MALAWI: The Poor Clares Asked to Pray for The Country’s Political Situation
Poor Clare Sisters dancing during Mass Cerebration
Sisters of the Order of Saint Clare, commonly known as Poor Clare Sisters have been implored to pray for Malawi’s political situation which has been simmering following the disputed May 21 elections.
Religious Assistant for the Poor Clare Sisters in Africa, Fr. Felona Lambe echoed the appeal during a Eucharistic Mass marking 60 years of Poor Clare nuns’ monastery in Lilongwe on August 24.
“Malawi is going through a difficult political situation now. Pray for the country; pray for the people who in turn take good care of you, since you live contemplative life in an enclosure,” Fr. Lambe said.
He reminded them that contemplative life must not be confused with laziness; it is a life that is lived with the mandate to pray for God’s intervention in the political, social, economic and spiritual spheres of people and the Church.
Since its establishment, the Archbishop of Lilongwe Most Rev. Tarcisio Ziyaye said, the Monastery has made a great impactful on the life of the Church as nuns have been helping the priests, the Religious and the laity through their prayers.
“Monastic life is very important, it is a necessary apostolate and power house for the intentions of the Church and the needs of the society,” he said.
Abbess of Lilongwe monastery cutting the Anniversary cake
Moving forward after 60 years, Fr. Lambe, appealed for moral support and promotion of vocations from among parents and the Religious, encouraging the young ones to consider responding to the vocation to contemplative life.
He observed that in most parts of Africa, “… we are having the difficulties to promote the vocation to contemplative life. It is your mandate to encourage the young girls to view contemplative life as an important asset of the Church.”
Currently, there are 35 Poor Clare sisters at Lilongwe monastery from the initial six pioneers in 1959.
The Federal President of the Association for Poor Clares, Sr. Lerato, appreciated the response from young girls in Malawi to vocations.
“As we mark 60 years, we pray that God will continue to give us more grace’s that the young girls continue to be inspired to join contemplative life,” she said.
∽End∽
By Pilirani Tambala
