Lusaka (Zambia). From March 12 to 16 2025, 12 Animators from the 13 Communities of Our Lady of Peace (AFM) Province gathered at the Lusaka Spirituality Center for formation with the Provincial, Sister Cecilia Motanya. The theme was “Being Mother Mazzarello in today’s reality.”
The sisters of the Community St. Mary D. Mazzarello and the girls of the GART Center warmly welcomed the Provincial and the Animators. The first day started with the Holy Eucharist, followed by Lectio Divina guided by Sister Julienne Munyemba, on the Scripture from Luke 19:1-11 about Zacchaeus. Sister Maria Mwale gave the second session on “Being Mother Mazzarello in Today’s Reality” in the Communities.
The second day, Sr. Julienne shared the topic on “Ecological Conversion” from the deliberation of the XXIV General Chapter of the Institute of Mary Help of Christians on the care of the common Home. After that, Sister Patricia Finn presented the a “the different roles of women” from the Bible focusing both from the Old and New Testament. It was honouring women in the Bible who are a source of inspiration to the participants.
“Social Media: All evolves around me!” was the theme presented on Day 3 by Sister Stella Chilupula, who highlighted many elements that are essential to religious life. Journeying with the Church of the Jubilee year, Fr. Lenard Namuhumba, Diocesan Priest, National Educational Secretary led the Sisters to reflect on “Pilgrims of Hope”. The last session of the day was presented by Sr. Patricia Finn on the life of “Blessed Maria Troncatti” – a call to serve. The life of Sr. Troncatti was deepened in two groups, where the materials was given to each and to read together, reflected and shared in the group.
On the fourth day, Sr. Annet Kaluka and Sr. Ireen Kapisha shared with the Sisters the Triennial Verification CIAM that took place in Makuyu Kenya from 16-21 January 2025. They highlighted on the proceedings of CIAM and shared one out of the five topics of Mother General Chiara Cazzuola’s talks: “For a future of the Charism” – A look at the origins, thinking about the future starting from the present.
Afterwards, Sr. Cecilia Motanya, the Provincial shared with the animators of the communities about the “importance of archiving” which will serve as the history of each community. She also urged and highlighted in areas that need to be improved.
Some of the days, the Animators visited the missions of the 3 communities in Lusaka and met the 4 candidates who are with the Sisters for ‘Come and See’ programme. On the last evening, before the goodnight by the Provincial, the Animators shared the missions of their communities.
The last day, after the Holy Mass, the animators once again met for the “2025 Provincial Plan”, presented and projected by Sr. Annet Kaluka. From here, there was time to discuss and share the way forward for the 2025 Community Plan. These formation days concluded with words of encouragements from the Provincial.
It was a special moment of grace for each Animator, a rich encounter of sharing, formative days and beautiful experiences to be together in order to be Mother Mazzarello in today’s reality – pilgrims of Hope among the youth.
