VATICAN - The under-secretary for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Rev. Sister Enrica Rosanna, shares with Fides her happy missionary experience among women in Congo. Religious Sisters help women of Africa to promote a culture of peace

Tuesday, 8 March 2005

Vatican City (Fides Service) - Sr Enrica Rosanna a member of the congregation of the Daughters of Mary Auxiliatrix and Under-Secretary for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, shares with Fides her happy missionary experience among women in Africa. “I saw just how much women in Africa can do to promote peace. One of many examples is the Maria Malkya (Maria Regina in Swahili) Institute in Lubumbashi, Democratic Congo, where I gave a conference on the symbols of peace to a group of women taking a course on this important subject fundamental for Africa’s development. The course is given by Sister Marie of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart, of St Joseph and the Church whose work is so effective and appreciated that the Bishops have appointed her secretary of the Bishops’ Conference Justice and Peace Commission”.
“The course lasts 12 months and the students are married women who leave their children with grandparents” Sister Rosanna said. “I think that in Europe this would be impossible. Some have as many as five children but they can leave them for a year because the sense of family and social solidarity is still very strong in Africa. The mothers I met were extraordinary in their simplicity: they took notes diligently in notebooks packed with information. The only book is the one used by the teacher. Although these women are extremely poor I was surprised and deeply impressed by their refined in manners, behaviour and dress”.
“The course consists of study and practical work. After the year of study the women return to their villages for a year to promote a culture of peace among their particular ethnic group. At the end of that year they return to the Institute to illustrate the results obtained and only then receive their diploma” said Sister Enrica Rosanna.
“The women take the course because they want a better future for their children. And peace is born precisely from education of children and youth as well as from hearts. The African woman can do much in this regard” Sr Rosanna said. “In this dimension women have a fundamental role for peace and this is precisely why women religious work with mothers to promote a culture of solidarity and social harmony”. “Women religious have a fundamental task to help life as it is born and grows, in the fields of healthcare and education. But their task is also to help women be themselves and develop their capacities” Sr Rosanna continued. “And particularly helping mothers bring up and educate their children to a culture of peace in those lands devastated by war. However this must be done with intelligence of heart and with respect for the local culture and mentality. This is another work of inculturating the faith which requires sensitivity to understand which is the best path to speak to the hearts of people” concluded the Salesian nun, under-secretary for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 8/3/2005; righe 34, parole 508)


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