Report by : Wilfred Lawrence DSouza
Photos : Br Cornelius

Liberia, Feb 19: It was a great day for the nuns of the Missionaries of Charity as they celebrated their 25 years of existence in Liberia with a Thanksgiving Mass at St Joseph’s Parish Monrovia.

The Archbishop of Monrovia,  Fr Lewis Zeigler, was the chief celebrant, assisted by the Bishop of Cape Palmas,  Bishop Andrew Karnley, Msgr. Jackson and sixteen priests.  Prominent among the gathering were the inmates of the Charity Sisters, a host of religious sisters, brothers and laity.

In his homily the Archbishop recalled with gratitude the service rendered by the Sisters.  He said the life of Blessed Mother Theresa was really inspiring and it was her love for Jesus and the poor that started this large movement of the Missionary of Charity Sisters.  The Charity sisters are now serving in almost all the countries of the world and said that this is something significant in such a short span of time.   He said that he has hope that many young Liberians girls would imitate Mother Theresa’s wonderful work of dedication to the poorest of the poor and congratulated the Missionary Sisters for  the work that they are doing for Liberia and prayed that God continue to bless their apostolate.

The Salesian youth choir of Holy Innocents led by Fr Matthew Udoka,  the music director made the Liturgy so prayerful and enriching.  The cultural group of the children from the mission home of the sisters with their colourful dance added joy to the days celebration.

Expressing her gratitude to all those who had come, Sister Regional Superior thanked the Archbishop, the Bishop, the clergy, the laity for their presence, love and support.  The laity who had come for the celebration thanked the Sisters for their services to the poor in Liberia. The celebrations concluded with Refreshments.

It may be recalled that Sr Damien, Sr Lucy,  Sr Joachim, Sr Sebastilline,  Sr Angniezka and Sr Rinette  were the pioneers who set foot on Liberian soil 25 years back who were received by the late Archbishop Michael Francis by happy coincidence during the Silver Jubilee of his ordination.  In a couple of days the Sisters had got down to work in the Parish of St. Joseph at Capitol Hill and the poor of Monrovia began to feel the devoted service of these nuns. The hopeless were filled with hope, the homeless with a home, those who were racked with physical pain and suffering felt the soothing balm of love and care.

The journey to recovery was soon shattered by the Civil War in Liberia and the Sisters who held fort with the poor and suffering, at a certain point of time were forced to leave the country.  It was a painful moment, but the sisters accepted this separation with deep faith. The war having abated, the sisters returned to Monrovia in 1992. Since then they have opened their doors to the poorest of the poor, not only in Monrovia but also in Cape Palmas in Maryland County.