On St. John of God’s Day, March 8, the Superior General, Sr. Anabela Carneiro, and the General Councilor, Sr. Maria Begoña Perez, traveled to Maputo (Mozambique) to begin the canonical visitation of all the hospital presences in Africa.
Under the motto “On the way… Together… We keep the lamp of hospitality burning”, the sisters of the General Government, accompanied by Sr. Marie Elizabeth Ngo Mbouck (Delegate of the Superior General for the restructuring process in Africa), visited Maputo, Lubango (Angola), Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Yaoundé (Cameroon). Sister Leontine Ngo Mbock (General Councilor) also joined the visit to these last two countries.
The canonical visitation takes place every six years and its purpose is to make more alive the commitment of the Founders described in point 124 of our Constitutions, which concerns the competencies of the Superior General. According to this point, the Superior General must promote and encourage fidelity to the Gospel, the directives of the Church, and the Hospitaller charism; as well as watch over the mission, create a family atmosphere in the Congregation through letters and visits; and help in fraternal communion with the Provincial Superiors and Councilors in matters within her competence.
In this way, within the process of restructuring that we are carrying out on the African continent, this canonical visitation was intended to consider Africa as “a whole”, as a single reality and not so much as part of the European provinces to which it belongs. This allows us to grow as an “African” congregational body and, at the same time, to analyze the situation of the sisters, communities, and apostolic works in the different countries where we are present.
The Directory, referring to the canonical visitation, affirms: “One perceives much life and dedication of the sisters in the service of the mentally ill, facing situations of much marginalization and stigma… The collaborators and lay hospitalists contribute with their professionalism and dedication to this service. The joy, so typical of these people, is felt and contagious”. He also highlighted the groups of young people who are beginning their formation for the Hospitaller life: the novitiate in Yaoundé, the postulancy in Lubango, and the aspirancy in Kinshasa.
From May 8 onwards, the other countries with a Hospitaller presence in Africa will be visited.
We place these visits, as Sr. Anabela said, under the protective and tender gaze of Mary, who “leads us to the fountain of living water that flows from the Heart of Christ and clothes us with the bowels of mercy so that we can bring her maternal love to all people” (Constitutions, 17).
