KENYA: Visually Impaired Sisters and Their Witness in Kenya
Sr. Mary veronica during morning prayer using braille
Sr Michelle Njeri OSF
Within the larger missionary of the Don Orione family that comprises Sons of Divine Providence and the Little missionary sisters of Charity, there is a community of visually impaired religious women known as ‘The Sacramentine Sisters.’
Founded in Italy by St. Luigi Orione an Italian priest commonly known as Don Orione, the visually impaired Sacramentine are adorers of the Blessed sacrament. In Kenya, the sacramentine sisters’ community has four sisters, Sr. Mary Carmen, Sr. Mary Angelina, Sr. Mary Rachael, and Sr. Mary Veronica.
In an interview with the nuns on their way of evangelization, as virtually impaired religious, Sr. Mary Veronica who was directed to the Sacramentine Sisters by a Consolata sister in 1981 narrated, “This congregation of the visually impaired sisters is unique and the only one in Kenya. Our founder Don Orione was a charitable person and asked us to be a mother and a sister to the poor. we offer our lack of sight to God for the brothers and sisters who do not know the truth, so they may experience God, the light of the world.”
Though the sisters are visually impaired, they are not fully contemplative since they engage in offering catechism lessons at the parish, visit the nearby village, and also offer counseling services to people physically and virtually.
“In our charism as sacramentine sisters, we adore Jesus in the blessed sacrament and talk to Jesus about humanity. we meet the people and talk to them about God’s love we take the souls to Jesus and Jesus back to the souls “Sr. Veronica shared.
The sisters who do adoration in turn, engage in other community duties like farming, poultry rearing, making rosaries, and knitting as income-generating activities for sustainability. “We join the congregation to give and receive, we don’t join to be helped we try to be autonomous in all that we do” Sr. Mary Veronica.
Sharing their challenges during the interview, they disclosed that acquiring the braille books is not easy and for many years they have always imported spiritual braille books from abroad. With the increased taxation, the sisters are unable to receive books as they used to in the past, however, the Joyful sisters acknowledge that challenges make them complete.
“We face challenges with joy. Being visually impaired does not take away our talents and abilities” Sr. Mary Rachael expressed.
The Sacramentine Sisters are a real witness that disability is not inability. Even though they lack sight, all the other senses are actively engaged for the glory of God and the good of humanity. Like other religious sisters, they take their vows and are always committed to their prayer life, apostolate, and community living.
