Little Eden’s convent comes to life
Little Eden’s communications officer, Ms Nichollette Muthige, said the Sisters of the Imitation of Christ from India, who serve at Little Eden, will live in the house.
The building formerly used by the founders of Little Eden, Danny and Domitilla Hyams from 1956, was recently converted into a convent.
The Most Reverend Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg, blessed it as the new Little Eden Convent, also known as Domus Our Lady Mother of All Children.
Little Eden’s communications officer, Ms Nichollette Muthige, said the Sisters of the Imitation of Christ from India, who serve at Little Eden, will live in the house.
She added that currently there are six nuns who serve at the society.
“The building was recently acquired by the Little Eden Foundation and has been named Domus Our Lady Mother of all Children. It was at this same house that Domitilla had the apparition of Our Blessed Mother Mary in 1967, which set in motion a series of events that led to Little Eden becoming what it is today,” said Ms Muthige.
She added that Mother General, Sr Benjamin SIC and one of her Councillor’s Sr Thejus SIC from India, attended the event.
It was also special having Sr Benjamin and Rev Fr J Leathem OMI performing the Cutting of the Ribbon ceremony.
The CEO of Little Eden, Mrs Lucy Slaviero, said this is will further the vision of Little Eden’s founders.
“Domitilla has always had an unfaltering faith in God and in His Divine Providence. She knew without a doubt what her calling in life was to be. Many years ago, she envisioned that one day Little Eden would welcome a Religious Order of Nuns to help continue the important work being carried out there daily. In January 2010, three Sisters of the Imitation of Christ of the Bethany Generalate, an order of Catholic nuns from India, arrived to commence their service at Little Eden. These women have joined the dedicated staff in being the hands of Jesus in caring for residents, always with the values of respect, sanctity of life and love and care. It was only fitting, once the Little Eden Foundation acquired this house for long term volunteers, that it be allocated as a convent for the Sisters,” said Mrs Slaviero.
She thanked donors from Holand, who wanted to be known only as Alexandra and Adeline, for their financial donation which led to the house being purchased.
For more information on Little Eden, visit www.littleeden.org.za
