Lusaka (Zambia). From 5 to 10 October 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia, at the Mornese Spirituality Center of Our Lady of Peace Province (AFM), Formation took place for the new Animators of the Provinces of the CIAM Conference of Africa and Madagascar (AES, AFM, ANG, and MOZ).
This meeting offered the participants a space for reflection on leadership, accompaniment, and community life, rooted in the Charism of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.
In his opening presentation on Leadership in the Church and Consecrated Life, Father Alphigio Tunha, OFM, set the tone for the week with the phrase, “Leadership is not a privilege, but a pilgrimage.”
He emphasized that true leadership in consecrated life rests on Integrity, Inspiration, and Humility. For the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, leadership is not about administration or control, but about spiritual guidance, modeled on Christ the Good Shepherd.
The participants were welcomed by Sister Cecilia Montanya, AFM Provincial, who reminded everyone that an animator’s first call is to testify through her life, allowing the Constitutions to shape her daily life.
Sister Patricia Finn, FMA, she then led the Animators deeper into The Service of Authority and the Responsibility of the Animator. Drawing on the FMA Constitutions (Art. 52, 108, 113, 114, and 164), she described authority as an expression of spiritual motherhood, rooted in listening, prudence, kindness, and firmness of spirit.
She reminded the participants that an Animator is called to be docile to the Holy Spirit, clear in communication, and faithful in prayer, qualities that make leadership an act of love rather than a command.
The theme of accompaniment was passionately explored by Fr. Joseph Kasonde of the Brothers of Charity, and Sister Agnes Chilekwa Chisenga, FMDM. Fr. Kasonde recalled Don Bosco’s advice, “Tolerate the shortcomings of others if you want others to tolerate yours.” He encouraged the Animators to internalize God’s gifts, before guiding others.
Sister Agnes, for her part, reflected on the Journey of Emmaus (Lk 24:13-35) as a model of accompaniment: walking with others, listening carefully, and helping them to recognize the presence of Christ in their journey of faith.
In the middle of the week, Brother Musunga Purely, through his talk on the environmental crisis and the future of life on Earth, invited the participants to rethink their relationship with creation. He contrasted the EGO mentality, which seeks self-interest and control, with the ECO mentality, which values collaboration, respect, and sustainability. He was clear in stating that caring for creation is not optional, but a fundamental aspect of the Christian following. The presentation stimulated the Animators to consider the custody of creation as part of their spiritual mission and Salesian identity.
Interculturality and Intergenerationality is the theme covered by Sister Julienne Munyemba, FMA, who spoke about diversity as a gift to be welcomed. Through dialogue, mutual respect, and shared learning, intercultural coexistence becomes a sign of communion in a world Institute.
Regarding intergenerational coexistence, she encouraged openness to learn from young people and respect for the wisdom of the elderly Sisters, a true expression of Mornese’s family spirit.
The last formative moment was animated online by Sister Paola Cristina Langa, FMA of the MOZ Province, on practical aspects of the Animation of community life.
She invited them to consider the community as a “holy place”, a sacred space where God manifests Himself through relationships. “Daily life”, she said, “is the privileged environment for promoting the vocational growth of each sister.” She recalled that animation is a shared responsibility, with each member contributing to the vitality and mission of the community. Her reflections, based on the FMA Constitutions (art. 52, 124, 162, 164) and the Regulations (55, 123), offered a practical vision for building joyful and faith-rich communities.
The meeting concluded with a time of thanksgiving, verification, and exchange of gifts, gestures that reflected the joy, unity, and spirit of sisterhood fueled throughout the week. The CIAM Formation for the new Animators was more than a simple workshop, but rather an itinerary of the heart, which rekindled the flame of Salesian leadership rooted in humility, service, and love.
The Animators returned to their Provinces with renewed energy and conviction, ready to animate their communities as women of faith, hope, and joy, keeping alive the spirit of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello in the heart of Africa and Madagascar.
