The Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan, M. Afr., Catholic Bishop of Wa Diocese has urged members of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI) Congregation to strive to be patient and remain faithful to the final commitment of profession they had made to the Lord.
Addressing the faithful, Priests and Religious at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Daffiama on the feast of the Assumption on August 15, 2004, he said “We have been fortunate and blessed to be celebrating two event that we want to give thanks to the Lord.”
The first event is the Assumption of Mother Mary into heaven and the second event is the making of the final vows to Religious life by three of the SMI Sisters.
The Bishop urged the people to celebrate and jubilate with them but above all to be witnesses, to that commitment they are making to the one that has called them.
Bishop Bomansaan said he found it very courageous to the three Sisters when they responded to the call from the SMI Superior General Sr. Christina Pogbeyire. They said, “We have come to known in your religious community the difficulty and the joy of the religious life and we now asked to be allowed to make our final profession of vows.”
Based on their own pronouncement, Bishop Francis asked the three Sisters: “What attracted you to the SMI Sisters? Why are you staying back instead of going away? What is the biggest gift or assets you are bringing to the SMI Congregation?
Following their responses to Bishop’s questions was “it is their simplicity that attracted me to join the SMI Congregation. Secondly for the continual personal certification of myself and thirdly the biggest asses is my whole self I has brought to the congregation.” Said Sr. Hagar Zuuri.
Sr. Joyce Dikumwin responded that the zeal and dedication the SMI had towards the service of the people attracted her to join them.
“The reaching out to the vulnerable in society attracted me to join the SMI Congregation. Secondly, with the challenges and the joy that they live entails yet I founds fulfilment to continue. I brought myself wholeheartedly including my personalities, talent and limitations as well to the Congregation,” said Sr. Evelyn Aawona.
Bishop Bomansaan entreated the people of God to support Sisters in their journey and advised the professed Sisters to hold onto what they each shared.
It is a day to remember because of the inspiration, the courage and the energy we get from the feast of the Assumption from Mother Mary, the Bishop stated.
This celebration is a unique privilege given to Mary for her unwavering of her steadfast yes to God. Mary tried in her own way to be steadfast yes to the one who called her. Her fidelity and perseverance in and to her yes to God.
According to the Wa Bishop, these Sisters made their perpetual vows to the one who called them, making a vows to the one they have been journeying with, and a vow of fidelity in perseverance.
“Committing oneself to God does not mean one would not meet challenges,” said the Bishop.
Advising the three Sisters, Bishop added, “You are promising the Lord to remain faithful and to persevere in your yes to him, as you know the joy and challenges to the religious life and yet committing yourself to it.”
“Therefore strive to remain faithful and to persevere. In your own steadfast yes to the Lord, commit yourself totally to the Lord as Mary did. And Mary remained a model and continue to intercede for us because she knows it is not easy to commit oneself to God.”
He cautioned the Religious to be faithful to their call despite all the struggles and challenges in life because Religious life was not about convenience.
To be able to be of service to other people, you have to be ready for fatigue to be tired and not being appreciated. He admonished them not to look for praises in what they do or be appreciated if looking for these it means we are in the wrong vocation and we will get frustrated.
He added, “As Religious, if we want to be of service to people we need to be patience. The life we have chosen to remain faithful and persevere we need patience, to be of serve to people, to minister to people, we need patience.”
Concelebrating the Mass was the Parish Priest of Daffiama Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Rev. Fr. Peter Nolasco Naab who welcomed the people most especially the Bishop
By Sr. Gloria Duongnaa, SMI (Sister Communicator)
