Sister Eunice Kyohairwe, in Lilongwe, Malawi, shares her experience of a Vocation Sunday
In Lilongwe Diocese, Vocation Sunday was celebrated in Mlale, one of the Parishes in the diocese. This place is a bit on the periphery in terms of transportation but the youth managed to reach there in search of their vocation.
I felt encouraged by their openness in asking me different questions such as: dressing, apostolate, levels of education for entry into our congregation, etc. At the end, they expressed their appreciation for being enlightened.
They also shared their fear of approaching religious sisters because we don’t have time for them. From this interaction I discovered that the youth are still interested in religious life if we are available for them. I can say that our simple life style and readiness to adapt to their culture in our way of dressing is what is attracting many. I was the only one in the ‘kitenge’ but this did not stop them from approaching me.
I told them that we dress simply according to the culture of the people where we are.
And they were convinced. In the Homily of His Lordship Bishop Makwawa, they were invited to sow the seeds of hope because tomorrow is in their hands. Despite all the challenges they are going through, the seed of hope should remain in their hands and on their tongues. They are to be instruments of peace.
“Even if you have money, without peace money is nothing” he added.
What touched me most was the image of an egg that he used. He told the youth not become like eggs, delicate and idle, but to involve themselves in different activities like sports, because “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop”.
I can conclude by saying that the Good Shepherd gathered us from different places to share and be together with the youth in search of their vocation.
The seed of hope was sown, what is needed now is to keep on watering it.
