Why Malawi?

The United Nations ranks Malawi — an African country a little smaller than Pennsylvania — as the ninth poorest nation in the world. The economy staggers under a load of international debt and an annual inflation rate of over 30%. AIDS, hepatitis, malaria, and tuberculosis are rampant.

Twenty parishes minister to 35,000 Anglicans in the Diocese of Northern Malawi, descendants of people converted by the mid-nineteenth century British missionaries who protected them from slave traders.

What is happening?

Several years ago we opened our novitiate for the Christian formation of Malawian women under the Rule of the Community of St. Mary. They asked to continue as Sisters of St. Mary when they returned to Malawi, and we joyfully agreed. Their desire for continued guidance in the ways of total dedication to God and service to his people was met by our equal desire to fulfill this opportunity for mission.

Of the original two, Mary Malivasi returned to Malawi after a year and a half, and Sister Martha received the blue veil of a Junior in August, 2001. Monica Chithila and Nema Binga joined us in December, 2000, after complicated visa application problems delayed their trip for several months. Sisters Monica and Maria Nema were clothed as novices on March 18, 2001, and became Juniors on August 25, 2002.

All three are maturing splendidly, learning to live fully the evangelical counsels of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience according to our Rule. Among the three, they have learned practical skills in accounting, basic computer maintenance, logistical databases, graphics and word processing, bio-intensive gardening, first aid, and traditional monastic plainsong for their liturgical services. They are establishing a well-trained, economically self-sufficient Christian community in the heart of poverty-stricken Malawi, providing a model of prayer, community-building, and sound management of natural resources. Read their own words about their vocations.

Two new postulants arrived in April, 2002 (and they, Sister Georgina and Sister Patricia Taonga, became Juniors on March 25, 2004) and two more in May, 2003 (Sister Mary Chimwewe and Sister Esther Ernestina were clothed as Novices in August, 2003. This process will continue for the next several years, until the Malawian house has enough experienced Sisters to train novices on their own.

The return of the Founding Sisters in September, 2002, meant building the first Anglican monastic house for women in Malawi. The architectural style and materials of the convent are typical handmade brick and tin roof construction of the area, as shown in this photo of a local house.

The Mission depends on donations to stabilize its farm and housekeeping. By the spring of 2005, seven Sisters will be living and working in Luwinga. Their wish list includes solar-powered communication equipment and computer, expansion to the barn and building of the Chapel.

Please join us in this exciting mission. Make checks to “Sisterhood of St. Mary,” and mail to St. Mary’s Convent, 242 Cloister Way, Greenwich, NY 12834-7918. All donations are fully tax deductible.