MALAWI: Benedictine Sisters Mark 175 Years of Existence in Zomba Diocese, Malawi
Steve Likhucha
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Zomba, Rt. Rev. Alfred Mateo Chaima led the Clergy, Religious, and Laity of the Diocese in celebrating 175 Years of existence of the Benedictine Sisters of Divine Providence (BSDP) at Lisanjala Parish on Saturday, November 15.
Speaking during the homily, the Diocesan Leader said that the presence of the Benedictine Sisters of Divine Providence in the Diocese has compelled many people to trust again or believe in God, as their services have helped people experience the love and mercy of God.
“This celebration compels us to experience the love of God among us as the Sisters have been rendering services of love in different countries for 175 years, through which many beneficiaries have come to a better understanding of God.” Said Bishop Chaima.
The Bishop urged the Christians to support the missionary efforts of the Sisters in all the targeted areas where they are serving different people through nursery and secondary schools, apart from empowerment programmes to the youth and women, and feeding of primary school pupils in several rural schools within Lisanjala Parish in Machinga District.
“Be assured that God loves you. Out of 15 countries in the world, 4 of which are here in Africa, where these Sisters are serving different people, you happen to be among them here in Malawi, in the only Diocese and only Parish where these Sisters have registered their presence. Be supportive of them so they can continue serving us well here in the Country through this Parish.” Said the Bishop.
Guided by the Scripture readings of the event from Sirach 50: 22-24, I Thessalonians 5: 16-24 and Mark 5: 18-20, Bishop Chaima told the Congregation that God is ever merciful to his people and loves them to the end as such as his children we need to praise and thank Him always and do good as we avoid the evil. Having been blessed by God, we should become witnesses to the love and mercy of God to others in different ways so that such people should experience the love of God through us, just as the Benedictine Sisters of Divine Providence are doing to us in Zomba Diocese.
Emphasizing the Motto of the Congregation, Ora et labora (Work and Pray), the Bishop urged the people to put God first in their lives so that they should earn a lot through work. People who believe in God should be guided by prayer in their daily efforts or work, just as the Sisters are preaching to the world through different charitable services they are rendering in various dioceses.
The Mother Superior of the Congregation Sr. Narcisa Maria Passetto, sent a message from Brazil that she was with the Malawians in heart and spirit during the celebration and that she will continue praying for the success of the mission at Lisanjala Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Zomba.
The celebration was also organized to give thanks to God for Sr. Thokozani Kamanga of Kadikira Parish in Blantyre Archdiocese, who made temporary vows in Curitiba in Brazil in August this year after four solid years of formation in the same country.
Apart from serving in Nursery and Secondary Schools in the Parish, the Sisters also serve in primary schools, health centers, and a tailoring school to empower the youths and women programmes.
Founded by Maria and Giustina Schiapparoli in Italy in 1849, the BSDP arrived in Malawi in 2007 and settled in Zomba Diocese at Lisanjala Parish with four pioneers: Sr. Sonia, Sr. Paula, Sr. Nirmara, and Sr. Emily from Paraguay, Brazil, India, and Kenya, respectively. Apart from Malawi, the BSDP congregation also serves in Italy, Romania, Albania, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Mexico, and Sri Lanka.
