The newly professed Sisters Mary John Mwongeli, Georgiana Aheisibwe and Evelyne Niyomwungere
“It is not you who chose me but I who chose you.” Jn 15 :16
Our newly professed sisters share with us the experience of their first profession day
We would like to share what the Lord has done for us by trusting us to be His friends and by sending us to His mission on February 11th 2026.
This was not an ordinary day for us but rather an unforgettable day, full of joy and gratitude to God for calling us to be members of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa.
This religious family helped us to journey and discover God’s love for us by following the example of Abraham’s call and the first disciples.
Before the celebration, one of us kept telling God:
I have heard you call me friend, and I want to be your friend always. Make me available for this friendship.”
For her, this was the source of courage as friends get to know each other.
The main celebrant Father Emmanuel Mubanga, novice master for the Missionaries of Africa in Bobo Dioulasso gave us a very rich homily which was made for us.
He said:
Today we have three persons who have truly loved Christ, they have been so strongly seized by His love that they couldn’t say no.”
He called upon the assembly to pray for us, for the grace to be ready to carry out this loving relationship. He encouraged us to keep renewing our friendship with Christ despite human fragility and spiritual struggles. He reminded us that our consecration to Christ is not a promotion or a privilege rather it is simply His unconditional love.
According to him, Jesus calls us by our names: Evelyne, Mary and Georgiana, as His friends and urged us to continue listening to His voice and remain in His love even in difficulties.
It was touching to see all the people coming to celebrate with us. We were humbled and honored by many priests, consecrated people, friends and neighbors; needless to mention our brothers, Missionaries of Africa who formed our profession choir.
The rite of the presentation of light helped us to feel calm and tranquil; therefore, doubts and fear disappeared.
The symbol of the cross we received was not only a sign of belonging to our Congregation but also an invitation to embrace the crosses of each day and carry them for the sake of others as Christ did. For us it is also a sign of the great love of Christ for all humankind.
In the offertory procession, we presented bread and wine as symbols that our lives may be a pleasing offering to God. The world globe represented the African continent and other countries of our mission and then, the fruits symbolized our desire to bear fruits of Evangelization wherever we are sent.
Before the end of the Eucharistic celebration, Sr. Margaret Kibola on behalf of the Superior General officially sent us to our mission. The Lavigerie Family entrusted us to our Lady of Africa our protectress, by singing the Sancta Maria and asking her intercession for the mission entrusted to us all.
Sr. Evelyne NIYOMWUNGERE, from Burundi is sent to Chad
Sr. Georgiana AHEISIBWE, from Uganda is sent to Morocco
Sr. Mary John MWONGELI, from Kenya is sent to Zambia
We are grateful to God who chose us and who journeyed with us throughout this novitiate period. We thank the entire congregation, especially the general council for having allowed us to make our first religious vows and become MSOLA members. Thank you for giving us a chance to participate in Christ’s mission in the African world.
We promise by the grace of God to collaborate with the whole congregation in keeping our Charism alive and fruitful.
We also thank our formators who sometimes spent sleepless nights in preparing sessions to help us grow in the love of Christ in the Spirit of the congregation. Thank you for having journeyed with us and for helping us discover the face and the call of Christ. You have been witnesses for our growth.
Our thanks go also to Fr Emmanuel, the main celebrant for his contribution to the celebration and also the whole team of the novitiate community of the Missionaries of Africa for their family spirit.
For us this celebration was not only a commitment but it is a big responsibility.
May the love of Christ strengthen us; may the care of our Lady of Africa accompany us and may Cardinal Lavigerie and Mother Marie Salomé intercede for us all!
