25 years of presence in Mozambique

THE LORD HAS GUIDED US UNTIL TODAY AND HE WILL CERTAINLY CONTINUE TO GUIDE US

"Christian memory is like the salt of life: without memory we cannot move forward. Memory is a going back to find strength and be able to walk forward; it is always an encounter, an encounter with Jesus Christ." (Pope Francis)

This is precisely the reason why, celebrating the 25 years of the Congregation's presence in Mozambique, we feel the need to stop and contemplate what the Lord has accomplished along the way.

Following the example of our Founder, Fr. Giacomo Alberione, we remember a double story: on the one hand, the mercy of God, for which we sing a hymn of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord and for all the people who have been present and accompanied us in these years. We thank the simple people, the Christian brothers and sisters, the volunteers, the men and women religious, the priests and bishops: Dom Tomé Makhweliha, then bishop of Pemba, who, asking for our presence in his diocese, expressed the desire that the community could “bear witness to the love of God among the Mozambican people, promote charity and, above all, train the leaders of the diocese”, Dom Francisco Chimoio, Dom Ernesto Maguengue, Dom Luiz Fernando Lisboa and the current beloved Dom António Juliasse Sandramo. On the other hand, we remember the history of our inability to respond to the love of God, which today is transformed into a request for forgiveness for our inconsistencies, sins, shortcomings and omissions. We are certain that all the fruit of our presence on this earth is the work of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who has accompanied us and continues to accompany us, together with Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd.

The Eucharistic Celebration, Sunday 27 April 2025, was presided over by the Bishop of Pemba, Mons. Antonio Juliasse, and with him the concelebrants: the Parish Priest, Fr. Armindo and other Fathers present in the Diocese.

The animation was prepared with commitment and care, thanks to the co-responsibility and spirit of communion of many people: parish collaborators, trainees and trainees of various Religious Institutes who joined our young people, especially with singing.

For the occasion, the young people in training created the hymn, in collaboration with a Pastorella from Brazil.

We leave it to some people to share what celebrating this anniversary meant to them:

Sr Franca, one of the sisters of the first years:

The feeling that accompanies me is gratitude to Jesus the Good Shepherd for having been part of this story. The Good Shepherd has been very good, generous and merciful with us.

We sang with conviction: “As the Lord has helped us until today, he will also do in the future!” (1 Sam 7:12). Yes! Looking at our journey in these 25 years we can only say “Thank you”. The roots are present, the fruits are still tender but present, they can be seen. We can sing and rejoice. The Good Shepherd will lead us.

Sr Verena, one of the first Mozambican PP:

I felt great joy in celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the presence of the Pastorelle in Mozambique. I feel the desire to thank Jesus the Good Shepherd for the many graces received during these years. This milestone has aroused in me a strong sense of belonging and participation for the journey traveled and a moved gratitude for the lives touched. I feel a living hope to continue to serve this land with renewed commitment, where we are slowly flourishing.

Sr Zita junior:

Participating in the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of our presence in Mozambique was a moment of grace, of feeling how the Good Shepherd lovingly guides his flock. And if he guided our insertion into these lands, he will also continue to guide my path, because only He is the author of life. So it was a moment to also renew my yes to Him and to the church-people, to strengthen the awareness of my belonging to this 25-year history and of the continuity of the pastoral charism.

Carmelita, postulant:

It was very beautiful to celebrate the jubilee, giving thanks to the Good Shepherd and the Divine Shepherdess for having kept me firm and strong in the pastoral mission. I feel very happy and joyful in recognizing the love that the Good Shepherd has for me and for the people that He places on my pastoral path. Gratitude to the Good Shepherd.

Sr Cesarina, Provincial Superior, in the message read at the conclusion of the Celebration, expressed herself as follows: «If you thank the Lord for this presence, we Pastorelle thank the Church for having been able to express our precious charism among you Mozambican Brothers and Sisters. Now we wish for you to live what Pope Francis said to us Religious (in 2015): “Whoever follows Christ cannot help but become a missionary, … bearing witness to the joy of the Gospel and the expression of God’s charity” and to be “Pilgrims of Hope”».

Community of Pemba and Nampula