By Sr. Cleopatra Nakwenda, RSC, Monze CNCS Hub
Two novices of the Religious Sisters of Charity have made their First Profession of Vows at Roma Convent Chapel in Lusaka, committing themselves to a life of poverty, chastity, obedience and service to the poor.
Sr. Mercy Akpan and Sr. Chisom Korie publicly professed their vows during a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Leonard Namuhumba and attended by members of the congregation, family and friends.
In his homily, Fr Namuhumba commended the newly professed Sisters for responding to God’s call and dedicating their lives to His service through the Religious Sisters of Charity.
‘’We thank you for your ‘yes’ and for offering yourselves totally to God,’’ he said.
Fr. Namuhumba said the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience invite Religious Sisters to live lives centred on God, love others selflessly and remain attentive to God’s will through the Church and their religious community.
He added that the congregation’s fourth vow of service to the poor calls Sisters to recognise Christ in those in need and to serve them with compassion.
‘’This vow frees you to place yourselves in the hands of God and the Church, ready to serve at all times and in all places,’’ he said.
Fr. Namuhumba said the congregation’s motto, ‘’The Love of Christ Urges Us On,’’ adopted by Venerable Mary Aikenhead, Foundress of the Religious Sisters of Charity, should continue to inspire the Sisters in their religious vocation.
He assured the newly professed Sisters of the community’s prayers and reminded them that God would continue to strengthen and sustain those He has called to Religious Life.
And Sr. Yolanthe Mwiila, a senior member of the Religious Sisters of Charity, described the First Profession ceremony as a joyful and prayerful celebration, saying Sisters from every convent gathered to support the newly professed.
She said although the newly professed were not assigned to mission in Zambia after the ceremony, the congregation was grateful to witness their profession and would continue praying for them.
Meanwhile, Sr. Akpan described the celebration as a joyful occasion and thanked God for fulfilling her long-held desire to become a Religious Sister.
‘’I was really happy that at last the desire I had always had to serve God as a Religious Sister came to reality,’’ she said.
She encouraged young people discerning a religious vocation to pray, listen to God’s voice and trust that He would reveal His plan for their lives.
And Sr. Korie also encouraged those considering Religious Life to seek God’s guidance, listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and trust the journey.
‘’Listen to what the Spirit of God is telling you and God will send people who will help you. You will not be alone in the process,’’ she said.
She urged young people not to be discouraged, saying God places people along the way to accompany those responding to His call.