Handmaid of the Holy Child Jesus
Handmaid of the Holy Child Jesus – Sister Elizabeth Alexandra of Our Lady’s Birth, H.H.C.J. † The first indigenous (native) Sisterhood in Nigeria and in all West Africa † Ecce Ancilla Domini “Behold, I am the Handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to Your word.” “Love and Service”
Foundress: Servant of God, Mother Mary Charles Magdalen Walker, R.S.C.
Place: Calabar, Nigeria, West Africa
Year: January 15, 1931 A.D.
Her Charism: Faithful to Gospel values and attentive to the signs of the times, this Sister commits herself to the transformation of lives through her prophetic witness of a vowed life, community living, participatory leadership, the wearing of a holy habit, and apostolic ministry with a special option for the poor, women and children. Her purpose is to promote the glory of God, make Christ better known and loved, and strive for personal sanctity and perfection and the salvation of souls. As a member of an international and missionary Congregation, her role is to be both catechist and apostle. Inspired by the charism of “all-embracing charity” this Sister willingly goes forth with the Blood of Christ surging through her to manifest God’s love for all humanity. She stands ready and willing to go forth even “to the ends of the earth” to accomplish this. Her consecrated life is fostered and strengthened by the Eucharist, prayer, and penance. The model of her consecrated life is the Blessed Virgin Mary, her inseparable companion, who first declared: “I am the Handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to Your word.” (Luke 1:38) In her she finds deep faith, humility, zeal, absolute trust in Divine Providence, and a delicate, tender, attentive service to others. From Mary, she draws the spirit of “all-embracing charity” manifesting itself in the motto of the Congregation: “Love and Service.” Like her foundress, this Sister lives out the preaching of “being all things to all people” and engages in diverse ministries designed to uplift the standard of life of the people she serves. Through the values of simplicity, commitment, respect, justice, loyalty, unity, humility, and generosity all bound up in love and service, she comes prepared to help in the work of Evangelization. Through education she shares in the teaching ministry of Christ by offering literacy and vocational training and by catechizing and giving moral instruction to and inculcating sound religious discipline in her students with love and dedication. She has a particular affection for the children who are the future of the Church in Africa. Through medical services, this Handmaid participates in Christ’s healing ministry by serving the poor, under-privileged, sick and suffering, mentally ill, unwanted babies, orphans, and single parents with dignity, love, and compassion without discrimination. She is certainly no stranger to prisons, soup kitchens, hospice, and the homeless and hungry in the streets. Every action for her is a prayer. Like Mary, her soul is like a lake fed by hidden springs; the surface remains still and unruffled. “Mission” is where the Lord sends her, needs her, and sanctifies her. “Mission” is doing God’s Will, (the shortcut to holiness) reaffirming her personal fiat: “Behold, I am the Handmaid of the Lord.” It is this mental attitude that allows and summons her to say with all her heart: “Among the songs of angels, Mary is listening to the whispered prayers of the least of her children.”