Initial formation in the Congregation of the Religious of the Assumption is a priority. It’s a time given for growth and development to individuals who desire to respond confidently and freely their vocation as future religious of the Assumption. It involves good time of prayer, community living, study and discernment to help the individual grow in faith and therefore be in a position to make personal decision to the commitment of a lifelong religious vocation.
The different stages of initial formation includes Aspirancy, Postulancy, Novitiate and Temporal vows. These stages are very important because they are a way of deepening our baptismal commitment, a time of intimacy with God, a time to live and understand the charism of the congregation and a time of spiritual and human growth.
As Young Sisters of the Religious of the Assumption we are in temporal vows. Having made our first vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, we remain in this stage of formation for at least six years before the final vows. It is a time of continuous discernment of God’s call to religious life. These three vows are also known as evangelical counsels.
During our June 2025 sessions, we were strengthened, awakened, reminded, questioned, enlightened, renewed and even challenged by our facilitators. This made us experience greater union with God and a sense of belonging to the Congregation of the Religious of the Assumption. The saying of our Foundress, Saint Marie Eugenie of Jesus, “I want to give not lend myself to Jesus Christ”, was burning in our hearts.
The session on Transformative Education in the Assumption in different field (schools, pastoral, non-formal education, youth conselling and accompaniment) made us more aware of the context of our world we are living today. As educators we feel called to make our world a better place where Christ is known and loved. To be zealous daughters of Saint Marie Eugenie, committed and passionate with a burning desire to bring God’s Kingdom to many people who have lost hope of life, seeking for peace and justice, security and love.
The Safeguarding session, drew our attention because it is the responsibility of each one of us, to protect vulnerable children, young people and adults. Each one has a right to be protected from any harm, make each one free from any abuse or neglect and therefore empower them access to services. We recalled the difficulties our sisters went through during the foundation of our congregation that made Saint Marie Eugenie say, “My heart is like a troubled sea”. There were so many chaos, that she believed that through education, the society would be transformed. Other topics included, Vocation, The Presence of God in me, Little Rules in the Assumption, Celebrating the Trinitarian Mystery, Family Spirit in the Assumption and the Values of the Assumption. We appreciated our founding and elder sisters when we visited different historical places our East Africa foundation, Mandaka, Maili Sita and Kibosho. It was a privilege for us to witness what we had learnt in theory
This Jubilee Year of 2025, the Catholic Church calls us to be “Pilgrims of Hope”, despite our past wounds continued wars, insecurity, discouragement, discrimination, despair in life, and unfair judgment. We are called to be signs of hope in little ways wherever we are by acts of kindness, support, openness to others, willingness to accept differences and practice of patience.
Each one of us has a love story with God, seek simple ways to renew it as it is an opportunity to be updated, to adjust and to reconnect your purpose in life.
By Sr. Adria Mgoo on behalf of the Young Sisters