Franciscan Sisters Empowering Lives in Madisi: A Visit Inspires Continued Support

The Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary and Jesus at Our Lady of Victory Madisi Parish is making a profound impact on the lives of vulnerable communities in Dowa District, Malawi.

Guided by the charism of their Foundress, Mother Clara Pfaender, the sisters are providing hope and transforming the lives of the needy, elderly, and orphans through a wide range of initiatives.

This dedication was recently highlighted during a three-day visit by delegations from Germany, Indonesia, and Rome, led by Auxiliary Bishop Mathias König of Paderborn, Germany.

After inspecting the projects, Auxiliary Bishop Mathias König expressed his admiration and happiness for the work the sisters are doing at Madisi Parish in uplifting people’s lives.

The delegation, which toured the Sisters’ projects including St. Francis Primary School, a kindergarten, and community outreach programs, was deeply impressed by the dedication and impact of their efforts.

“First of all, we had the chance to look a little bit around the country when going up to Benga, seeing Balaka, and now here Dowa in (Madisi), you have a wonderful country with a landscape and with all the variety we saw, with wonderful people, especially young people thriving for a better life, working hard. This was one of the most impressive things we got to see. On the other hand, we saw the work that the sisters have done here, we went to school, we went to the kindergarten, we saw the gardens, the hostel, and everything, and that was also very important to see what I’ve heard about for the last 20 years,” said Bishop König.

The visit by the international delegations has not only highlighted the remarkable work of the Franciscan Sisters but has also generated renewed interest and support for their mission. Bishop König and other delegates have pledged to share their experiences with their communities, inspiring further support for the sisters’ efforts and fostering stronger international partnerships.

His Lordship also shared that “the sisters’ dedication to education, evident in their schools and the innovative use of bamboo as an alternative to firewood, is commendable. This not only addresses deforestation but also promotes environmental sustainability and provides valuable life skills to the students.”

Bishop König further emphasized the importance of fostering a two-way exchange.

“We’ve welcomed Malawian volunteers to Germany, and they have enriched our communities,” he stated. “This is a true testament to the power of human connection and the importance of building bridges between our nations.”

In her speech during their visit to St. Francis School, Sister Klara Luers, Administrator for the Congregation, emphasized the enduring commitment to the vision of their Foundress.

“It was always our Mission’s desire to present in Madisi/Malawi the Charism of our Foundress Mother Clara Pfaender. I believe that she inspired us to commit ourselves more to the needs of the time when we started to build a primary school and a kindergarten for our orphans and needy children in our catchment area,” said Sister Klara Luers.

Sister Rayneda Saragih, Administrator of St. Francis Primary School expressed gratitude for the delegation’s visit.

“Their presence has been incredibly motivating,” she said. “It provides valuable insights on how we can further enhance our educational and other projects, and it also helps us to raise awareness about the needs of our community on an international level.”

Parish Priest for Madisi Catholic Parish, Father Andrew Kholowa expressed his appreciation for the sisters’ invaluable contributions and pledged continued support for their endeavors.

The Franciscan Sisters’ impact extends beyond education, encompassing support for the elderly, provision of housing for the needy, and environmental conservation through a bamboo project. St. Francis School currently serves approximately 1,700 students, with orphans comprising around 60% of the student body.

The delegation also visited and walk around the premises of Our Lady of Victory Madisi Parish, Madisi Hospital, and also visited Mtawa Primary School in Village Head Nzira, Traditional Authority Chakhaza in Dowa which was built by the Franciscan Sisters.