“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Yezakuzwe Marie, Mukamana Ernestine, Oligah Ainomugisha, MSOLA postulants, report from Arusha, Tanzania
On the morning of 20th July, Sisters, family and parishioners arrived at St. John Mary Mzeeyi Maruku parish for the Mass. In a brief history of Sr. Marietha’s life, we learned that it was
through the sacrament of the Eucharist that she had come to love Jesus Christ.
In Tanzania, the religious habit is very significant and appreciated. The bishop explained why our dress is different from that of other congregations. We have chosen a habit that allows us to move around easily and to be close to the people. Later during a conversation, the choir director told us that he liked the way we mixed with the people.
During his speech, Mr. Joakim Rupia, Marietha’s father, showed his gratitude to God for Marietha’s vocation, to our Congregation for accepting her to make final vows and to all who attended the celebration to witness this important step.
Sr. Marietha thanked for everyone’s participation in the feast through the words of Mary: “My soul magnifies the Lord”.
After Mass, the festivities took place in the parish courtyard. Traditional dances and other presentations were prepared including some by the MSOLA postulants.
On Monday, the MSOLA went to visit the mother of our sister Anafrida Biro, aunt of Sr. Marietha. We were warmly welcomed and we shared a time of great joy.
In the afternoon of the same day we attended the thanksgiving Mass at Sr. Marietha’s home, where we got the chance to interact with the people in her village.
Sr. Marietha Asimwe Joakim Rupia writes:
“My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.’’
I am full of gratitude to God for accepting the humble gift of my entire life to Him. I am grateful to our MSOLA family for being who I am today. When time came for my final commitment, the community of Dar es Salaam, the Entity leaders and I collaborated in the preparations. God’s help was with us.
We visited the community of the Theresian Sisters of Bukoba, to deepen our knowledge of their experience lived with our Sisters at the foundation of their Congregation.
The Sisters who came in advance of the feast were staying in one of the family houses and formed a community. It was a great joy not only for my family but also for the entire village because it was Vocation Animation on its own. A young lady was attracted to our Congregation just after seeing us walking together. MSOLA and postulants arrived from different communities in Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Kenya and DR Congo. Two Missionaries of Africa and a representative of the Lavigerie Lay Association of Kenya were with us. The Mass was well animated and presided over by the Bishop.
I keep dearly his homily about the Gospel of John 21:15-19: Jesus gave a special mission to Peter.
Likewise I have been entrusted with the mission of taking care of God’s people and of committing myself totally to God. I will need a spirit of sacrifice and obedience to go even where I would not wish to go. The moment of the Litany of the Saints, I felt I was surrendering my entire being to God and He was doing something within me, which was beyond my understanding and my knowledge.
This was a memorable day in my life and for my family and my parish. Their commitment was remarkable. I cannot thank God enough for all the wonders that he is doing in my life, for all the signs of love.
