The 18 novices renewed their faith and made a vow to chastity, poverty, and obedience before being dressed in a veil and a cap that has 6 buttons, the first 3 buttons representing the trinity, and the last 3 buttons represent the vows they have just made, a sign that they are now sisters.
The
congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church has
received 18 new sisters. The colorful ceremony was held on Saturday and was
led by Bishop Sanctus Lino Wanok, the Bishop of Lira Diocese.
The 18 novices renewed their
faith and made a vow to chastity, poverty, and obedience before being dressed in
a veil and a cap that has 6 buttons, the first 3 buttons representing the
trinity, and the last 3 buttons represent the vows they have just made, a sign
that they are now sisters.
They are
from the diocese of Kabale, Lira, Masaka, and Archdiocese of Mbarara. The
vows were made for one year after which they are required to renew their vows
in accordance with the constitution of the Missionary Institute of Mary Mother of
the Church.
Bishop Wanok
called on the sisters to emulate the Virgin Mary by upholding unity and
re-think their mission in the world and fighting the anti-Christ.
//Cue in: “The virginity of…
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the whole church.”//
He also
advised them to focus on the service of God saying once a vow is made, there is
no turning back.
//Cue in: “Today,
the creative power…
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grace and truth.”//
Rev. Sr. Sophia
Asiimwe, the Superior General thanked the parents for their continuous support
to the sisters even when they are already part of the church. She encouraged
the new novices and their parents to remain faithful in serving the Lord by improving
on the quality of their lives.
//Cue in:
“Our biggest desire now…
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the Lord desires.”//
Gerald
Tusiime, a parent to one of the novices thanked the other parents for
sacrificing their daughters to serve the Lord advised the religious women to
remain strong in carrying the cross of Lord Jesus Christ.
//Cue in: “I
would like to
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lifetime vow.”//
The
congregation whose origin is in Lira Diocese was initiated by late Bishop
Caesar Asili, the first Bishop of Lira Diocese in 1970 with only 14 sisters
from the Diocese of Arua and