History of
The Daughters of Charity

History

The Unfolding Story of the Nigerian Province

The invitation to follow the gospel vision of St. Vincent and Louise echoed in Nigeria in 1963 when three missionary Sisters (Daughters of Charity) from the Province of Great Britain came to settle in Uyo, Akwa- Ibom State at the request of Bishop Moynagh SPS, who was then, the Catholic Bishop of Calabar.

The three Sisters began their ministry by visiting the people in the neighborhood sharing their lives and their struggles. As they did, they noticed the poverty experienced by women in the area and so engaged in the education of young girls in Secretarial studies, Home economics and Home management. That initiative is still alive in the present Adiaha Obong Girls Secondary School, Uyo today.

On 15th March 1974 the first Nigerian girls who felt called to share in the charism of St. Vincent and St. Louise were incorporated into the group. Since then, the Daughters of Charity have continued to grow and spread throughout Nigeria. Today, there are 150 Nigerian Daughters of Charity serving the people who are poor in 24 locations in 10 states of Nigeria including Abuja, ( 12 dioceses).

The Daughters of Charity in Nigeria became a region under the Province of Ireland on the 25th April 1976. In September 1993 it rose to the status of a Vice Province and since 1st February 2001 it has the Status of a Province. The Province of Nigeria is made up of Nigeria, Ghana and Burkina Faso. Currently, there are 162 indigenous sisters serving the poor in 29 locations in 16 Dioceses – three dioceses in Ghana, one in Burkina Faso and 12 in Nigeria.