OUR STORY
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WITNESSING MEMBERS
How an Institute of Consecrated Life was born in the Catholic Diocese of Uyo.
- Inaugurated
- 30 January 2011
- Where
- Anua Offot, Uyo
- Founders
- Bishop Ekuwem & Fr. Akpan
- Patron
- The Holy Family
ORIGIN
FOUNDED IN UYO, ON THE 30TH OF JANUARY 2011
The Witnessing Members of the Holy Family (WMHF) is an Institute of Consecrated Life, founded by His Grace Most Rev. Joseph Effiong Ekuwem, the then Bishop of Uyo Diocese and now the Metropolitan Archbishop of Calabar, with Very Rev. Fr. Martin Usenobong Akpan, of blessed memory, as co-founder.
The Institute was officially inaugurated on Sunday, 30th January 2011, at the former MMM convent chapel in St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua Offot, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State: a quiet beginning for a work that was meant to reach far beyond its walls.
The founder drew his inspiration from the example of the early Catholic missionary priests, sisters and lay faithful who renounced “all” to embrace “all” for the sake of the Gospel. These missionaries were willing to be engaged in mission and service in many different ways. They did not confine their activities to the inside of the church: they broke new ground and took the Gospel to places where Jesus was not known.
“For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things… in order that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8
THE JOURNEY
THREE STEPS OF A CALLING
- 1
A call from childhood
Even as a little boy, Joseph Effiong Ekuwem of Affi Uda, in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was moved by a deep conviction: that great sacrifices must be made so that the Gospel and the Word of God might be carried beyond the pulpit to the places where people live their everyday lives.
- 2
The example of the missionaries
He drew his inspiration from the early Catholic missionary priests, sisters and lay faithful who renounced “all” to embrace “all” for the sake of the Gospel. They served in many different ways, never confining themselves to the inside of the church. They broke new ground and took the Good News to places where Jesus was not yet known.
- 3
A new Institute is born
On Sunday, 30th January 2011, the Witnessing Members of the Holy Family was officially inaugurated at the former MMM convent chapel in St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua Offot, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with His Grace Most Rev. Joseph Effiong Ekuwem as founder and Very Rev. Fr. Martin Usenobong Akpan, of blessed memory, as co-founder.
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15
OUR MODEL AND PATRONAGE
THE HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH
The model and patron of our religious life is the Holy Family of Nazareth: a model of love, faith, obedience, absolute trust, humble service, compassion and understanding. From it we draw the spirit of our Institute, the deep love lived in the home of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
“In Love, With Love and For Love”
Our motto, as we strive to live in love, mutual respect, patience, forgiveness and sacrificial care for one another.