Special spazio + spadoni Missionary October: A New Congregation in Kindu
Establishment of the Congregation of the “Missionaries of the Cross and Mercy” in the Diocese of Kindu: a new era for the local church
The Diocese of Kindu, located in Maniema Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is experiencing a new dynamic with the recent establishment of a new women’s religious congregation, the Missionaries of the Cross and Mercy (MCM).
This development marks an important milestone in the history of this church community, which previously had only four women’s religious congregations. The arrival of the MCM comes in a context in which the Catholic Church is called to renew its mission, especially in this month of October dedicated to missions, and to accentuate the spread of works of mercy, the central theme of the spiritual life this new congregation.
Perpetual profession
On Sunday, September 29, 2024, in Kinkungwa, a small village located not far from Kindu, a solemn Mass was celebrated at the home of Sister Marie Bernard, marking the official installation of the Missionaries of the Cross and Mercy.
This symbolic moment was the occasion for a double celebration: two sisters of the congregation made perpetual vows, sealing their final commitment to religious life, while seven young postulants began initial formation, the first step toward possible consecration.
This Mass brought together a large crowd of faithful who flocked to show their support for this new religious community. The celebrant representing the Bishop, in his homily, stressed the importance of this installation in strengthening the mission of the Church in Kindu. He urged the faithful to pray for these new consecrated men and women to carry out their mission of service and witness to divine mercy.
The mission of the Missionaries of the Cross and Mercy focuses on spreading works of mercy, both spiritual and corporal. They are committed to providing comfort, support and hope to those who are marginalized, poor and suffering. Their charism, based on the imitation of the crucified and merciful Christ, drives them to devote themselves to both prayer and charitable action.
The congregation’s motto, “Cross and Mercy,” sums up their vocation: to unite suffering and redemption, symbolized by the cross, with the unconditional love and forgiveness embodied in divine mercy.
Their spirituality is thus based on the integration of the sacrificial dimension of Christ with the call to active charity toward those most in need. This implies an active presence among the sick, the elderly, orphans and the poor, but also a commitment to the promotion of human dignity through education, health and social development.
The making of perpetual vows by two sisters of the Missionaries of the Cross and Mercy was one of the highlights of the installation ceremony. These vows mark the nuns’ final commitment to dedicate their lives to God through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience. For the two sisters who made these vows, this commitment means the renunciation of secular life to embrace a life of selfless service in the total gift of self to God and others.
The seven postulants, for their part, have begun the first stage of religious formation. The formation process of the Missionaries of the Cross and Mercy is rigorous and progressive. The young women, having completed the postulancy period, will enter the novitiate before taking their first temporary vows. It is a journey that allows them to mature spiritually and imbue themselves with the spirituality proper to the Congregation.
Focus on Forum on the ReEvolution of Works of Mercy in Perspective
The arrival of the Missionaries of the Cross and Mercy in Kindu coincides with the preparation of a major event in the region: a forum on the reEvolution of Works of Mercy, organized by spazio + spadoni in collaboration with the dioceses of Kindu and Kasongo. This forum aims to be a framework for exchange and reflection on how works of mercy can be revitalized in a context of great social and economic precariousness.
The reEvolution aims to combine the spiritual significance of works of mercy with concrete action, where solidarity becomes an engine for integral human development. Religious congregations, as privileged actors of charity in the Church, will play a key role in these discussions. This forum will also be an opportunity for the Missionaries of the Cross and Mercy and other congregations present to share their experience and vision of works of mercy.
The establishment of the Missionaries of the Cross and Mercy in the Diocese of Kindu is an event that brings hope for this region. It not only enriches the spiritual life of the local Church, but also strengthens its commitment to promoting works of mercy. At this time when the Church is called to renew its missionary efforts, the arrival of this congregation is a blessing that will undoubtedly encourage the faithful to rediscover the transforming power of mercy.
As Kindu prepares to host a forum on the reEvolution of Works of Mercy, the Missionaries of the Cross and Mercy will have a decisive role to play in promoting active charity, combining spirituality and concrete action. May God accompany them in this exhilarating mission and abundantly bless their commitment to the service of the poorest and most destitute.
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- Rodrigue Bidubula