Nigeria Papers
1932 - 1967
Typescript of collated letters: Mother Mary Laurentia Dalton and Mother Edith Rudwick
1932
These typescripts are the only surviving copy of some of the earliest correspondence from the SHCJ in Nigeria. They are a valuable source of information regarding how the SHCJ’s presence in Nigeria began as well as the sisters’ interactions with the people of Calabar and other communities in Southern Nigeria. Mother Edith describes the difficult work of caring for fragile infants in the nursery and Mother Mary Laurentia recalls the resilient and faithful people of Ikot Efana who continued religious instruction despite having no catechist. One man, despite struggling with a terminal condition was ‘more than grateful for a rosary and a little crucifix.’ M.M. Laurentia was clearly moved by his attitude: she found that ‘his peace and cheerfulness were a real lesson.’
Letter from Mother Mary St Henry Parker to her parents
24th May 1942
Mother Mary St Henry Parker's letter simultaneously gives us a sense of the life of the SHCJ community in Ifuho, Ikot Ekpene and the impact of the war upon sisters living far from their families and the rest of the SHCJ when letters would take months to arrive. She comments on a family friend's injuries and the SHCJ community in Rome while also describing work done by the girls of the vocational school to make marmalade for soldiers and remarks 'since we live in luxury as compared with you, we are trying to do our bit'. M.M. St Henry notes the arrival of the rainy season 'with a vengeance but the ducks like it.' She believes her father would like Africa 'because it is no hotter than the Park Bakery' and assures him that he shall have a pennyworth of oranges and a halfpenny worth of bananas and pineapple 'when he arrives'.
Cover of 'The Pylon' Magazine
1946
'The Pylon' was a magazine created to provide news of the SHCJ's work teaching, establishing schools and colleges, providing health care, spiritual guidance and their other ministries in Nigeria and later Ghana. It was also used as a means to raise money to provide resources for the SHCJ schools and other SHCJ projects in West Africa. The cover artwork often featured dramatic and stylish designs such as this that appear to be inspired by Nigerian and Ghanaian art.
Letter from Sister Mary Ignatia HHCJ to Mother Edith
24th August 1952
This is a warm letter of thanks from Sister Mary Ignatia, one of the very first Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus, for a package sent to her by Mother Mary Edith [Rudwick]. She expresses her gratitude by stating she wishes ‘I had wings I would fly to see you in person in your convent.’ This image yet again shows us the hardship of maintaining bonds over long distances while Sr Ignatia holds on to fond memories of those who had played a role in her formation as a Catholic woman religious, such as M.M Edith. Sister Ignatia goes on to relate to M.M. Edith that she uses her Christmas cake recipe to make wedding cakes for those getting married and asks for advice to perfect her icing technique.
Letter from Mother Mary St Henry Parker sent during the Civil War of 1967 - 1970
27th October 1967
In her letter to Mother Marie Therese sent during the Civil War, M.M. St Henry describes a perilous escape from the South East as the boat she travelled in was fired at and ‘bullets went through the canoe in every place except where I was’. Once the attack stopped, M.M. St Henry noticed that the boat was drifting downstream and she found herself ‘all alone on the Cross River’. At that moment a voice reassured her “don’t worry Mother, I am here, I would not leave you”. This was one of the boat drivers calling from the water, he had gone over board to avoid gunfire but held fast to the canoe. The man jumped back in the boat, stopped up bullet holes, started the engine and steered the boat to deliver M.M. St Henry back to shore.