia Uchenna. When the Sisters arrived in Kingston, they were received by Sr. Mary Olive of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help of Jamaica. (Blue Sisters) welcomed them in their Community and they spent a few days with them before going to the Diocese of Montego Bay.</p> <p>This mustard seed was planted at St Joseph Catholic Church Savanna La Mar. The then Parish Priest was Rev. Fr. Sean Lavery of blessed memory, a Colombian Priest.</p> <p><strong>The main apostolate of the Sisters was mainly Pastoral, and they are as follows: </strong></p> <ul> <li>Home visitation</li> <li>Catechesis</li> <li>Extraordinary Ministers</li> <li>Youth Ministry</li> <li>Taking care of the poor, the sick and the aged</li> <li>Counseling and Marriage instruction</li> <li>Hospital visitation</li> <li>Organizing summer camp for the youths</li> <li>Moral instruction and Devotion in Schools. <p>The Sisters worked in two teams like the disciples in (Mt. 4:18-22, Lk. 5:1-11, Mk.6:7-13) the eight missions in Westmoreland. Srs. Izuchukwu and Victoria worked in Mary Gate of Heaven Negril, St. Julie Billart Orange Hill, St Mary Revival and St Luke Little London. While Srs. Providentia and Margaret worked at Sacred Heart SeaFord Town, St Mary Cambridge, St. John the Baptist Darliston and St. Mark Grange Hill. The other six churches were in existence before the Sisters arrived in Jamaica. St Luke Little London and St. Mark Grange Hill were started by the DDL Sisters. There was no Catholic Church in Grange Hill and Little London before the Sisters came to Westmoreland.</p> <p>After three years, Srs. Izuchukwu and Margaret left for good. Then Sr. Petronilla Ibeziakor joined Srs. Providentia and Victoria. Sr. Petronilla left after three years because of ill health. Then Sr. Doris Enekwemchi joined the Sisters.</p> <p>&ldquo;But when it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.&rdquo; Mk. 4:32</p> <p>After nine years of Ministry in the Diocese of Montego Bay, the late Archbishop Lawrence Burke of the Archdiocese of Kingston needed the presence of the DDL Sisters in the Catholic Schools owned by the Archdiocese; he therefore collaborated with the late Monsignor Richard Albert who invited the DDL Sisters to work in the Archdiocese of Kingston. On the 12th of September 2006, three Sisters namely, Sr. Doris Osondu, Sr. Louis Therese Njoku and Sr.Vivian Akaenyi arrived at Spanish Town St Catherine.</p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>They were engaged in the following schools. </strong></p> <ul> <li>St. Catherine Primary</li> <li>St John Primary</li> <li>St Catherine Prep/Primary</li> <li>St Catherine High.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After three years, Sr. Louis Therese was reposted to Montego Bay Diocese and Sr. Doris Enekwemchi went to the Archdiocese of Kingston.</p> <p>The current Bishop of Montego Bay, Bishop Burchell McPherson later requested for the Sisters to minister in the Parish of St. Ignatius Browns Town, St. Ann. On the 17th of April 2015, Srs. Agatha Ezeogwu and Joan Nwoko arrived at St Ignatius Browns Town. Other Sisters that worked in St Ignatius Browns Town included Srs. Doris Enekwemchi, Simone Marriott, Louis Therese and Agnes Ononiba, before it was finally closed on the 15th of September 2020.</p> <p>Then Srs. Louis Therese Njoku and Agnes Ononiba eventually joined Sr. Providentia Uchenna in Westmoreland after Sr. Chisobem Iloegbunam was transferred to Cuba.</p> <p>Presently, &nbsp;Srs. Providentia, Louis Therese and Agnes are ministering in the following churches:</p> <p>Mary Gate of Heaven Negril, St Luke Little London, St. Mary Revival, St. Julie Billart Orange Hill, St. Joseph Savanna La Mar, and St. Mark Grange Hill.</p> <p>As the Mustard tree grows, more birds keep building nest on it, at the request of Archbishop Kenneth Richards DD. Sr. M. Eugenia Anuama, and Sr. M. Oluchi Ogbuehi joined the Sisters working at the Archdiocese of Kingston. They arrived on the 20th of November, 2021.</p> <p>Sr. M. Doris Osondu, Zonal Leader.</p> </li> </ul>