The Daughters of Divine Love Congregation, a

Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

pontifical A pontifical ( la, pontificale) is a Christian liturgical book containing the liturgies that only a bishop may perform. Among the liturgies are those of the ordinal for the ordination and consecration of deacons, priests, and bishops to Holy ...

and international order of religious women was founded by Bishop Godfrey Mary Paul Okoye on July 16, 1969, in Nigeria, during the

Nigerian Civil War The Nigerian Civil War (6 July 1967 – 15 January 1970), also known as the Nigerian–Biafran War or the Biafran War, was a civil war fought between Nigeria and the Republic of Biafra, a secessionist state which had declared its independence ...

(Biafra War). The congregation has over 900 sisters ministering in 15 countries around the world. The members pronounce the public vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, and dedicate themselves to contemplation and apostolic work. The congregation, recognized by their blue veil, serves in the following countries: *Africa: Cameroon, Gabon, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Chad *Europe: England, Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium *Americas: Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, United States

Retreat houses and conference centers

In addition to their various other missionary activities and convents in 15 countries, the sisters operate a retreat house and conference center near Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, which has been used by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria for their meetings.

References

External links

Official website for the Daughters of Divine Love
Christian organizations established in 1969 Catholic Church in Nigeria Catholic religious institutes established in the 20th century {{RC-society-stub