Five Novices Make First Profession of Religious Vows in Monze Diocese
By Sr. Grace Phiri, Monze CNCS Hub Five Novices from the Congregation of the Religious Sisters of the Holy Spirit made their first profession of religious vows in Monze Diocese. The newly professed Sisters are Frontier Soteli, Ades Mudenda, Mutinta Veronica Chikomo, Minako Milambo, and Sisca Muchelemba. During the ceremony, Fr. Brian Chibuluma called on the Sisters to embrace courage, prayer, obedience and sacrifice as they prepare to serve a world “broken and in need of healing.” “Indeed, it has been a long walk, a long journey. One that we long to walk into today, a world divided politically, religiously, tribally and rationally,” Fr. Chibuluma said. “Yes, my dear Sisters, this is the world you are walking into,” he added. He reminded the Sisters that they are called to bring light and hope and to bear much fruit. “Like firefighters walking into collapsing buildings to save others, you too are walking into a collapsing world to help those who are broken and in need of saving,” he said. Further, Fr. Chibuluma emphasised the importance of remaining spiritually connected in order to bear fruit. “In the gospel, Jesus says, I am the vine and you are the branches. Without the vine, branches like us cannot bear fruit. You need to be attached to Christ in every moment and circumstance,” he said. He stated that the three ways for the Sisters to remain rooted and effective in their mission are prayer, obedience and sacrifice. “Prayer connects you to Christ. Obedience allows you to remain connected to the Spirit. And sacrifice calls for selfless service,” he added. Meanwhile, Sr. Rosalia Sakayombo, Holy Spirit Sisters Superior General, explained that the theme of the ceremony, “I chose you and appointed you to bear fruit,” is a reminder of the meaning of their religious life. “Before ever you thought of choosing our religious life, God had already seen you and loved you and called you. Your yes today is a re-echo of a love story that began long before we had even thought of it,” Sr. Rosalia said. She further emphasised that bearing fruit is about faithfulness rather than perfection. “So when God appoints you to go and bear fruit, He also appoints the point. He provides the grace and the strength needed for the harvest. My dear sisters, thank you for the example of today,” she said. Sr. Rosalia encouraged the Sisters to embrace joy in religious life and actively reach out to those in need. “Don’t be like a wheelbarrow waiting for someone to move it, be open to going to the people who need you,” she said. And Sr. Anna Hakaloba expressed happiness at seeing young people joining and responding positively to the growth of the congregation. Similarly, Sr. Lontia Siakalambwa described the event as a milestone for the congregation and thanked God for the growth of girls in formation houses over the past four years. Meanwhile, one of the parents of the newly professed Sister, Mr. Mwila Soteli, described the occasion as a memorable and moving experience. ‘’I feel honored to witness to such event, to see the ladies making their vows especially my daughter, ‘’ he added.
Encounter of a faithful God on Kasamba Mountain
By Sr. Nasilele Simushi, Dominican Sister, Ndola ZAS Branch On May 31, 2025, the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I embarked on a pilgrimage to Kasamba Mountain, a site attributed to Mother Mary’s apparitions in Masaiti District, Copperbelt Province, Zambia. My journey began with a personal desire for spiritual renewal and a deeper connection with God. A Call to Obedience As we prepared to ascend the mountain, our guide instructed us to remove our shoes and socks and walk barefoot. Despite my initial hesitation, I chose to obey, asking God for the courage and strength to persevere. This act of obedience marked the beginning of a transformative journey. Endurance and Perseverance The walk was challenging, with rough terrain and sharp stones testing my resolve. Yet, with each step, I felt a mix of pain and comfort, a reflection of the spiritual journey I am on. My fellow pilgrims offered encouragement and support, and I drew strength from their presence. Walking with Jesus & Mary through the Rosary As we recited the Holy Rosary, I prayed for my intentions, trusting in God’s plan for me. Mother Mary and Jesus taught me to embrace every experience, whether joyful or sorrowful, and to trust in God’s goodness. Carrying the Cross When it was my turn to carry the cross, I felt a sense of passion and purpose, like Simon of Cyrene. I took on the weight of the cross, offering my pains and struggles to God. Unnoticeable Souvenir from the Mountain After the pilgrimage, I discovered a small piece of grass lodged in my toe, a reminder of the unexpected burdens we carry. This experience taught me that God is always present, guiding us through life’s challenges and revealing hidden truths. This profound spiritual experience attuned me to God’s ways, deepening my trust in His purpose for my journey. As we embark on various spiritual paths, I pray that the Lord guides and protects us, enveloping us in His loving care. May this Jubilee year of Hope ignite within us a fervent longing for a brighter future, and may we walk in faith, trusting in His divine plan. AMEN