I am grateful to the Lord for His goodness to me, for the gift of life, vocation, his love and guidance. I thank the almighty God for the gift of my parents who brought me up in a Christian faith and allowed me to enter Consecrated life.
It is my great joy to share my experience of participating in the program of Formation for Mission which was organized by the General Government to empower the young religious of our congregation with missionary zeal and spirit, respectively in Rwanda and Tanzania. I thank God for my superiors who chose me to be part of this plan. Through this program, I learned various topics, which have helped me to grow spiritually, psychologically and even physically. Through the teachings, I was reminded several times that as a religious woman, I am encouraged to keep Jesus as center of my life, so that I become rooted in His love.
By encountering Jesus and through his countless graces I experienced deeper meaning of my religious life. If I am not in communion with God, I waste my time and life for nothing. I learned that a missionary is a tireless apostle who is willing to go out to all the people in order to invite them to encounter God and enter in communion with Him. I am convinced with the spirit of our Holy founder St. Vincent Pallotti who said “Nothing, nothing, but God, God in everything” (OOCC X 131). In prayer we “let it go, let come and be free,” meaning, in mission we have to let go something and receive what is found in the new mission and feel comfortable in serving the Lord. There is no consecrated life without mission (Mk16:15-16). Jesus Christ calls us all and send us out into the world to proclaim the good news.
As a religious, Mother Mary is my model through whom I learned humility, obedience and perseverance in faith, in order to succeed in any mission entrusted to me by the Congregation. As St. Augustine also teaches us that “Our Hearts are restless until they rest in God,” it is in doing the will of God that our souls find inner peace.
During this time, being together with my sisters from different countries, I experienced the joy of living in communion as an International and Intercultural community. In my personal and community prayer I get the grace of being open to God and sharing my joys and challenges to Jesus Christ my beloved one. Through prayer I get to know myself better, accept my weakness and the advice from others and develop my talents. This will enable me to deepen my relationship with God and others (Our Way of Life, 225).
I am enriched and enlightened to be a good missionary who is ready to serve God and his people just like a flowing river flexible to adjust to the rhythm of the nature. The various inputs that were given have encouraged me to never give up, as I struggle towards holiness. Knowing that God is with me in every step I take in a missionary journey. Just as a rose flower planted in the Pallottine community which is characterized by forgiveness, prayer, patience and joy, I wish to bloom where I am planted. To share the joy of religious life with people from different countries.
My inspiring phrase from the Bible is “I have the strength to do all things, through Christ who empowers me” (Phil.4:13). I am sure “God cannot send me where His graces cannot reach me.” I place my life at the service of the Church and the people of God.
Sr. Vérène Mukaseti, SAC
Our Lady of Kibeho Province, Rwanda
Photo by HOPESTUDIOSTZ
