Tanzania (since 1972) Part 1
Decision to do missionary work At the General Chapter of 1963, the Polish sisters suggested that the missionary idea be given more prominence in the congregation. The topic was discussed in detail and offers from Africa and Brazil had already been received. However, the sisters were warned from various quarters against hasty deployment in an unfamiliar culture and pointed out the importance of good training and preparation. For the time being, therefore, they only included the missionary concern in the new version of the constitutions. They did not see this as a new field of work, but wanted to continue the original task of their founder, to take care of women and girls as well as people in need in the mission. The next general chapter in 1969 took up this concern again and made the decision to send sisters to Africa. Tanzania Three years later, sisters from the three Polish provinces began missionary work in Tanzania. The first station in Kilimarondo, which opened in 1972 and closed again after almost 20 years, was followed by two more in Nanjota and Chikukwe, which still exist today. In 1990 the congregation opened a novitiate, from which 15 African professed sisters emerged by 1998. In 1988, it obtained state registration, which enabled it to own the land and houses of its branches in Nanjota and Chikukwe. Dioceses The branches of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate were in different dioceses. When they were founded, the first two stations in Kilimarondo and Nanjota belonged to the Nachingwea diocese, of which the Salvatorian Father Arnold Cotey was bishop. In February 1984, Polykarp Pengo became the first local bishop to take over the Nachingwea diocese. He was ordained bishop on January 6, 1984 in St. Peter's Basilica by Pope John Paul II. During his stay in Rome he also visited the Generalate and asked for more Sisters of Mary to be sent to Tanzania. He pointed out that the problem of young women in Africa was a burning one. In the mid-1980s, the dioceses in Tanzania were reorganized, and the Nachingwea diocese was dissolved. Kilimarondo now belonged to the diocese of Lindi, led by Bishop Maurus Libaba and since 1991 Bishop Bruno Ngonyani. Nanjota and Chikukwe belonged to the diocese of Tunduru-Masasi, which Bishop Pengo took over. In 1992 Pengo became Archbishop of Dar es Salaam and in 1998 Cardinal. Since 1992, Bishop Magnus Mwalunyungu had been the new head of his former diocese of Tunduru-Masasi. Regional superiors In order to represent the common concerns of the branches in Tanzania vis-à-vis the church and state authorities and to maintain contact with the general administration in Rome, a regional superior was required. On December 8, 1990, Sister M. Viannea Parchatko was appointed Regional Superior. On July 1, 1997, after returning to Poland, Sister M. Vianneya Rogowska took over this position. (Johannes Mertens, “Geschichte der Kongregation der Marienschwestern von der Unbefleckten Empfängnis“, Volume 2, pp. 622-624)
Portrait of Sister Dulcissima – testimony
One day, Sr. Małgorzata Cur from the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate from Brzezie called me. She expressed her desire for a picture of the handmaid of God, Sr. Dulcissima, to be created, because only a few photos are preserved, and only on some of them Sr. Dulcissima is in her monastic habit. The photos were of very poor quality, but I figured I had painted various portraits so many times that I wouldn't have a problem with that either. I know that preparing a portrait of saints or blessed is a deep, spiritual adventure and an invitation to an exceptional friendship. Painting is also a spiritual journey into oneself. This was also the case with the work on the portraits of Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus, Blessed Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński or Blessed Chiara Luce Badano. Together with Małgorzata, we chose one photo, which was supposed to be a model for painting the portrait. As always, I started my work by making a drawing, a sketch that I had to stick to when painting. However, problems have already started here. The photo showed a dozen of sisters standing in one shot and despite the large magnification, it was very blurry ... The faces were illegible and even blurry ... the religious habits were visible only in the general outline. I was wondering how to work on something like this? After all, it's impossible to take a portrait of the person I see in a fog. I did not want to be discouraged at the very beginning, I tried to continue drawing ... In the meantime, Sister Małgorzata sent me pictures of sisters in religious habit from those times, so that I could better see the details of the veil, habit and their elements ... However, my priority was the eyes. It's just that the eyes were in the shadow in the photo and in addition all the photos were of course black and white ... I started to get nervous ... At the beginning of my contact with my sister, it seemed to me that it was a problem to make another portrait, now I had a problem, and a serious one. The work went on, but it was very slow and not very effective. I rescued myself with other photos of Sister Dulcissima, taken before she entered the congregation. Some of Helena Hoffmann's photos were a bit clearer and the eyes could be seen better. However, I know that the gaze changes with human maturity, especially spiritual ... and with suffering that ennobles the soul. After all, the eyes are the mirror of the soul. I wanted to get to know God's handmaid better. It was a turning point. I started reading materials about Sister Dulcissima and ... I asked her to let me paint herself and to help me with that ... The portrait was almost ready ... I took two steps back and ... I was sad to see that the nun I painted is not Helena Hoffmann, she is not Sister Maria Dulcissima ... I was helpless ... What was there to be done? Desperate, I asked Sister Małgorzata to pray. The sisters prayed and even ordered a mass. for the personal painter Sr. Dulcissima - that's what Sr. Małgorzata called me. Personal? It was the first time that I had tears of emotion ... I felt that I was undergoing some inner cleansing and that Sr. Dulcissima became very close to me ... I started working on the face of God's servant all over again. Then I had an impression, which turned into such a conviction that all the time Sister Dulcissima kept her hand on mine and helped me paint herself. It was an experience I had never had before. It was liberating from the artist's own ego, who first and foremost trusts in his artistic abilities ... and here we had to trust the intercession of the one whose beatification process is underway ... I painted the canvas white and made a sketch with a brush again ... It was a brave and risky move ... but it paid off ... The canvas was very vivid, although it is only a sketch of a portrait of Dulcissima's sister. And it is surprising that already in this sketch - the eyes appeared alive! I breathed a sigh of relief and gratitude. The work was progressing smoothly ... The portrait was completed just before Christmas. This experience helped me understand how powerful the intercession of the saints is, especially in times that are humanly hopeless. Sr. Maria Dulcissima helped me paint herself and I feel honored by this fact. She is not only a candidate for altars, whom I am asking for various intentions but she is also a holy companion of ordinary and extraordinary matters in which I adore the Love of God for us, expressed every day in many ways. Sister Dulcissima - please pray for us! Tomasz Wachowicz Trzcianka, 02/01/2022
Christmas
The real happiness we are looking for It is usually different than we imagine it. It is a mystery that transcends Human imaginations. [Fr. Jan Twardowski] Behold, the King of the universe was born in a poor stable. God came to earth as a helpless child. Power manifested in weakness. May the mystery of Christmas bring us certainty That God is born wherever there are our worries, poverty and anxiety. Where in a difficult situation we can trust Him without any conditions. May he be born in our hearts! Mary Immaculate Sisters
It was a special day in Cochem on the Klosterberg
Before the year comes to an end, I would like to share about a very special day in November 2021. As in every of our other houses, there is also a bell here on the Klosterberg that rings for the Angelus and not only reminds us to pray here, but also all the people who live, work or relax here in Cochem Since our old bell was already 100 years old - it cracked and so it only rattled. Almost two years ago this situation was addressed, checked and then it was planned that we could buy a new bell. Months and weeks passed due to the Corona situation - we didn't hear anything from our bell. When our provincial superior visited us in the summer, I raised this issue again and she took our concerns with me to the meetings in Berlin. Soon the information came - that the order for a new bell had been given to the bell foundry in Brockscheid in the Eifel. Since the planning was already completed almost two years ago - it didn't take long before we received the information that the bell would be cast on October 14, 2021. Brockscheid is only 39 km away from Cochem and so we could, i.e. two employees and I be there during the casting. None of us had never had the opportunity to be part of this before. Everything was well prepared and work could begin. The whole family was integrated. The senior boss attached great importance to the fact that before the work started - we pray together so that this work of art succeeds. It was a challenge for everyone to pour the material, heated to 170 degrees, into the special mold. In doing so, I noticed how much one was dependent on the other to look and react. The well-rehearsed team faced this challenge with flying colors. The work was done in a few minutes and we drove home with new experiences and enthusiasm with a good feeling. The bell then had to rest for a certain time. A good two weeks passed before the bell was brought to us. We had time to plan the consecration of the bells but until the consecration of the bells, we first placed them in our refectory. After a good planning with the facility manager, we set the date of the consecration for November 9th. Brother Michael (Franciscan of the Holy Cross) a friend of our convent and the house saw it as a great honor - to consecrate our bell. Yes, this special day also fell at the time when our Superior General Sister Sybilla and Vicar Sister Petra visited the convent on the Moselle. So, they could also experience this happening - also our co-sisters from Treis Karden. Of course, our residents also took part. The mayor of the association, Mr. Lambertz, and our city mayor, Mr. Schmitz, were also happy to accept our invitation. Also, the senior boss from the bell foundry, Mr. Schmitt came, he explained to us all the tones that the bell will ring. He himself has participated in many bell consecrations - but it was such a great experience for himself - because the bishop was present at all the other bells consecrations, -but as with us, visitors from Rome - he has never experienced that in his past working years On that day there were wonderful encounters that everyone will remember for a long time. Not only we but - also the people of Cochem enjoy the beautiful bells - which can be heard from the Klosterberg to all over the city. Long may it now sound to the glory of God and to the joy of people. God gave me joy! See! Like a golden star out of the sleeve, bare and flat, the metal core peels off From the helmet to the wreath it plays like the shine of the sun also, the coat of arms nice shields praise the experienced pictures. (Text from the bell by Friedrich Schiller) Sister M. Felicitas