Scottish Catholic Observer

During this mission month, and as we mark Mission Sunday this weekend, it is useful to take a closer look at the missionaries. Who are they and what inspires them to devote their lives to mission work? Here is the personal reflection of Sr Veronica, a Teresian sister working in Zambia:

Looking back at my vocation story brings up fond memories of my life as a Teresian sister. I am Sr Veronica Edita Nyoni, aged 37 and coming from a family of 10. I am the third born daughter and we are five boys and five girls. What a fantastic ratio? God’s ways are ever beautiful.

My parents are the ones that introduced me to the Catholic faith. They are both Catholics. With this background, I have always cherished the fact of being a Christian. Christ has always been at the centre of my religious call. In fact, I feel very much fulfilled with continuing the work that Jesus left.

During my childhood, I never cherished the idea of becoming a nun. Other dreams dominated my mind. I very much wanted to be a musician. However, in high school, it came to my attention that, ‘to be a musician,’ was such a delicate vocation that would attract a lot of attention and often prone to lose good morals. It was then that I made a U-turn and longed to do social work through promotion of the Christian voice. All these were mere dreams and I came to have a strong passion for reaching out to the poor and vulnerable in our society.

When I was in secondary school, I participated in a number of Church related groups such as the School Choir and the Little Way Association (LWA). I loved singing and taking part in reading the Word of God at Masses. It was during this involvement in the church that I felt being drawn to become a religious sister. While in Grade 12, I seriously started thinking about how best I could reach out to the community without any hindrances. It was then that I attended a retreat of aspirants that wanted to join the Teresian Sisters. We were 30 girls that attended this retreat.

Eventually, I joined the Teresian Sisters in 1997 because I was inspired by the life of St Therese of the Child Jesus as well as the work the Teresian Sisters were doing in the Church. Their charism of liberating captives of all kinds was the motivating factor. I personally felt that I could easily reach out to the needy in society. The simple life style and commitment by the sisters left a deep impression on me. Thus, I made my first religious profession in 1999 and made my final vows in 2007.

“Go therefore, make disciples of all nations,” is the sole principle that we Teresian Sisters follow. We are called by Jesus Christ to be with him and be sent to proclaim his Gospel message of Liberation (Matthew 11: 4-5).

Founded in 1929 by Bishop Mathurino Guilleme, the Teresian Sisters are a local congregation present in Zambia and Malawi. A Teresian sister spends most of her time in Prayer in order to know Christ whom she is drawn to Love and Serve. This is clearly seen when a Teresian Sister makes her profession in the vows of poverty, obedience and chastity.

As liberators, Teresian Sisters are sensitive to the needs of the local church and are assigned to administrative work, social work, health ministry and education ministry. A Teresian Sister devotes herself in building a better world where there will be peace, justice, love and unity.

Finally, when I look back at my vocation story, I realise that it has been a journey of soul searching and a journey of faith centred on Jesus Christ. There have been times when I have felt disillusioned but have always been inspired by a Scripture verse in John 6: 68, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of Eternal Life.” This has been a reliable source of encouragement. As a teacher, I am also able to reach out to many vulnerable children through my teaching career and have a child at my heart. In collaboration with all missionaries and my fellow Teresian Sisters, we remain committed to giving a Catholic touch wherever we are and take Jesus Christ as our model.

Through the intercession of St Therese of the Child Jesus, may God bless the new branch of our Missions, St Columbas Secondary School in Lusaka West that shall be managed by the Teresian Sisters. Thank you.

We may not be able to take an active part in Sr Veronica’s mission but through prayer (regular and sincere) and sharing what we can by spending a little less on ourselves, we can help make an impact on the work of missionaries in the poorest parts of the world.

—Visithttp://www.missio.scot. Contact and donate to: Missio Scotland, St Andrews, 4 Laird Street, Coatbridge ML5 3LJ Tel. 01236 449774