The Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary (SBVM) Congregation of the Catholic Church has begun preparations to celebrate its centenary anniversary in Malawi under the theme: “Rooted in Gratitude, Beaming Christ’s Love in Mission.”
Assistant Superior General of the SBVM Congregation, Sr. Eneless Chimbali, said the celebrations will culminate in 2028 at the congregation’s headquarters, Mary View in Nguludi, under the Archdiocese of Blantyre.
Sr. Chimbali said the congregation was founded in 1926 by Bishop Louis Jose Marie Auneau and has since grown into one of the Catholic Church’s key religious congregations in Malawi.
She said the SBVM Congregation currently serves in the Dioceses of Zomba, Dedza, Karonga, Chikwawa, and Mangochi, as well as the Archdioceses of Lilongwe and Blantyre, with a membership of 310 sisters.
According to Sr. Chimbali, the congregation has made significant contributions to the country’s development over the past century by establishing schools and health facilities, caring for vulnerable people, and supporting the Catholic Church’s evangelization mission.
Despite these achievements, she said the congregation continues to face financial challenges, including inadequate funding for sisters pursuing higher and professional education, as well as limited resources to provide quality medical care for elderly and sick members.
She appealed to Christians, organizations, and other well-wishers to support the congregation financially to enable it to continue its mission of service.
“We thank God for what He has done for us throughout all the years we have been serving, and we ask all well-wishers to join us so that we can continue working together,” she said.
Sr. Chimbali also called on Christians and the general public to join the congregation in thanking God as it celebrates a century of dedicated service to the Church and the people of Malawi.
