Foundress
Rev. Sr Dorothy Ngozi Ibekilo, SPEA
Sisters of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
“Stay awake and keep watch with me.”— Matthew 26:38
BRIEF HISTORY OF OUR FOUNDRESS
Our foundress, Rev. Mother Dorothy Ngozi Ibekilo was born in 1963 into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Ibekilo in Isofia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Shortly after the war, she began her primary education at Amoji Isuofia Primary School and her secondary education at Girls High School Umunze, where she obtained her west African Examination Certificate. She went further to obtain higher qualifications in education, earning the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE)in National Teachers Institute (NTI) Kaduna.She later proceeded to Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in education, specializing in Guidance and Counselling. In the world of our time, where many people are drifting away from God rather than committing themselves to Him, God, in His infinite mercy, enkindled the fire of love in the heart of our foundress Dorothy Ngozi , which led to the establishment of the Congregation of the Sisters of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. The foundress was originally a member of the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Joseph, where she received her formation and made her first religious profession in Italy. This unique call of God inspired her to a deeper adoration of the Lord in the Holy Eucharist while she was still a member of the congregation. The inspiration for a deeper adoration of the Lord in the Holy Eucharist continued to grow in her, eventually leading to the establishment of a new congregation with a distinct spirituality. Finally, with the help of His Grace, Most Rev. Albert KanayoChukwu Obiefuna, the then Archbishop of the Onitsha Archdiocese, the Congregation of the Sisters of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration was formally founded on 15th August 1997 by Sister Dorothy Ngozi Ibekilo.
A VISION BORN IN PRAYER
The inspiration for SPEA came from many years of prayer and discernment. Rev. Sr Dorothy had a burning desire to establish a community of women who would dedicate their lives to continuous adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, while also reaching out to the poor, the sick, and those on the margins of society. Her motto was simple and profound: “Stay awake and keep watch with me” (Matthew 26:38).
HER LEGACY
Through her tireless dedication, Rev. Sr Dorothy built a congregation that today operates multiple apostolates in Nigeria, touching thousands of lives through education, healthcare, and pastoral work. She formed her sisters not only in the intellectual and pastoral dimensions of religious life, but above all in the school of prayer — teaching that a deep union with Christ in the Eucharist is the source of all fruitful apostolic activity.
CONTINUING THE MISSION
Today, under the leadership of Sr. Mary Catherine Umewuzie, SPEA (Superior General), the congregation continues to grow and flourish, faithful to the founding vision of Rev. Sr Dorothy. The sisters carry forward her spirit of joyful consecration, perpetual adoration, and generous service — a living testimony to the transforming power of Christ's presence in the Eucharist.
“My soul is sorrowful to the point of death; stay awake and keep watch with me.”