This month marks the passing of our sister Valérie Madianganu, who died on September 4, 2026, in her 59th year, following an illness.
During this time of grief over the loss of a sister—but also a time of thanksgiving for all that she meant to the congregation and to the Church—the African Province marked this occasion with faith, prayer, and hope.
Since the 4th, prayers have been held in all the communities together with Christians for the repose of Sister’s soul. Many of our brothers and sisters—bishops, priests, religious sisters, our staff, our students, the sisters’ families, and the people of God—have joined the province in sharing this time of trial and sorrow.
In his message of condolence, Bishop Jean Crispin Kimbeni of Kisantu encouraged the sisters to hold on to hope:
Beyond the sadness that overwhelms us, the promise of immortality remains our comfort on the path of hope toward eternal life in God, who tells us through his Son, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live” (Jn 11:25).
And on the day of the funeral, Bishop Carlos Ndaka, in his homily, addressed Sister Valérie’s sisters and her biological family:
Based on our faith, we Christians pray and proclaim the only message that can bring hope in these times: the message of God’s Word. We who listen to the Word of God can never adopt an attitude of unbelief in the face of death, for through death God leads us to true life—eternal life.
Sr. Hermine Mutshili, ccv
