Saturday 26th September 2020, was a very awesome and memorable day for the Sisters of Divine Providence in Malawi Region and indeed for the entire Congregation. The Coordination Team in Malawi Region thought it wise to organise such a wonderful ceremony. The ceremony was conducted in Chinyonga Regional House in the Archdiocese of Blantyre in order to escort our two sisters who were appointed for a new mission in the Generalate in Munster- Germany.
Sr Prisca Phwandaphwanda was elected as a member of the General Coordination Team during the previous 29th General Chapter in Curitiba –Brazil in February 2020. As it was agreed during the same General Chapter there is need to formulate an international community in the Generalate, all the four continents had to send one Sr to represent them in this community. In view of that agreement, in African Continent-Malawi Region Sr Dora Maulana was appointed.
The Ceremony was well organised and it started with the Solemn Mass officiated by Reverend Fr Francis Tambala a diocesan Priest from the Archdiocese of Blantyre. Thereafter, a luncheon followed. In his powerful sending off homily, Fr Francis encouraged us through the two sisters that, “wherever God sends us, He Himself is already there before us, so there is no need to fear. We should never be tempted to pray to God for the removal of any cross we could encounter rather we should only pray for the special strength for us to carry such crosses. Even Jesus Himself Prayed in the garden of Gethsemane that His Father could take away from Him the cup of suffering but God did not. Later, Jesus Christ accepted and surrendered everything to His Father. Now, here we are! through His Sufferings we all got salvation.” Sr Agnes Banda-the Regional Superior, also nailed it when she gave the Holy Crucifixes to the two Sisters as a missionary symbol. She said, these two are going there in a new mission as the Region’s ambassadors. Therefore, those Holy Crucifixes must always be their reminder of their Yes to the appointment. It should also be the source of strength and joy in their new mission as they imitate Christ in evangelising God’s kingdom to His people.
Meanwhile, all the sisters in Malawi Region feel very proud that we are now growing. We thank our two sisters for their acceptance to take up this new challenge on our behalf. May Fr Eduard Michelis our beloved founder, continue interceding for us in our mission. Especially that we may be able to hear the cry of the needy and respond to the needs of the time. Long live Malawi Region! Long live all the four continents! Long live the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence!
By: Sr Elizabeth Balala