Sisters of St. Mary of Namur

Sr. Immaculee Mukabugabo, SSMN, our newly elected Superior General We awoke this morning with the good news of the election of our new Superior General, Sr. Immaculee Mukabugabo. She is one of our Rwandan sisters and has served as one of the Councilors on the outgoing Council. We are grateful to God and to S. Immaculee, who responded to this call. This is a special moment for the Congregation as it is the first time our Superior General comes from the Southern hemisphere - namely the continent of Africa.

This came via one of our Texan sisters... right on!

After Sr. Immaculee's election, she and the delegates return to the Chapel in Namur and are joined by the Belgian sisters. Then each one of them greets Sr. Immaculee

Sr. Immaculee Mukabugabo, SSMN, our newly elected Superior General We awoke this morning with the good news of the election of our new Superior General, Sr. Immaculee Mukabugabo. She is one of our Rwandan sisters and has served as one of the Councilors on the outgoing Council. We are grateful to God and to S. Immaculee, who responded to this call. This is a special moment for the Congregation as it is the first time our Superior General comes from the Southern hemisphere - namely the continent of Africa.

Every six years, our international congregation has a General Chapter during which delegates from all our provinces and regions meet in Belgium and together, reflecting on the needs of our congregation, world and Church, plan the focus of our ministries for the next six years. Then, in view of that, elect our international leadership team which will implement the Chapter's decisions. The delegates have been sharing their experiences from our diverse countries and searching f...or the way forward for the next six years. Today, Friday, they are in retreat and tomorrow morning, July 20, 2019, after the Mass of the Holy Spirit, they will elect our new Superior General. The election of the Councillors who will work with her, will follow in the coming days. Please pray to the Holy Spirit during these important and exciting days. We awoke Saturday morning with the good news of the election of our new Superior General, Sr. Immaculee Mukabugabo. She is one of our Rwandan sisters and has served as one of the Councilors on the outgoing Council. We are grateful to God and to S. Immaculee, who responded to this call. This is a special moment for the Congregation as it is the first time our Superior General comes from the Southern hemisphere - namely the continent of Africa.

La RDC a trente et six-mille visages à offrir au monde entier plaisir de s'y rendre et s'installer une bonne fois pour toutes. Eh oui,du plaisir à couper le souffle! RDC,très très très paradisiaque...

Prayers for Cameroon please - where there is ongoing danger where, you recall, the English speaking areas (West) are trying to separate from the French speaking areas. Two sisters are in an area where there is violence and indiscriminate burning of homes. This forced the closure of the main roads for the month of February. There is some indication that the roads will be open and we pray that our sisters will be able to travel to a safer area. Please pray for the safety of our sisters as well as the many innocent victims in this conflict.

This Sunday, January 6th, is the Feast of the Epiphany. This is a reflection prepared for our website by our Sr. Ann Marie Grasso: Epiphany of Our Lord Matthew2:1-12... I never fully realized just how many stars can light up a sky until my time in Africa. On any given night, by simply stepping outside of our small convent in Kingala Matele, in the Congo, you would be treated to a breath- taking view of hundreds of these tiny lights. I can only imagine the sheer joy of the Magi discovering one out-shining all the others that would lead them on a search to find the newborn King of the Jews. Their journey was long yet guided. And it took all the courage and determination they had to not give up hope and avoid stumbling blocks along the way. But in time, God’s time, they were greatly rewarded for their eyes beheld the gift of the Christ child in the flesh. And that ‘gift’ was extended beyond Israel. God cannot be contained by one people, one nation. Christ the Light was given for all on that sacred night; given for all seekers. Our Christian journey is like that of the Magi. No, there will not be stars in the heavens to gaze upon, direct, or guide us but within each and everyone of us God’s Spirit will show us the way to the fullness of life. And on route manifestations of God’s will for us will be discovered through family, work, community. As we diligently search, we recognize him in the everydayness of life; in the simplest of our brothers and sisters; on dark and rainy days as well as sun filled ones. There will always be challenges and setbacks on route and choices to make but not without the in-breaking of God’s wisdom to help us. The journey is long.a life time of searching. And we will be tempted to try other paths, to veer off course. But for those who are not faint hearted, but steadfast, and faithful, the reward is eternal: beholding the face of God forever. Sister Ann Marie Grasso

The Congolese Election Commission postponed the elections until December 30th. Among other problems, 80% of the machines were destroyed in a warehouse fire. Please continue your prayers for safe and valid elections.

Please PRAY for Congo's elections Sunday, Dec 23rd