Salesian Sisters – City of Hope

The GART girls, Mothers, and volunteers ventured to Kafue River on August 10 for a day trip, much to the excitement of the girls, who don’t usually get a chance to go on field trips like this.

They spent the day playing games, relaxing, swimming, and enjoying each other’s company outside of their typical routine at the City of Hope. They spent hours in the pool after lunch, splashing and having fun.

The older girls especially were happy to go home by public transport–a rare and exciting experience. They can’t wait to go back!

At  9:30 in the mornings, we gathered at the Parish Church, in Makeni neighbourhood for the Eucharistic Celebration of the Final Profession of Sr Esther Chilonga; the main celebrant being His Eminency Cardinal Medardo Mazombwe, dallo Zambia.

La Eucharistic celebration had all the taste of Africa because of the joyful songs and rhythms and rich symbols. In his homily, Cardinal Mazombwe thanked the FMA for the work they do not only in Lusaka, but in whole Zambia with the schools in different levels, skills training centres, Oratories and Parish Catechism;  and echoed the words of Blessed Virgin Mary to Main during the vision in Borgoalto because he repeated: “Continue taking care of our children, especially the most vulnerable. We entrust them to you”

After Mass, we had lunch together and some entertainments prepared by the young people representing our missions.

These entertainments went well the whole afternoon and meanwhile Mother gave us the gift of the personal encounter.

19:00 hrs saw us gathering for a moment of prayer and supper at City of Hope. After supper Mother gave us the good night and in it, she emphasised the great grace we had today participating in the celebration because renews our own enthusiasm in our vocation and stressed the responsibility we have of witnessing to the people a life lived in sincere love, in collaboration and in joy. People want to see us caring for each other, committed to our vocation. At the end, Mother asked us to question ourselves: on what is the moment of today which helped me to renew my vocational commitment. What is the Lord speaking to me in a moment like this.

Mother invited Sr. Esther  to put the crown she received as sign of her perpetual consecration at the feet of our lady in the chapel

Mother Yvonne’s second day began with a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Father Chalissery. She had the opportunity to meet with our Provincial, Sr. Julienne Munyemba, the Aspirants, Postulants, their formators, Srs. Ireen Kapisha and Constance Nsofwa, as well as the junior sisters.

She also visited the Apostolic Nunciature, the other animators of the communities and of course the City of Hope. The children gathered to sing the Magnificat and also presented some cultural dances and a short sketch on Mother Mazzarello. Mother thanked the girls for the presentation and encouraged them to follow the advice of the sisters, assuring them that she takes them with her in her heart.

Mother ended her trip with meetings with the Saint Don Bosco Provincial and other Salesians from the communities around Lusaka. She thanked everyone for their closeness and their collaboration with the sisters, especially for their spiritual support.

Mother encouraged the Novices to persevere because “the young people need you.”