MALAWI: Bishop Msipu Urges Sisters of Charity to Serve with Devotion
Rt. Rev. Gabriel Msipu receives a gift from parents to God
Sam Kalimba
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Chipata, Rt. Rev. Gabriel Msipu has called on the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa in Malawi and Zambia to serve God and His people with devotion, rather than approaching their vocation as ecclesiastical civil servants. He made this call during a celebration marking 180 years of the congregation’s existence, as well as the first vows of three novices and the 25th anniversary of Rev. Sr. Jenipher Machemba.
Bishop Msipu emphasized that the Sisters of Charity are not merely ecclesiastical civil servants, but rather religious sisters called to serve God and His people with dedication and passion.
“You are not joining the Congregation to become teachers or nurses. You are entering the congregation to be a religious Sister. These are secondary to the goal of your mission. We don’t expect you, after your first vows, to start demanding education scholarships from your superiors. I do understand that during your formation, you understood well the three vows you are going to profess today. You will not profess like you are ecclesiastical civil servants, not at all. You are a religious Sister,” said the visiting bishop.
He reminded the Sisters that their primary goal is to serve God and His people, rather than simply fulfilling secondary roles such as teaching or nursing.
“Religious life is not an employment contract but that you discern within yourself about the calling to consecrated life. It is not that you will not face problems, even those in married life face problems so do not find an excuse in the option. As for you novices that will profess today, know that it is not a personal choice for you take this route, we all believe that God calling to consecrated life,” said Msipu. The bishop encouraged the novices to seek counsel from their superiors when facing difficulties, rather than giving up too quickly. He emphasized that religious life is requires discernment and commitment.
He referred to the first reading of the day from the book of Jeremiah chapter 1:4-10 about the call of Jeremiah. He emphasized the fact that it is God who calls his people to consecrated life and that it is the duty of the people to accept the call every day of their lives. He said that God calls them not only once but every day.
Aside the homily, Rt. Rev. Msipu said that the day was a great moment for the Congregation of Sisters of Charity of Ottawa as they commemorate their 180th anniversary globally. He said that it was a moment of thanksgiving for their work and services they offer to the communities through education and health sectors. He also said that it’s time for their self-evaluation to look back and look into the future of their work.
The Regional Animator for St. Pius (Malawi) Rev. Sr. Adalaida Jere thanked the parents for the three new Sisters Prisca Letiyasi, Rosaline Wayanga and Treaza Kambanda for their generosity in giving their daughters to God.
“We thank you for allowing your daughters to join consecrated life that not well understood by many. It is also a gift of the Holy Spirit in you that made you understand what your daughters were up to. Very few parents understand this,” she said.
A representative of the parents advised the new Sisters to remain humble and obedient to their superiors and others. They pledged their prayers for their success in the consecrated life.
The Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Thomas Msalala DP, asked parents and relatives of the new sisters not think about pasting them with demands for they do not possess property or wealth of their own. He said that it was not an investment to have their daughters as Catholic nuns.
The celebration marked a significant milestone for the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa, who have been serving in Malawi since 1946. The congregation currently has 58 sisters in Malawi, including the three who made their first profession during the ceremony.
The celebration was attended by priests, sisters, and lay faithful from across Malawi, Cameroon, Lesotho, and Zambia, highlighting the congregation’s commitment to serving God and His people in various parts of the world.
