Africa North East
Brief history of the Province
The Beginnings
In 1956, at the request of Cardinal Rugambwa, the house of Mugana in Tanzania was opened. The Pioneer sisters were: M. Angelina Rivetta, Giuseppina Grillo, Vittoria Piccolo and Carolina Gandini. They were engaged in the health care and promotion of women and children. From 1966 to 1969 Mugana was part of the Delegation “St. Joseph” Vimercate.
From 1969 to 1981, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi and Zaire formed a delegation of Mother Bakhita. Then from 1982 to 1984, Tanzania, Malawi and Zaire became three distinct delegations. Then, from 1985 to 1987, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi became Vice Province “Josephine Bakhita”. In 1988 it was given a new name “Queen of Apostles. In 1991, the Vice Province “Queen of Apostles” became a Province, with M. Bocardo Mary as the Provincial Superior.
At Present
At present, Queen of Apostles Province – North Eastern Africa is spread in five countries: Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi and serves in 11 Dioceses. It is composed of 18 Communities. It counts 101 Sisters, with an average age of 49.5. Interculturality is a peculiar feature of our Province: 77 sisters are Africans, 20 Asians and 4 Europeans. Among the 77 African sisters: 36 are Tanzanians, 15 Ugandans, 14 Malawians, 10 Kenyans, 1 Sudanese and 1 Congolese. There are 87 perpetually professed sisters, and 14 temporary professed. In initial formation there are 6 Aspirants, 4 Postulants and 9 Novices.
Our main apostolic ministries are Education (formal and non-formal), Evangelization and Catechesis, Pastoral Health Care (Dispensaries, Hospitals, Home Based Care Clinics and visiting the sick), Formation of the Laity and Lay Canossians, Spiritual Exercises in different forms, and care of “the vulnerable” wherever we are. Our mode of operating is preventive, promotional and collaborative with other partners. The extent of this collaboration and influencing factors vary from place to place.
We carry out the mission of making Jesus known and loved in the local Church, in collaboration with the Lay Canossians, the Secular Missionaries of St. Magdalene and all “people of good will”. In our ministries, we work with Christians of other denominations and of other religions with respect and collaboration. Ecumenism and interreligious dialogue take place at concrete level of day to day life.
Our Strategic Profile
Spurred on to become joyful and prophetic witnesses, we the Canossian Daughters of Charity of the North-Eastern Africa Province are committed to making Christ known and loved in every sphere of the society in which we serve:
We will achieve this through faithful pursuance of the following strategic thrusts:
- Being Faith-filled (F) Canossian Sisters who consciously work to live a life of conversion and integration, and becoming architects of communion;
- Dedicating (d) ourselves to willingly serve the poor, needy and marginalized;
- Cultivating (C) joyful and sustainable partnerships and collaborations among Sisters and with the laity, where possible, across all our ministries, programs and services; and,
- Creating (C) platforms and programs to evangelize and promote our vocation.
By God’s Grace and through our authentic witnessing, we will draw young women to our way of life and further build the Kingdom of God
News
VII International Congress of the Canossian Lay Association: “With Magdalene, Pilgrims of Hope in the World” Rome, 12–20 July 2025 – General House of the Canossian Daughters of Charity
From 12 to 20 July 2025, the General House of the Canossian Daughters of Charity in Rome will graciously host the Seventh International Congress of the Canossian Lay Association—a long-awaited and deeply meaningful gathering that, though deferred due to the Covid-19...
The Canossian wind on Terra Rossa: Mother Josemary’s visit to Giardino América and its big-hearted community”
A true passing of the Lord and of St. Magdalene through the red soil. From June 3rd to 5th, the Canossian Mothers’ community of Giardino América had the grace of welcoming the General Visitor, Mother Josemary Keelath. With her serene, humble, and joyful presence,...
Behind the Veil: the spiritual Journey of the Canossian sisters in Timor-Leste
Becora, June 3–11, 2025 – In an atmosphere of prayerful silence and deep communion, the second of five spiritual retreats planned for this year took place at the Provincial House in Becora, Dili, gathering the Canossian Sisters of the Province of São José,...