FMDM SA
Sharing our Life and Mission in Mater Community, Bulawayo ZIMBABWE. To read click here News from Bulawayo
Chapel in Convent at Victoria FallsVictoria Falls ZIMBABWE. To read about our life and mission, click here Novitiate Community in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe. To read click here Early beginnings of FMDM history in Zimbabwe
FMDM Southern Africa (FMDM SA) comprises the former FMDM regions of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Born as a moment of grace during the Extraordinary Congregational Chapter of Mats in Assisi in Italy in January 2017, the sisters living in Zambia and Zimbabwe embraced the task of actualising this Moment of Grace until it became a reality. FMDMSA Gathering
Novitiate Comunity, Clare, Prisca, Consilia, Martha, Balbina, Ruth
Postulants (L – R) Muchengwa, Charity, Grace, Theresa, MariaFMDM SA has 5 communities 2 of which are houses of Formation – the Postulancy at St Anthony in Lusaka Zambia, and the Novitiate at Laverna in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe. The other communities are Mater Dei in Bulawayo Zimbabwe, St Francis in Kasanka Zambia and Rieti in Lusaka Zambia. There are five nationalities of the sisters which makes for a truly rich community life and witness of oneness in Christ.
The sisters continue to live out the FMDM charism and mission among the people of Zimbabwe and Zambia – bringing forth Christ into this beautiful but broken part of Southern Africa.
FMDM SA is uniquely blessed to be the home of the congregation’s novitiate for Africa. Postulants come from Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe for this sacred stage of initial formation.
In the history and journey of the congregation, Zambia is the very first place the congregation went to outside of Europe in 1946. Now 73+ years on FMDMs continue to witness to Christ’s love and compassion among the poor and most vulnerable. Jesus words to his disciples at Bethany are still spot on, “You will always have the poor among you,” John 12: 8 (NIV)
FMDM Zambia / Early beginnings
In 1946 four sisters traveled to Northern Rhodesia (present day Zambia) and set up a hospital in Kasaba, Luapula Province to look after people suffering from Hansen’s disease (leprosy). From this very Franciscan ministry we have branched out into many forms of service.
Today our sisters, in Lusaka and Kasanka, see the circumstances of women, of young people and the whole impact of HIV/Aids as the most urgent needs in Zambian society. We have adapted to respond to these needs through education, care of orphaned children, home-based care of those living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
As in all our regions throughout the world our communities in Zambia are very international and multicultural giving a richness to our primary call of witnessing to living together in simplicity and peace.
FMDM ZAMBIA: Click on highlighted link. www.asec-sldi.net/zam0023/index.php
JUBILEE CELEBRATION of our Life and Mission in ZAMBIA for 70 years
16 September 2017: Silver Jubilee in Hwange, Zimbabwe Silver Jubilee celebration for Srs Teclar & Yeyani
14 October 2017: Silver Jubilee in Zambia Silver Jubilee celebration of Sr Judith Mwango
28 November 2015: Final Profession of Sr Agness Chisenga In Zambia
6 December 2014: Final Profession of Sr Gracious Champo Ng’andwe