The 8th of December, 2022, was a day of great rejoicing and thanksgiving in the Queen of Peace Province at the International Noviciate, Arusha, as Sr Hildagarda Lotto celebrated her Final Profession and ten Novices, from Rwanda, Congo, Uganda and Tanzania, made their First Profession. Sr Josephina D’Souza, our Superior General, received the vows of the Sisters.
The Holy Mass took place in the Parish Church of Polising’isi – Arusha. The Chief Celebrant was Fr John Onna, the Regional Superior of the Pallottine Fathers. Seventeen priests and a Deacon, the Sisters, Novices and Choir processed from the Noviciate House to the Parish. The Choir was formed from the Formees of the local religious and they sang with great enthusiasm. The Sisters were honoured that eleven Pallottine priests as well as priests and religious from the neighbouring Congregations joined with them for the celebration.
In his homily, Fr John stressed the importance of the consecrated life and its challenges especially for young religious today. He spoke of the importance of Fidelity and the need to be women of prayer and sacrifice because you are sent into the world as missionaries and called to be witnesses of Christ and to work for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Our founder, St Vincent Pallotti, insisted that our apostolate be rooted and find its strength from God as we imitate Jesus the Apostle of the Eternal Father.
We were blessed to have our Superior General, Sr Josephina D’Souza and her councillor Sr Marie Claire Mukeshimana, Sr Angeline Kambugu, Regional Superior of Our Lady of Kibeho, Rwanda, her councillor Sr Adeline Dusabe and Sr Odeta Musabyimana from Uganda with us.
After Mass all the people were invited to the Convent grounds for lunch and for entertainment which everyone enjoyed.
Sr. Fabiola Joseph, SAC
Photos by Waiwai Studio
