Aleluya! ...by Sr. Julian

“Aleluya” is Swahili for Alleluia. Our Tanzanian sisters are each an Aleluya!

Our community recently had a reunion with Sisters Beatrice and Redemista of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Agnes, Chipole, Tanzania. This was an Alleluia for us!

These two Sisters lived with us and attended school at nearby Saint Martin’s University, early this century. Sister Beatrice graduated and returned to Tanzania to serve in many ministries: teaching, congregation leadership, and formation. She currently serves as Prioress of St. Agnes, Chipole. Sister Redemista graduated and went to Leuven, Belgium to study canon law. She has visited us several times, and now serves her community as canon lawyer; she also serves as Major Superior of her congregation, which numbers more than eight hundred Sisters.

To have these Sisters come back and share with us the impact of their ministries, the growth of their congregation and the successful education of so many young people, has been a gift to our community and all who are involved in The Chipole Connection--a non-profit group organized to assist the Tanzanian community with financial aid, books and volunteers.

The culmination of their visit was a reception sponsored by St. Placid Priory in conjunction with Chipole Connection. Some fifty friends attended, including Abbot Neal, leader of Saint Martin’s community during the time Sister Redemista and Sister Beatrice were studying here, as well as several other monks from Saint Martin’s Abbey.

Br. Luke, Sr. Beatrice, Sr. Redemista & Abbot Neal

After Sisters Redemista and Beatrice graduated, Sisters Anamaria and Redempta came here to study, and later Sister Daniela. Our community helped the Sisters with their studies, with improving their English, and also assisted them with learning computer technology. They then returned to Tanzania to engage in a wide variety of ministries to serve their local people, such as teaching K through 12, parish ministry, health ministry, farming, and many more.

Sr. Redempta at the blackboard, and with students in the library

The last time Sr Redempta visited, a fundraiser held at the Priory raised enough money for a much needed school bus!

Sr. Redempta with the new bus at the Namtumbo English Medium School

What is most striking to me is what the Tanzanian sisters have given us. We have learned about a different culture, history and traditions. We have witnessed the Benedictine life that is lived on another continent. We have lived universality and diversity in the church and in the Benedictine monastic life with our Tanzanian sisters. And we are richer for it!

If you'd like to know more about the Tanzanian sisters, you may contact Sister Sonja Weber at the Priory, who now serves on the board of The Chipole Connection.