Diocese: Same
Pioneers: Sisters Edilburga Monteiro, Rosin Noronha, Venitha Martis
The Ursuline Franciscan Formation House is the second residence (Women’s Hostel of the Diocese which had housed them for a month, being the first), the Sisters occupied in the Bishops’ Village after their arrival in Tanzania. Complying with a request of Sr Edilburga to permit them to continue to reside in the house, the Bishop offered the building to the Sisters. The Formation house welcomed five girls – Consolatha Thairora Kobia, Damaris Nkatha Joseph, Doris Kananu, Helena Kaburo and Lydia Kamathi Mikwa – as candidates in 2005. Sr Leena Mathias with the assistance of Fr Patrick Gitonga, Kenya was instrumental in recruiting the candidates. Sr Edilburga, a seasoned formator took up the task of forming the candidates. Sr Venitha Martis assisted her in the work of formation. Along with the formation curricula, the formees and Sisters visit families, pray the Rosary in families and share with people the word of God. It can be said that the formees are the backbone of the mission in Africa as they are well-versed with the language and culture of the land.
The African mission necessitated a novitiate in order to cater to the continuation of formation of the candidates. Accordingly, on January 1, 2007, the existing formation house was erected as the novitiate. Sr Edilburga was appointed novice directress and Sr Veena C Mascarenhas was appointed assistant novice directress. In order to equip the mission with appropriate personnel, Sr Venitha Martis was sent to India for Bachelor studies in Theology which she pursued at St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore. On April 18, 2009, Consolatha Thairora, Damaris Nkatha and Lydia Kamathi the first batch of African Sisters professed their vows to live as Ursuline Franciscan Sisters. Bishop Jacob Koda celebrated the Eucharist at the occasion. The following year, i.e., December 8, 2010, two more second year novices, Faith Gatwiri Rivngu and Elizabeth Shayo professed their vows and on 8 December 2011, Helen Kaburo, Joan Ndiga, Sabina Abura professed their vows to be Ursuline Franciscan Sisters. It was on December 8, 2012, Josephine Tibaaga, Immaculate Acham and Yuniah Moraa professed their vows. Out of the professed Sisters, seven are from Kenya, one is from Tanzania and three are from Uganda. Currently, five first year novices are being formed to be Sisters; five pre-novices pursue their formation. The novitiate house serving as a powerhouse of prayer supports the mission work of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters in the African Region. Junior Sisters spend a day or two in the novitiate house in prayer and spiritual direction. Conducive atmosphere in the house attracts Sisters even from other congregations for prayer.
It is remarkable that the Sisters, besides their work of formation, involve themselves in several pastoral activities such as catechising in primary and secondary schools administered by the government as well as in the Cathedral parish and outstations, coaching the slow-learning students of their neighbourhood etc. With the assistance of the Principal of St Agnes College, Mangalore, India they were able to conscientize people of 19 villages for 20 days on water management scheme. Professors Clement D’Souza, Ronald Mascarenhas, and Charles Stany Pais travelled from Mangalore, India to Tanzania as resource persons of the programme.
Presence of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters amidst people of the land, the underprivileged in particular, has served to be a challenge to women religious of other three congregations working in the locality to move out to visit people and pray with them in their houses. Exposure programme offered to novices and pre-novices to live among the poor in different parishes namely, Makanya, Hedaru, Gonja, Kigare and Kisangara Juu and Kifaru has been a unique experience which has also opened mission vistas to the diocesan clergy.
Apostolic zeal of the Sisters and formees was duly appreciated by Sr Doreen D’Souza and Sr Lily Fernandes (2005), Sr Doreen and Sr Jeraldine (2008) and Sr Doreen and Sr Aurea and Sr Rita (2011) during their visit to the Formation House. In order to continue the Good News of the Kingdom of God, the Church is in need of committed people.
