They toiled…slogged…never ceased but rather grew in many ways.
Little Children of Our Blessed Lady Sister this year celebrate 90 years since the formation
of the congregation, a breakthrough pregnant with attainments in education, health,
media, social work, counseling, spiritual direction, and pastoral work.
The congregation’s dedication, commitment, and hard work is making an impact not only
in the Catholic Church but in Zimbabwe as a whole as they are icons in most sectors in
Zimbabwe.
The first 19 sisters of the Little Children of Our Blessed Lady congregation, together with
their founding Father, Archbishop Aston Ignatius (Sebastian Joseph) Chichester SJ
encountered so many challenges in 1932 when they started the congregation but remained
firm in what they believed.
Starting with a small convent in Domboshava at the Visitation Makumbe mission, the
congregation now has over 180 sisters working in the dioceses of Harare, Chinhoyi,
Gokwe, and Masvingo.
Beyond the boarders, the LCBL Sisters also opened communities in Zambia and in the
United Kingdom.
Some of the established institutions run by the LCBL include the convent in the urban
area of Highfield, Regina Mundi Convent school, orphanage homes, Martha and Mary
Orphan Care at Regina Mundi convent in Highfield and Kasipiti Children’s Home in
Greendale where they take care of orphans and vulnerable children.
The sisters also run Martindale Primary School and Saint Barbara clinic in Selous and
Blessed Hands Herbals
Recently a new development was announced, the Blessed Hands Academy in Makumbi
with the hope of training as many people in different communities for prosperity.
Giving a talk at the 90 th anniversary celebrations Fr Anesu Manyere SJ applauded the
LCBL sisters for their perseverance despite cultural clashes, frustrations, and anger they
encounter.
“We are grateful as your brothers in a mission that despite led and made run even when
they did not want to run you have pulled through, so congratulations dear sisters”, he
said.
He applauded the congregation for working tirelessly and leaving a mark and creating a
difference wherever they worked.
He however challenged the congregation to create and fulfill objectives relevant to the
ever-changing world.
Fr Manyere SJ, also called upon sisters to continue growing and improving without
looking at personalities as they might disappoint and betray them.
The congregation was also applauded for being local but attracting other individuals from
various parts of the world.
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