“This is the day that the Lord has made, a day of celebration and joy”
On Sunday 08/05/2022, our Sister Priscille Nisubire made her final profession in her parish of origin, Kiganda in the Archdiocese of Bujumbura in Burundi. It was a day of joy for the whole Church of Kiganda and for us who were there.
In the entrance procession, at the sight of the crowd that surrounded us from left to right, we could shout to ourselves: “Ah, how beautiful on the mountain are the footsteps of the messengers of the Good News who announce salvation and peace.”
As for the parishioners, they said they were very happy because it is rare for the sisters to make their vows in the parish. The mass was presided over by Monsignor Gervais Banshimiyubusa, Archbishop of Bujumbura.
It was Good Shepherd Sunday. His homily was very short and meaningful. He spoke of the voice of the Good Shepherd who prophesies and who teaches. He invited us to listen well to his voice and discern which voice we hear within us. We will have to learn from the Good Shepherd by remaining with him as he is one with his father “My Father and I are one.” He teaches us unity and collaboration in our daily life and in our mission.
The Archbishop shared with us that he had his vocation thanks to the White Fathers who were in his parish in Gisuru. It was they and the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa who helped him pursue his vocation. He appreciated this testimony of making vows in the parish of origin. He concluded by saying that there are many young people in this parish, so Priscille should not be the last…
As our Constitutions tell us in number 25: “Our personal, free and definitive commitment in the congregation is received by the Church.” After the invocation of all the saints of heaven, our sister Priscille in total confidence pronounced her definitive “Yes” to God for his greater glory and the salvation of humanity by accepting to belong to our MSOLA religious family. She let flow her response to the Love of God who calls, consecrates and sends. It is truly wonderful to follow Jesus obedient, poor and chaste in a radical way. It was a good testimony that touched many Christians.
Our Sister Victoire Niyonzima in the name of the Superior General and of the Church received the vows of Sister Priscille. It was the 59th World Day of Prayer for Vocations and in her word of thanks Sister Priscille invited the youth of Kiganda and Burundi to listen to the voice of Jesus Good Shepherd and to respond with joy: As the first missionaries came to announce the Good News to us, it is your turn to become a missionary in the service of brother and sister. Because the word of Jesus is still relevant today: “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. »
We admired the faithful of Kiganda who were involved in the celebration and in the following feast. It was well organized by the community of Gitega in collaboration with the parish of Kiganda. It was a joy for everyone present. We give thanks to God for the gift of our Church, the gift of Priscilla and the gift of the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa. We cannot forget Sister Priscille’s family, especially her parents who were there to support their daughter. They allowed her to dedicate her life to God without any reservations. May the Lord help Priscille in her mission, which awaits her in Rwanda. We pray for her, her family and the whole congregation.
Yours sincerely, Xaverine and Yollande
