Widows and widowers abound in every community we find ourselves. We find them in our Churches, in our communities, and even at our workplaces.
In this short write-up, my focus is more on the widows, for they are more vulnerable due to the dehumanizing treatments they are subjected to after the loss of their husbands.
My apostolate has been teaching and in the various schools I have worked I encountered orphans. Their helpless conditions moved me with Compassion and l asked questions which later took me to their homes.
Frequent visitation is done by me to these homes as well as the homes of widows I meet in Church. I prayed with them, encouraged them. They confined in me as l win their trust. They see me as a ray of hope in their trying moments.
Encouraging some affluent personalities to assist them would go a long way to alleviate a state of destitution. While I am more into the spiritual aspect and counselling, which are very vital, as fear is injected into them by families of the deceased husband, eg, making them believe that the ghost of their husband could harm or kill them. I encourage some teachers on my staff who I know could understand the situation to help these helpless and vulnerable widows.
It is imperative to state that two of such vulnerable widows converted to Catholicism without compulsion.
By Sr. Victorine A. A. Dorkenoo, SMMC//sistercommunicatorsgh.com
