Luena (Angola). From 11 to 16 March 2026, at the Community of Our Lady of Light in Luena, the Temporary Professed Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Queen of Peace Province (ANG) gathered for a meeting dedicated to prayer, reflection, and fraternal sharing, accompanied by Sister Eurídice Filipe, Provincial Councilor for Formation.
The event began with a deeply symbolic moment of prayer, during which every FMA was invited to place her hands upon the Constitutions and receive her personal formation itinerary, thereby reaffirming her commitment in accordance with her identity as a Daughter of Mary Help of Christians.
During the formation meeting, fundamental themes concerning Salesian consecrated life were addressed, drawing upon the contributions of various formators:
- Prayer and Mission: Sister Natália reminded us that prayer is not a bureaucratic act, but the lifeblood that generates and purifies the mission. She emphasized the importance of configuring one’s heart to that of Christ, bringing the joys, struggles, and hopes of daily life into the chapel.
- Obedience and willingness: the Bishop, Mons. Martin Lazarte, presented obedience as synonymous with availability and strength for the mission, centered on what God asks. This theme was explored in greater depth with the contribution of Sister Charlotte, who presented Jesus and Mary as models of a mature obedience, one that matures in silence.
- Desert and interior freedom: Through practical exercises, Sister Beatriz Fundulo and Sister Beatriz Odete explored the “desert” as a place of encounter with God, and “inner freedom” as the capacity to choose the good and to serve with simplicity.
- Docility and humility: Sister Eugénia reflected on docility and humility as virtues that enable one to recognize one’s own limitations and accept divine guidance.
Practical aspects of religious life were also addressed. Father Cipriano Muteca spoke about the daily discipline necessary to discern the will of God in small gestures. Sister Angela discussed the relationship between prayer and affectivity, emphasizing the need to orient one’s affections toward the fundamental option for Christ.
The apostolic dimension was not lacking. The Temporary Professed shared moments with the students of the teacher formation course, engaging in lively vocational animation activities. The conclusion was entrusted to Sister Eurídice Filipe, who reaffirmed the identity of the FMA as “contemplatives in action,” a state in which the life of prayer and the apostolic life form an inseparable unity.
The encounter was enriched by greetings from Sister Nilza Fátima de Moraes, General Councilor for Formation of the Institute, and by the “Good Night” message from Sister Paola Battagliola, Visiting Councilor, who shared the inspiring testimony of Saint Maria Troncatti as a woman rooted in the Lord Jesus.
The week concluded with moments of leisure and conviviality, strengthening the bonds of fraternity that unite these young religious women on their journey of total self-giving to God and to young people.
