On October 2, the Feast of the Guardian Angels, we were delighted to welcome six candidates into our Congregation during a prayer service in the chapel of the Community of Sisters in Madisi. These 6 candidates are Tiyamike Henrico, Vanessa Makwembe, Rebecca Uwayisenga, Naomi Yohane, Felister Mwasiye and Clara Siwande.

We have been working towards this day for a long time: there were ‘come and see’ meetings with young women, gatherings with all the Sisters in Malawi, discussions, discernments and joint decisions by the two provincial directress – Indonesia and Germany – along with the General Council of our Congregation – and, last but not least, the construction of the candidate house in Madisi and the formation house in Dowa. This made it all the more joyful to welcome the six young women into initial step of formation. The great joy was evident on their faces, as a long-cherished wish had now come true for them. Two days earlier, they had moved into the candidate house and, together with Sr. M. Yovita Manalu and Sr. M. Flaviana Ndruru, filled it with life.

Today’s prayer service was intended to honor this step and mark a historic milestone for our (international) Congregation.

Fr. Kalowa, the parish priest in Madisi, presided over the celebration and explained the Franciscan tau symbol to the candidates. After blessing the tau symbols, Sr. Klara gave each candidate a tau symbol as a sign of our sisternity and a bookmark with the tau symbol, accompanied by words of encouragement and appreciation.

Fr. Kalowa, Fr. Sonkhani, and all the Sisters then congratulated our candidates. Together they posed for a group photo in the chapel.

The blessing of the candidates’ house was followed by a prayer service in the chapel. The new house received a powerful blessing, both inside and outside, so that we can look to the future with confidence and reap the fruits of years of preparation. This means that the candidates will receive a solid foundation here and can gain joy and a taste for membership in our congregation.

It is clear that the candidate house offers the young women comfortable accommodation that they are not familiar with from their places of origin: a lounge and dining room, two shared candidate rooms, two Sister rooms, a kitchen, a laundry room and sanitary facilities, all under one roof. But as it says in Matthew 9:17, “Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Such an event naturally calls for a festive menu. The Sisters worked together with the cook, Mr. Blessing, to prepare an appetising meal and bake delicious cakes. There was a birthday cake for Father Kalowa, who celebrated his birthday a few days earlier, as well as a cake to mark today’s occasion.

It was wonderful to be able to enjoy the meal in such cheerful company.

Tiyamike Henrico (candidate) on behalf of the group of candidates, expressed gratitude to everyone for this celebration and for the support that made their candidacy possible. She promised to be open and willing to learn in order to take the next step toward membership in the congregation. Sister Klara also addressed the guests, encouraging the candidates to continue forward with joy and enthusiasm, and inviting them to be open, share ideas, and express their concerns. A new beginning brings both joy and challenges, just as in normal life. Sr. M. Yovita and Sr. M. Flaviana will always be there to provide a listening ear. Finally, Fr. Sonkhani spoke appreciatively about the event, blessing the candidates and extending God’s blessings to all of us.

It is truly amazing to witness how joyful and in tune the prospective members are with each other. This reminds me of my experience with the Sisters who joined our congregation in groups of eight or more. 

We look back on what has been achieved with deep gratitude, respect, and awe. The Sisters from the Madisi and Dowa communities, and especially Sister Klara, have done an extraordinary job. Today marks a milestone in the journey towards the beginning of formation in Malawi. A big heartfelt gratitude for your prayers and words of support.

Written by Sister Susanne FCJM

Edited by Sr. M. Evifania Sinaga FCJM