MALAWI: Local Nuns must be ready for Missionary Work in Other Countries – Prelate Urges
Sam Kalimba
Prelate of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe Archbishop George Desmond Tambala has urged local nuns to brace themselves for international missionary work. He said this on Saturday, January 27 at St. Andrew Kaggwa Parish in his Archdiocese on the occasion of first profession of two novices Apronia Mahowe and Stella Mkwezalamba of the Missionaries of Mary Mediatrix.
He emphasized in his speech that the Consecrated men and women of Malawi origin must cast off fears of leaving their land to serve the Lord in other countries.
“I must underscore this specifically to you my fellow Malawian Religious. Let’s detach ourselves from the love of our land and be ready to serve others outside our country. Many of you tend to decline international appointments for petty reasons. You see, the Missionaries of Mary Mediatrix had to come all the way from Europe and Asia to work amidst us. They selflessly help the local Church and therefore time is up for you to do likewise elsewhere,” he said.
“Take an example of Abraham and Mary who only acted on the will of God. You remember what Jesus talked about Peter that when he said that when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go. This is what is about working in the vineyard of the Lord. You must learn to change your mind set and take up the challenge,” continued Archbishop Tambala during speeches.
Connected to the same, the prelate centred his homily on the first reading of the day that came from Genesis 12:1-4. He said that Abram was asked to go away from his country, his people and his father’s household to the land the Lord would show him.
“We find total obedience in this text. Your first vows are as important as your perpetual vows are going to be. At all levels you need to obey the Lord and do his will. So, Abraham went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. This is similar to what Mary the mother of Christ did by accepted the will of God to take its course on her life. These two great believers must be our models in our journey to follow Christ.”
He congratulated the two sisters and thanked them for accepting to be servants of the Lord through Missionaries of Mary Mediatrix. He told the two that the love they showed during their first profession was paramount for the rest of their religious life.
“Many authors discuss the topic of what is important between first profession and the perpetual vows? It is debatable but what I know is that there is only one love. Love does not change. Hold on to what you have loved today and you will be happy sisters,” he said.
Parish Priest of St. Andrew Kaggwa Parish Monsignor Patrick Thawale advised the two Rev. Sr. Apronia Mahowe and Rev. Sr. Stella Mkwezalamba to forget about resting but be steady fast in responding to their call daily.
“We do not respond to God’s call, in order to be on holiday. We join the congregations to work. And many times, we tend to have pride after joining these congregations as if we are the best. God does not call us because we are pure at heart but because He wants to cleanse us. Be ready to be cleansed and receive God’s blessings as you work. You have living examples around you. Your own Mother Superior General Rev. Sr. Mercedes Arbesu before she became one used to cycle around villages in the Archdiocese to meet the needy. Aggod example of all what I have said. There are others who after joining a congregation they impoverish it by being liabilities and not assets. Choose to be an asset,” said Fr. Thawale.
Fr. Thawale went further to thank and bless the parents of the two sisters for their decision to give their daughters to the Lord.
The Missionaries of Mary Mediatrix have four communities in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe focusing on pastoral, education, Health and helping the needy. The Superior General came all the way from Spain to grace the occasion and thanked the Archdiocese of Lilongwe for the cordial working relationship her congregation enjoys in Malawi.
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