By Sr. Gloria Kim, CSJ, Uganda
Kampala, Uganda, 7 February 2024 -- A truly historic moment for the 14th Group of the Salesian Family, Caritas Sisters of Jesus, was the first profession of their first African members in Namugongo formation house (Kampala) Uganda, 2 February 2024, in the presence of the Mother General, Sr Emiliana Park, and three members of her General Council and during the Eucharist celebrated by Fr Pierre Celestine.
The Caritas Sisters of Jesus entered the African continent in 2011, with their first mission in South Sudan, where they are now present in Juba and Kerepi with their clinic, social, and education work in two communities.
Following the South Sudanese refugees in Uganda, they discovered a good vocational opportunity and finally opened their first formation house five years ago in 2019. Since then, their aspirants and postulants have reached their novitiate stage with its first fruits on 2 February 2024 - the first religious profession of the first African Sisters.
The first professions of two Korean Caritas sisters took place on the same feast (Presentation of the Lord) in Gwangju and Suwon, as well as the perpetual professions of another two in Seoul and Gwangju, South Korea. The Congregation has three provinces in South Korea - Seoul, Gwangju, and Suwon.
The Congregation was established in 1937 in Japan (Miyazaki) and has now spread to 16 countries in 5 continents). The Sisters are committed to the missionary outreach with the pastoral charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, expressed in social welfare, family and Bible ministry, parish work, social communication, and health care.
