By Pierre-Paul Dossekpli

The Plenary Council 2026 began on Monday, 18 May 2026, at the EHJ Domus Fidei in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. The plenary fathers received a warm welcome from the Nigerian SMA Province, under the direction of the Provincial Superior, Fr Emmanuel Dim.

In her welcome address, Rev. Sr. Dr. Mary Fausta Uche Manafa, EHJ, Superior General of the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus (EHJ), expressed her joy at welcoming the SMA in the house, recalling the unbreakable link with the SMA. She noted that the congregation was founded in 1943 by the late Archbishop Leo Hale Taylor of the Society of African Missions.

In his homily, the Superior General invited the superiors of each unit to foster a sense of belonging, warning against forming exclusive circles that might exclude others.

Among the lay collaborators present was Dr. Margaret Ibru, affectionately known as Miss Maggie, who encouraged the Fathers to pursue unity and brotherhood. “I hope the humility I have experienced in the SMA will deepen; I want us to continue being the voice of the voiceless,” she said.

Eze Gabby Dimude, Chairman of the SMA Mission Support Group, reminded the Fathers of Jesus’ command: “Love one another as I love you,” and urged them to seek “unity, peace, and oneness”.

High Chief Baale Mesayeite shared his personal journey: “I was baptized, received my first Holy Communion, confirmed, and married—all by SMA priests—across different parts of the world.”

This first day featured vibrant cultural dances from Igbo land and Badagry, celebrating the diversity within the SMA community.