At the beginning of April 2025, the sisters of the Province of Saint Vincent de Paul eagerly awaited the announcement of their new provincial team following an opinion poll. Then, on the evening of Saturday, 12 April, just as some sisters concluded their annual retreat, joyful news arrived—the appointment of the new Provincial Superior and her team had been officially announced, bringing a wave of anticipation and celebration.

The installation of the new provincial team was scheduled for 14 April 2025 in the chapel of Notre-Dame d’Espérance (Our Lady of Hope) community. Sisters Hélène Ntambo and Francine Wumba were already in Lubumbashi, while Sister Suzanne Tshika came from Kapolowe in the morning. Later in the afternoon, Sisters Marie-Jeanne Muleka and Marie-Thérèse Musumba arrived from Mbuji-Mayi. After a brief stop at the provincial house, the three sisters were warmly welcomed at the Notre-Dame d’Espérance community.

The installation ceremony began at 5pm. Sister Agathe Ntensya, the moderator, invited the sisters to enter in procession by order of profession, starting with the youngest, followed by the members of the former provincial team, then the new team and finally the general assistants. We moved towards the altar singing, dancing and shouting for joy (Bikelekele).

From left to right: Sister Suzanne Tshika, Sister Francine Wumba, Sister Marie-Jeanne Muleka (Provincial Superior), Sister Marie-Thérèse Musumba and Sister Hélène Ntambo

On behalf of all the sisters of the province, Sister Jacqueline Asha thanked the outgoing team for the work accomplished during their term of office and their perseverance despite the critical situation our country is facing. She then offered a word of welcome and encouragement to the new team, while asking them to count on the Lord who has entrusted them with this responsibility, so that they can help the sisters to truly be contemplatives in action, pilgrims of hope, women of faith, especially in this jubilee year, and to strengthen their living together. This was followed by words of encouragement addressed to the two teams by the general assistants.

The meditation and reflection centered on two carefully chosen biblical passages: 1 Peter 5:1-8 and Psalm 22: "The Lord is my shepherd," both deeply meaningful for the occasion. Sister Béatrice Tshilemba, General Assistant, then read the official letter appointing the new provincial team.

Once the letter was read, the moderator invited us to rise in thanksgiving. We sang, danced and shouted for joy at the wonders that the Lord never ceases to perform for our province. We gave Him thanks for having walked with the outgoing team during their mandate and supported them in difficult times, and for the choice of the new team.

Various symbols were presented and handed over to the new team by Sister Isabelle Ilunga: the Bible, the Constitutions and Statutes, the Provincial Statute and the document of the General Chapter of 2023. Mama Angèle Mutonkole explained the symbolism of the rope with a Swahili saying: ‘Kidole kimoja akitauwa chawa’, which translates as: ‘One finger alone cannot kill lice’. By this saying, she meant that one person alone cannot do much. It takes the efforts of everyone to achieve great things. This is the case for us, the Sisters of Charity of the Province. The provincial team cannot work alone; our efforts and collaboration are also needed, as the Superior General emphasises it in her appointment letter. Then she explained the meaning of the rope. The rope forms a whole; it represents the province. The provincial superior will hold the beginning and all of us who are present in the chapel will hold it, not pulling it, to show our communion and show the team that it will not be alone. We will support it; we will work together to make the task easier. The rope was passed around, and each sister held it, symbolizing unity and shared responsibility. Its two ends came together in the hands of the Provincial Superior, who tied a knot—signifying her leadership as the head of the province and the bond that holds everyone together. Though she carries the responsibility, she cannot fulfil it alone; it requires the commitment and collaboration of all. The ceremony was very meaningful, reminding the provincial government to lead not in isolation but with openness, listening to the voices of the sisters. In return, the sisters promised their support, working alongside the leadership team to strengthen their shared mission and build a future rooted in unity and faith.

After this rich explanation, the general assistants blessed and anointed the new provincial team, then we moved on to welcome the new team members, starting with the general assistants, then the elders and finally the young sisters. We offered some spontaneous prayers, sang the Magnificat and recited the Our Father. The final prayer was said by the new provincial superior.

On leaving the chapel, all the sisters made their way to the large Pierre-Joseph Triest Hall at Tshondo Secondary School for the evening’s program.

Our joy was even greater at the radiant announcement of Rome’s recognition of the heroic virtues of our Founder Peter-Joseph Triest on this very day. What a happy coincidence, what a wonderful news! What a joy! Yes, the Lord has done wonders for us, blessed be his Name!