Little Children of the Blessed Lady (LCBL) Sisters have been challenged to “go into uncharted waters” and not be comfortable in familiar territories of evangelisation and ministry.
The challenge was posed by Fr Fidelis Mukonori SJ, during his presentation at the recentlyconcluded celebrations of the 59th Anniversary of the death of Archbishop Aston Chichester SJ.
Archbishop Aston Ignatius Chichester SJ, who was also the first Archbishop of Salisbury, is the Founder of the LCBL Sisters.
He died on 24 October 1962, aged 83, while attending the Second Vatican Council’s first session, which was called by St pope John Paul III. He collapsed on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica.
After 47 years of his death, his body was exhumed and reburied in Chishawasha, Zimbabwe in October 2009 after a series of prayer and requests from the LCBL, the local church and the then Jesuit Province of Zimbabwe.
Archbishop Chichester formed the LCBL Sisters, a diocesan order, in December 1932.
Today the order, led by Sr Anita Jonga boasts of a membership of about 184 sisters working in Archdiocese of Harare; Chinhoyi, Gokwe and Masvingo Dioceses.
Giving an account of the revered prelate, Fr Fidelis Mukonori SJ said Archbishop Chichester challenged
Fr Mukonori SJ, the then Provincial of the Zimbabwe Jesuit province at the time of Archbishop Chichester’s reburial, first met Archbishop Chichester as young boy meddling in the dusty and bushy area of Chishawasha mission.
He recounted memories of how Archbishop Chichester was instrumental in promoting and improving the education of young boys and girls including the establishment of minor seminaries.
Archbishop Chichester SJ is credited for his support and immense contribution in promoting local vocations at a time when most ministers of the church were missionaries.
Fr Mukonori SJ challenged the LCBL Sisters to be daring and “go into uncharted waters” and not seek security more than that mission.
“If you look for security you will get it but you will not go to heaven, go into uncharted waters so that our people will be awakened.”
“Archbishop Chichester never spent his energy in tantrums, he fought battles intelligently and he fought and won every battle,” he added.
“You must therefore be diplomatic in the way you do things; you will win friends.”
He went on to challenge the LCBL Sisters to evaluate their commitment and mission saying it is not material poverty that will take you to heaven, “We are being poor because we want others to be rich, but we must never be so poor that we can’t help others.”
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