All the sisters of temporary vows from the different mission countries met in Nairobi from June 29 to July 14, 2018. The meeting was animated by the General Council. It allowed us to share, to listen to one another and to let ourselves be enthused by the experiences of each one.
The meditation on the biblical text of the calming of the tempest (Mt14:22-33) helped us to see Jesus calling us to walk on the deep waters, sometimes dangerous and agitated. We were encouraged to set out, like Peter, knowing that our safety is in Jesus.
Looking at the past with gratitude
Before coming to the meeting, we had been asked to interview an older sister and learn from her experience as a Missionary Sister of Our Lady of Africa, a woman apostle living in an intercultural community. Listening to the lives of our sisters who preceded us in mission, we were filled with joy, gratitude and courage to be bearers of hope and to be guided by the Spirit.
In this time of preparation for the 150th anniversary of the founding of our Congregation, we had the opportunity to travel through the history of our religious family through the important moments and the testimonies of our predecessors.
Intercultural community life – a great treasure
Another point on which we reflected longer is our intercultural community life – a great treasure for us Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa. We recognize that this life has its challenges but lived according to evangelical values it is a great testimony for us and for those around us. Every day we must learn to live our differences as a richness not as a threat.
All that we experienced during the meeting strengthened us in this conviction of Father Chevalier expressed several years ago: “The future of your Congregation depends on what you do today!” It is up to us young people today to develop, to share our talents and be responsible for the mission that God has entrusted to our founder – Cardinal Charles Lavigerie.
Sr. Angèle Riziki, Congolese missionary in Algeria
Sr. Magdalena Orczykowska, Polish missionary in Uganda
