Compassion: Sister Monicah of Botswana, cont.

Sister Monicah of Botswana, page four

One problem facing the Church in Botswana is the loss of many young people to the Pentecostals. The Catholic Church is working hard to hold on to the youth and keep them from losing their faith. Sister Monicah joined a youth group in Gabane Village that come together to share the gospel and other activities. One of the complaints of young people, she says, is that in the church only a priest can preach and no one else is given time to share what they have. In Sister Monicah's Bible study group the young have an opportunity to share what they know about the gospel.

Mother Mary Joseph Sister Monicah has great hope for the future of the Passionist Sisters in Botswana. She believes that other young people, seeing her and Sister Botshela, will have the courage to come and share the Passionist charism and the Passionist life. Her hope is that more young people will come and that the Congregation will grow. She told her companions in Argentina:

"If we can continue to gather like this, to support and encourage one another, the Congregation will not die and the spirit of Mother Mary Joseph, our foundress, will be kept."

Sister Monicah's message for Passionists around the world?

"I encourage them to continue to be compassionate to God's people. Today Jesus is crucified in different ways, so let us stand at the foot of his cross. Let us not run away from the risks and the challenges. Remember, he faced them for the sake of doing God's will. Through the intercession of St. Paul of the Cross and Mother Mary Joseph, I pray that the spirit of God may continue to direct us to the right way. My great message is that we should not forget to pray for the whole Congregation so that we will go to the crucified of today and bring them the love and joy of the cross."

above, right: Mother Mary Joseph, foundress of the Sisters of the Cross and Passion

beginning of article

Passionists in Africa • Congo • Botswana • Japan
Passionist Sisters Meet • What Can We Offer?
Jesus Carries His Cross • The Last Sermon
Editor's Note • Act with Compassion

Sign of the Passion