Little Sisters of St Francis take perpetual vows, celebrate jubilees

The Little Sisters of St Francis (locally referred to as the Sisters of Nkonkonjeru) have started the New Year with even greater joy after getting 10 new life members. 

The religious institute has also received 16 new jubilarians, 1 of whom celebrated 25 years, and the other six, 50 years in religious life.

The respective Sisters recommitted themselves to the evangelical counsels of religious poverty, chastity and obedience during the institute’s professions celebration, which took place at Nkokonjeru Convent (the Mother House of the Little Sisters of St Francis), in Buikwe District on Monday, January 6, 2025.

The Solemn Pontifical Mass was presided over by Lugazi Bishop Christopher Kakooza.

The spectacle of the mass was highly elevated by the presence of Kampala Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, Bishop Lawrence Mukasa of Kasana-Luwero and Bishop Joseph Eciru Oliach of Soroti.

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere pays tribute to the Little Sisters of St Francis. (Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

Delivering his homily during mass, Kakooza reminded the Little Sisters of their call to take Jesus’ love and salvation to all the ends of the earth.

He also asked the laity to recommit themselves to their baptismal obligations, that is, forsaking Satan and totally surrendering to the tenets and will of God.

“If we want to see God, we must become a visible sign of love for others. God sent us his son Jesus Christ to teach us how to love. We demonstrate God’s love by loving others,” Kakooza said.

The Superior General of the Little Sisters of St Francis, Mother Rita Christine Nakitende, congratulated the Sisters for their devotion and loyalty to God, the congregation and the Church. She thanked all those who have supported the institute and the work of the Sisters in one way or another.

Sr Pauline Namuddu, who represented the ‘Brides’ thanked the parents for producing them, nurturing them and allowing them to become religious Sisters.

She asked Christians to encourage their children to join the congregation, but also, never to discourage or forbid their young ones when they express their desire to embrace consecrated life.

The prelates including Ssemogerere, Eciru and Mukasa spoke highly of the catechetical, educational and health ministry of the Little Sisters of St Francis.

The Little Sisters of St Francis, who celebrated 25 years in religious life cut cake. This was during the institute's professions celebration at Nkokonjeru Convent, in Buikwe district on January 6, 2025. (Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

The brides of the Lord

The 10 Sisters who took their perpetual vows are Rev Sr Mary Harriet Alako, Sr Mary Susan Namuliika, Sr Mary Resty Namusobya, Sr Mary Bernadette Nambogo, Sr Mary Bernadette Nawajji, Sr Mary Betty Namusabi, Sr Mary Patricia Among Tendo, Sr Beatrice Harriet Ajeso, Sr Mary Sylvia Namono and Sr Mary Glorious Turyasingura.

The 11 Sisters who celebrated 25 years in religious life, include Sr Mary Jane Harriet Nansubuga, Sr Mary Harriet Nakkazi, Sr Mary Olivia Achan, Sr Mary Antony Luyiga, Sr Mary Josephine Namuddu Namugerwa, Sr Rosemary Kakwezi, Sr Mary Bernadette Nakubulwa, Sr Mary Madrine Mukaluziga, Sr Mary Susan Tibasiima, Sr Mary Christine Nakayiza, and Sr Mary Florence Nalumu.

The golden jubilarians (who celebrated 50 years in religious life) include Sr Mary Theopista Namirembe, Sr Ann Christine Auma, Sr Mary Stephania Nalubowa, Mother Mary Pauline Namuddu, and Sr Mary Anthonia Namuli.

The respective jubilarians had the privilege of getting the Apostolic Blessing of St Francis, which was handed over to them by Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere and Mother Rita Christine Nakitende.