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 published: 2006-03-28

"Here I am Lord, because you have called me…"

Clothing of three novices in Burundi

 

Vestición de tres novicias en Mutumba, Burundi

Clothing of three novices in Mutumba, Burundi

Einkleidung von drei Novizinnen in Mutumba, Burundi

 

Lago Tangañika y Sierra de Congo

Lake Tanganyika and Congo Mountains

Tanganjika-See und Kongo-Berge

 

Procesción a la iglesia

Procession to the church

Auf dem Weg zur Kirche

 

Mons. Evariste, Hna Jacoba, Hna Pia-Marit

Bishop Evariste, Sr. Jacoba, Sr. Pia-Marit

Bischof Evariste, Schwester Jacoba, Schwester Pia-Marit

 

Baile de alegría

Dancing with joy

Tanzen vor lauter Freude

 

Una azucena para cada novicia

A lily for each novice

Eine Lilie für jede Novizin

 

Comida festiva

Festive dinner

Festmahl

Albúm de Fotos – Photo album – Fotoalbum

Fotos: Seitzer © 2006

 

 

 

BURUNDI, Sister M Lisette Seitzer. A Sunday morning of radiant sunshine after a day of rain…Nature showed itself in all its splendor. Tanganyica Lake and the mountains of the Congo on the other side of the lake resplendent beneath the morning sun. In the Shrine and in front of it, relatives waited for the three novices, who would give themselves totally to God on this day. All of a sudden an expression of astonishment was heard among them. "Here they come!"

"The wedding of God!", exclaimed a little boy when he saw the three novices with their long white dresses and their veil, which gave a nuptial aspect. Tears ran down one girl’s cheeks, because she was so moved by the scene. The novices entered the Shrine, followed by Sister M. Jacoba Kesselheim, the superior general of the community, Sister M. Mattia Amrhein, assistant of the English speaking area and of Burundi, and by the Sisters of the Council of the Community in Burundi. They remained in silent prayer until the Bishop, Monsignor Evariste Ngoyagoye and the pastor of Mutumba arrived. The novices presented a brief prayer to the Blessed Mother and the Bishop blessed them.

Then they left leading the procession towards the parish church, accompanied by children, who were dressed in white and who belong to Schoenstatt groups, followed by the Sisters, the relatives, the pastor, and the bishop. On the way the choir of the catechists sang "Here I am Lord, because you have called me…I have come to do your will". Many children lined the road and they tried to get the novices to at least look at those who were closer. When this happened their faces lighted up.

Around four thousand people accompanied the novices

Around 10:00 a.m., the novices entered the large parish church and the ceremony began in the presence of some four thousand people. Eleven priests concelebrated the Eucharist presided by the bishop. All the school of catechists formed a choir that sang with enthusiasm. Of course, there had to be drums. In the homily the bishop took the readings of the day and he spoke about the road of redemption, which is a road of covenant with God, it is walking in the Ten Commandments. This road led Christ to Jerusalem, to Calvary where he gave up his life for us and he sacrificed himself so that we can reach the eternal happiness. It is a road of peace, a road of salvation that we should and can travel in and with Christ. The three novices have decided with valor to follow this road of unselfish service, this road of humility. The bishop spoke directly to the youth: "You see the Sisters here. They follow Christ to collaborate with him in the redemption of men. The Blessed Mother followed this road when she said her yes to the will of God". And I ask you, especially the youth, to have the courage to also say yes to the will of God and to decide to follow Christ.

A great moment

Before the rite of investiture the bishop asked Sister Jacoba to say a few words, which she did gladly. The bishop himself translated her words into Kirundi. She expressed how happy she was at this moment and of living to see this great day. She communicated that all the International Family of the Sisters accompanied the novices with their prayers. Then the bishop began with the rite of investiture. Sister Jacoba invited the novices to come close to the altar to offer themselves totally to God. She spoke in French, and Sister Pia Marit in Kirundi. The novices went to the altar and received the dress, the cincture, the candle, the medal and a lighted candle from the hands of the bishop, who received them from Sister Jacoba. It was a great moment and you could feel that all eyes and ears were directed on this great event.

When the novices left the church to change, the bishop again directed himself to the youth and he asked them if they had seen and understood what had just happened before their eyes. He expressed that he wished that in the future, many of them would come close to the altar to give themselves to God.

A dance as an expression of the spontaneous joy

Afterwards, the Creed was sung and the prayer of the faithful was recited. During the offertory the novices came out of the sacristy wearing their new Sisters’ dresses, and when they entered the church everyone again greeted them and congratulated them with applause. They took the gifts to the altar. The holy Mass continued. During communion, the novices received it under both species on the steps of the altar, and then they helped to distribute communion. In this country where there are so few priests – in Mutumba there are only two priests for 60,000 Catholics – all the Sisters who wear a religious dress can distribute communion.

Suddenly there was a strong thunderstorm that shook the sheet metal roof. In Burundi rain always means a special blessing, it is never a bother. But surely, many prayers were offered so that this rain would stop when it was time to leave the church. Everyone in attendance including the three novices expressed their joy with a dance during the time of thanksgiving. The bishop concluded the ceremony with the blessing and everyone sang in honor of Mary. Since it was still raining, some of the invited went by bus to the Movement House. It stopped raining soon and Mutumba became radiant beneath the rays of the sun. In front of the Movement Center, where a festive meal was offered, three girls presented white lilies to the novices. Then they passed through the arch of triumph towards the Center and they received the greeting from their relatives.

During the meal Sister Jacoba expressed gratitude above all to the parents who gave their daughters to God through the community of the Sisters of Mary. She also spoke of the brother of one of the novices, Father Othmar (a Schoenstatt Father) and mayor of this place. The final words were given by the bishop. He again expressed gratitude to everyone who collaborated with their contribution to make this feast a great day of thanksgiving. With great joy, most of those who attended left, while the closest relatives continued to celebrate with the novices. Many felt inclined to make extra visits to the Shrine to heartily express their gratitude.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA


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