Touching Ceremony of Temporary and Perpetual Vows at Ste Thérèse de Ndjili, Kinshasa

In a ceremony full of spirituality and joy, last Saturday, August 26, 2023, Sisters Francine Sindani, Jeannette Kabeya and Edith Sumbu Metelo pronounced their religious vows in the congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna of the Province of Africa. The event took place in the parish of Ste Thérèse de Ndjili, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo and was a transcendental moment both for the professed sisters and for the Vedruna Family that surrounds them.

The Eucharistic celebration, which marked this important milestone in the life of our sisters, was presided over by the respected His Holiness Msgr. Jean Pierre Kwabamba, Bishop of the Diocese of Kenge. The atmosphere was charged with solemnity and spirituality, as several priests, including those from the Archdiocese of Kinshasa, joined in witnessing this significant step in the life of the religious.

Sister Maguy Mbima, Provincial of Africa, played a central role in receiving the vows on behalf of the Mother. This emotional moment symbolized the dedication and commitment of the professed sisters to their vocation and to the community to which they now belong in an even deeper way.

Family members, fellow religious, friends and acquaintances surrounded the Sisters on this special day. The presence and support of their loved ones added a touch of warmth to the ceremony, and demonstrated that these individual decisions are also celebrated and shared by the wider community.

At the end of the ceremony, the three sisters expressed with joy and emotion their gratitude for the path they have chosen and for the community in which they have found a spiritual home. Their words resonated with the commitment and hope they carry with them as they continue their journey as members of our Vedruna Family.

The religious celebration concluded with a festive gathering in the multi-purpose hall of the parish. The guests shared a meal that was accompanied by music and some dance steps. This celebratory atmosphere was a perfect way to thank God for the love that guides their lives and for the generous gift of the sisters who have given their lives to a higher purpose.

In short, this day will be marked as a day of deep spirituality, shared joy and religious commitment in the congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna of the Province of Africa. Sisters Francine Sindani, Jeannette Kabeya and Edith Sumbu Metelo have begun a new chapter in their lives, and the surrounding community celebrates with gratitude and hope.