A Host-Baking Machine for Benedictine Sisters in Nigeria

The Benedictine life is flourishing in the Abbey of Saint Scholastica in Umoji in southwest  Nigeria. There are already 114 Sisters here following the Rule of Saint Benedict, and vocations continue to be plentiful. 

The Sisters live according to the renowned Benedictine principle of “Ora et labora”—“Pray and work” —and support themselves by the work of their own hands. Their most important source of income is from baking hosts for the Eucharist. This activity is ideally suited to the contemplative life, and it provides an important service to the local Church, since the Eucharist is the source and center of the life of the Church. 

In the Archdiocese of Onitsa alone—where the convent is located—there are over two million Catholics, and the great majority of them actively participate in the life of the Church. As a result, the need for hosts is very great. Until now, the convent only possessed old equipment which did not always work properly, making their work much more difficult. It took a team of 20 Sisters to struggle to produce enough hosts, and they were often forced to miss their mealtimes and even the Divine Office, since there was no other way to keep up with the work.

Fortunately, thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, we were able to contribute $21,900 to help the Sisters purchase a brand-new machine, which enables the work to be done much more quickly, easily and efficiently. 

Their abbess, Mother Mary Ruphina Chukwuka, wrote to thank us: “The Sisters were delighted to get the new equipment, and we thank God for your great friendship and kindness towards us. Since it arrived, this machine has become our main source of income, especially since the coronavirus pandemic.”

“During the pandemic things were very difficult, above all when combined with the difficult situation in our country Nigeria, and in the world generally. Your immense contribution has helped us greatly.” 

We pass on her thanks to you and say, “May God reward you all!” 

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Code: 141-06-39