In the heart of Nairobi, Fr. Chiedza Chimhanda, SJ, a member of the Discerning Leadership Accompaniment Network, embarked on a powerful experience facilitating a gathering of 72 IBVM sisters, navigating the complexities of a significant merger process. Sr Mary Gitau IBVM, Province Leader of Eastern Africa and Fr. Chiedza offer in the below testimony, a glimpse of their shared journey and witness to the power of the Holy Spirit and the life generated from these encounters.

The IBVM sisters of the East Africa Province met on January 24-26th, 2025 to prepare ourselves spiritually and psychologically for changes happening in our Congregation. Over the last few years, there have been considerations for a merger between the Congregation of Jesus Sisters (CJ) and the IBVM sisters, both sharing the same spirituality and the same foundress.  While developments in history separated us, it is moving to see how recent historical developments are drawing us back together. This was the dream of Mary Ward, our foundress. 

The process for our gathering in Nairobi was mainly inspired by the experience facilitated by the Discerning Leadership team in Loyola Spain for the general leadership of both Congregations in September 2024. As part of taking the fruits of this experience to grassroot levels and facilitating implementation and appropriation, 72 IBVM Sisters (including one novice) from the East African Province gathered in Nairobi, bringing their hopes, questions and concerns. A facilitator from the Discerning Leadership Accompaniment Network, Fr Chiedza Chimhanda SJ accompanied our Province leadership before and during the meeting. 

A great openness to the Holy Spirit guided our encounters. Spiritual conversations throughout the meeting enabled us to connect deeply, listening to one another and to the voice of God who speaks in our hearts and through the voice of the other. In a synodal format, the sisters sat at tables in small groups and in those small groups, they spent time in prayer and sharing.  Everyone had a chance to speak. Resonances and convergences were acknowledged and opinions shared with respect. 

The sisters also had a chance to consider matters in their age groups and were deeply appreciative for connecting with others who they have not had a chance to share with since the Noviciate.  These groups were set up to enable various generations in the Province to connect and share both dreams and anxieties about the merger. During mass, the sisters of each age group presented in a symbolic way what the merger meant for them. It was a powerful experience that once again expressed our resonances and convergences and revealed a greater union of hearts and minds .

Our meeting also opened a space where the questions that sisters held were answered as honestly as possible and areas that needed further clarity were addressed before the voting date.

As the meeting came to an end, we could sense the happiness and the freedom growing in our midst. The sisters were aware that each one will cast a canonical vote on the merger and were open to embrace the outcome of the vote, which will be done in freedom on 31st July, as we celebrate our Ignatian heritage.  

Fr. Chiedza Chimhanda, SJ (DL Facilitator) Testimony:

I embarked on this journey to facilitate a significant meeting at the Province level, a first for me in this capacity. My role was that of a facilitator, picking up the threads of conversations and creating space for the sisters to engage deeply with the process of Becoming One.  Throughout this process, my eyes and my heart were opened as I sensed the power of the Holy Spirit. I had a deep sense that I, too, was learning something new in this experience. I aimed to stand back, like a spiritual director, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide the discussions, trusting the wisdom of the group, reframing contributions and returning them to the sisters for further consideration. The sisters’ openness to the process was a testament to the leadership and organization of the local team, who took care of everything from logistics to animating the moments of prayer and facilitating a sacred space. 

The opening activities led by the sisters helped to break the ice, get us ready, laughing and energetic. The willingness of the leadership team to engage with and respond to the group’s questions made a big difference. This helped put everyone at ease and signaled that the Leadership Team was not avoiding any difficult questions, it also made it clear that they did not have answers to all the questions simply because some things will become clearer with time. 

Symbolic presentations, inspiring images and reflections as well as readings drawn from the local context helped the group tap into their creative source. The prayer on the Wedding feast of Cana was very much appreciated by the group and set the ground to re-imagine the merger as a celebration, an opportunity to celebrate the abundance of God.

It was very moving to witness the sisters’ growing confidence and readiness to move forward with the merger. I am deeply grateful for the support and trust that I have received and give thanks for the chance to witness God’s grace at work in the group.