About Holy Family Society
The Story
The Holy Family Society is a pious society founded on December 30, 2000, to spread the spirituality of the Holy Family of Nazareth in the lives of Christians and non-Christians alike as they strive daily emulate the virtues of humility, simplicity, patience, agape love, self-abandonment, prayerfulness, hard work, etc. These virtues exemplified greatly by Jesus, Mary and Joseph, directed their activities on the earth to be focused mainly on God’s will in their lives.
The Holy Family society was founded by Sir David E. Osunde, a Papal Knight (Knight of St. Sylvester) with a aim of making a family a Domestic Church, and returning families back to God. He was inspired by God through some episodes of events - from the inspiration received from Pope St John Paul II's 1981 Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, from his visit to the Sisters of the Congregation of Holy Family in New Orleans, from the Great Jubilee of Families celebration in Rome in the Year 2000, where Pope St. John Paul II also played a major role and the encouragement/approval by Most Rev. Dr. Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, the Archbishop of Benin City. From its humble beginnings at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, Benin City on December 30, 2000, the Society has spread to all the nine ecclesiastical provinces of Nigeria - with members in various parishes and seminaries.
The Holy Family Society is approved and supported by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) as one of the pillars in the Church to assist in sustaining the institution of marriage and family life, in accordance with the plan of God and the Church's teaching. The Society was introduced to the Diocese of Mamfe in Cameroon in 2013, and has members in some African countries as well as in Europe, America, Canada and the Bahamas.
After so much sacrifices and efforts in promoting the spirituality of the Holy Family as well as in caring for people with disabilities, as God willed, Sir David Osunde, (who was made a papal knight by St John Paul II in 1992), together with his beloved wife, Dame Mary Joan Osunde, who was also made a Papal Knight by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 (She was one of the first women in the world to be made a Papal Knight) were made members of the Pontifical Council for the Family by Pope Benedict XVI.
The Influence of St. John Paul II & The Approval of Archbishop P. Ekpu
How The Fires for The Holy Family Society were Ignited
The post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Familiaris Consortio written in 1981 by Pope St. John Paul II, created a great inspiration for the Founder of the Holy Family Society, Sir David E. Osunde. For many years, he was drawn to the idea of having a Christian family spirituality, that would be highly beneficial and adaptable to families in the contemporary world. However, it was during the Jubilee Year 2000 when the Great Jubilee of Families was held that the idea fully took shape. St John Paul II’s opening remarks at the event and the commencement homily of the great pope-saint ignited the flames in the heart of Sir David to begin a new family apostolate, anchored on the cherished ideals of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph – the Holy family of Nazareth. After the Pope’s homily, there was a heavy downpour, and the clarity of the message increased in the mind of Sir David, that he needed to perform the tasks earlier assigned to him by the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans, USA. As Sir David reflected on how to put into perspective all he had learned about the virtues of the Holy Family of Nazareth, he discussed with Rev. Fr. Victor Darlington. The priest advised him to buy some books and study more on the subject before presenting a proposal for the establishment of a pious society to His Grace, Most Rev Dr. Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, the Archbishop of Benin City, Nigeria.
After adequate study and consultations, Sir David presented the proposal to Archbishop Ekpu, who after studying it, was so delighted as such a timely pious society that would spiritually build, and fortify the family during the challenging times we find ourselves. He approved it and instructed that the inauguration of the Holy Family Society should take place in the Archdiocese of Benin City, as part of events to close the Jubilee Year. Consequently, on December 30, 2000, the Holy Family Society was inaugurated at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, Benin City. Like the proverbial mustard seed, from that parish, it has spread to all the nine ecclesiastical provinces of Nigeria (which comprises the 36 States of Nigeria), to parts of Africa, America, Canada, and Europe.
The Task from New Orleans
The Beginning
David Osunde's family an assignment to be executed in Africa. They told them
Returning Families to God
The Main Objectives of the Holy Family Society
RETURNING FAMILIES TO GOD: THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE HOLY FAMILY SOCIETY
We are quite appreciative of the fact that the spiritually-inspiring, family-oriented programmes and activities of the Holy Family Society are receiving the full support of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). The society also has the blessing of the CBCN to continue to carry out its inauguration programmes for newly enlisted members in all parishes and dioceses in the country.
As we continue to emphasize at different fora, the main objective of the Holy Family Society is to create a spiritual revolution in families with the sole purpose of returning those that have seemingly derailed or lost their focus back to God.
The society’s charism is derived from both its faithful undertaking to lean on Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the Holy Family of Nazareth, and the continued struggle of its members to put into practice the virtues of simplicity, humility, patience, obedience, agape love, self-abandonment, joyful celebration, hard work, self-less service, etc.
Those willing to learn more about the society can get more information from various sources, especially if they get themselves acquainted with a number of her spiritual tools, which include:
- Constitutions of the Holy Family Society;
- Spiritual Revolution in Families: The Mission and Goal of the Holy Family Society;
- New Family Prayer Book;
- Novena in Honour of the Holy Family;
- Holy Family Songs Book;
- Pregnancy, Naming Ceremony, and Family Spirituality.
- The Domestic Church and the New Evangelization.
- The Family as a Domestic Church: Experiences from the World Meeting of Families.
- The Domestic Church, the Way to Holiness and to a Holy Death.
- Winning God’s Favour through the Practice of St. Joseph’s Virtues.
- Family Spirituality: Securing Eternal Life through the Practice of St. Joseph’s Virtues.
- Family Spirituality: Effective Practice of the Virtues of St. Joseph.
The above spiritual tools can be purchased directly from the society. The principal aim of providing these spiritual tools is to have sustained spiritual growth of its members. Hence, this clarion call on those who desire to enroll with the society to indicate so by filing and returning the form below to our Coordinators in parishes, dioceses/ archdioceses, and/or direct to the Secretary, Holy Family Society, 25 Agadez Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja. Tel:08038588578, 08186882285; E-mail:hfsnationalsecretariat@yahoo.com, info@holyfamilysociety.org.ng
Our Mission
for mission
Since the family is the fundamental unit of society, our mission is to make every family a Domestic Church, for society and human civilization to survive and flourish, according to God's Plan.
Our Vision and Identity
Making Every Family A Domestic Church
- Enlightening people, from all works of life, about the virtues of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
- Encouraging them to emulate the Holy Family of Nazareth, by putting their virtues into practice.
- Encouraging everyone to set up a Domestic Church where everyone in the family can participate.
- Holy Family Society is about returning families to God.
- Encouraging families to adopt the practice of daily prayers as a unit.
Prayers serve as essential tools to link their families with the Holy Family effectively; prayers also help in a great way to convey gratitude, aspirations, anxieties, and fears to the Almighty God. Hence, the Holy Family Society has a lot of efficacious prayers that help its members commune with God.
Our Priests and Reverend Sister
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Fr. Christopher Obiagba SC
Fr Christopher works in the Archdiocese of Ibadan, Nigeria
Pontifical Council For The Family
The Pontifical Council For The Family was was established by Pope John Paul II on 9 May 1981 with his motu proprio Familia a Deo Instituta. The Council fostered "the pastoral care of families, protects their rights and dignity in the Church and in civil society, so that they may ever be more able to fulfill their duties." (Pastor Bonus 139)
Rev Fr Michael A. Adegbola
Fr Michael Adegbola is the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Kano, Nigeria
Dr. Anthony Osasumwen Osunde
Dr Anthony writes on our Catholic truths
Rev. Fr. Anthony Akinwale, OP
Fr Akinwale OP is a prominent theologian. He is a Professor of Systematic Theology, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos. He was also pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Dominican University, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Fr Amos Olenin
Fr Amos is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Uromi
Catechist Justine Cyprian Michael
Catechist Justine is the Diocesan Coordinator of the Holy Family Society in Ogoja Diocese, Nigeria
Rev. Fr. Michael Odubela, OSJ
Rev. Fr. Michael Odubela OSJ is a priest of the Oblates of St Joseph.
Dame Mary Joan Osunde
Lady Mary Joan Osunde is the wife of the Founder of the Holy Family Society, Sir David E. Osunde
Rev. Fr. Peter Schineller, SJ
Fr Peter Schineller, SJ is a priest of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) who taught theology for many years in many seminaries and universities in the United States of America. He worked as a missionary in Nigeria and other parts of Africa for 22 years. He is also a former associate editor of America, a Jesuit Review. He was the former Superior-General of the Nigeria-Ghana Jesuit Mission
Rev. Fr. Dr. Idahosa Amadasu
Fr. Idahosa Amadasu is a priest of the Archdiocese of Benin City
Rev. Fr. Thomas Oyode
Fr Thomas Oyode is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi.
Rev. Fr. Arinze Anyadike, SDV
Rev. Fr. Arinze Anyadike, SDV is a priest of the Society of Divine Vocations (Vocationist Fathers).
Pope Francis
Pope Francis is the 266th Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church
Sr. Mary Agatha Osarenkhoe, EHJ
Sr. Mary Agatha Osarenkhoe EHJ, was former Superior General of the Institute of the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.
Most Rev. Dr. Isaac Dugu
Most Rev. Dr. Isaac Dugu is the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-Ala, Nigeria.
Fr Roger Landry
Fr Roger Landry is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, National Chaplain of the Church in Need USA,a Papal Missionary of Mercy and a Missionary of the Eucharist for the US Bishops
Perez Ehinon A.
Holy Family Society
Rev. Fr. Pius Ajaba
Fr Pius Ajaba is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja.
Franciscanfriars
Franciscans of the Immaculate
Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Audu
Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Audu is the Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Jos, Nigeria.
Rev. Fr. Collins Akhigbe, OP
Fr. Collins Akhigbe, OP is a priest of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). He is also the Chaplain of the Holy Family Society in the Archdiocese of Abuja.
Sir David E. Osunde
Sir David E. Osunde is the Founder and National Coordinator of the Holy Family Society.
Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ikechukwu Ekuma
Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ikechukwu Ekuma is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Nigeria.
Rev. Fr. Pesco Dauda
Fr Pesco is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja, Nigeria.
Rev. Sr. Juliana K. Osiyemi, EHJ
Sr. Juliana Osiyemi, EHJ is a member of the Institute of the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, Nigeria.
Rev. Fr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie
Rev. Fr Okhueleigbe Osemhantie is a priest from the Catholic Diocese of Uromi, Nigeria.
Rev. Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP
Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie is a priest of the Missionary Society of St. Paul
Rev. Fr. Joseph Chukwugozie Ikegbunam
Fr Joseph Chukwugozie Ikegbunam is a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha. Presenly, he is on missionary assignment to St. Louis, United States of America.
Rev. Fr. Israel GodsPower Anaweokhai, MSP
Fr Israel GodsPower Anaweokhai is a priest of the Missionary Society of St. Paul. He is currently having his postgraduate studies in Biblical Theology at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Our Staff
Moses Kufre
Manager (ICT Specialist & Information Management)
Perez Ehinon
Manager (Spirituality Engagements & Operations)
Anuniru Emmanuel O.
Anuniru Emmanuel, hails from Anambra State.
