14
The Southern Cross, April 17 to April 23, 2013
VOCATIONS
Interview with a veteran missionary nun As the years of life seems to ebb away, it is good to ask a person who has completed 80 years of her life and 50 years as a missionary in South Africa in the Society of St Ursula (Ursulines of the Blessed Virgin Mary), how meaningful and graceful these years have been. Sr LiSSy THoMAS interviewed Sr Iniga Kneubuhler.
Sr Lissy: As you walk down the memory lane of your past 80 years of life, how do you feel? Sr Iniga: I feel very excited. (tears of gratitude) Tears of joy well up in my eyes in gratitude to the Lord for keeping me well both physically and mentally. I do not know how to express my feelings because I cannot name them all. All I can say is that it was all not my doing, but the Lord’s doing. Sister, as you look back, what were the most fulfilling experiences of your life? One of the most fulfilling experiences in my life is that I could help
Founder, St eugene de Mazenod
the children of South Africa as I was a teacher for the past 30 years at Mount Nicholas School Libode [in Mthatha diocese]. I enjoyed seeing the way they have grown and developed themselves to be what they are today. I am also happy that I could help in the initial formation of our candidates to be Ursulines. In one way or the other I have been educating people through formal and informal ways. Whenever I had difficulties in the school with regard to the non-cooperation of the teachers, my sisterly community supported me and empathised with me. Another reason for me to thank God is that two of my own sisters in Switzerland are in the Benedictine convent where nuns pray day in and day out. Can you recall a situation which was most difficult for you? As you know I have been through the thick and thin of the apartheid regime. We couldn’t admit black South African children to Mount Nicholas School Libode. It was very painful to see how these children were denied the privilege of education. Only after 1976 when Transkei became independent, could we admit pupils of all races. Besides these, the teachers were striking at times for an increase in their pay.
This of course caused difficulties to the students as they had to miss many lessons. What message do you want to convey to the young religious of today? Daily prayer is very important. Take time to be with the Lord. How can we keep the flame of our religious life alive unless we pour the oil of prayer into our lamps? Religious vows can be at times difficult, but they free us from the burdens of life. Trust your superiors, fellow Sisters, and give to the Lord whatever is hurting you. What message do you want to give to the youth of today? Prepare well for marriage, for it is a one-time commitment to one partner. Be faithful to your life partner. What are your dreams and visions for the years to come? My dream and vision for the morrow is to spend more time with the Lord and draw closer to his heart. I am glad that other people are taking my responsibilities. I am also uncertain of my future, but I trust in the Lord and in my superiors and abide by whatever they ask of me.
Sr iniga Kneubuhler: “How can we keep the flame of our religious life alive unless we pour the oil of prayer into our lamps?”
“Come and lear n w h o yo u ar e in the e ye s o f God.”
Oblates choose to live in community, sharing their life in faith and prayer,working in solidarity with those who are poor, excluded or searching for meaning. Like Eugene, every Oblate desires to lead people to recognise their human dignity and come to know the life that is offered in Jesus Christ, life to the full, free of injustice, alienation, and lack of opportunity.
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
northern Province of South Africa Po Box 44029 Linden 2104 GAUTenG
Holy Cross Sisters
We are: A community of consecrated women, bearing the title ‘Sistersof Nazareth’ who try to live the Gospel values through the vision of our foundress Victaire Larmenier. We see: Ourselves as part of the wider community, witnessing to it and providing care and support to needy elderly people, children and Hiv/Aids sufferers of our surrounding area.
We seek: To exemplify the attribures of Jesus Christ in our daily choices and in our dealings with all those lives we touch. Contact: Sr Helen O’Connell 072 229 9201 sr.helen.oconnell@gmail.com
Your task is the teaching and education of Christian youth. This task you may, and must fulfil everywhere—in the schools, in the hospitals, in the streets, in the parishes, with all humility and loving service, day in and day out...’ (Fr Theodosius Florentini, H.C. Co-founder 1844)
If you wish to embark on a journey of seeking to know God’s Will for you contact Sr Bernadette Duffy, P.O. Box 44807 Linden, 2104, Gauteng. Email: berduffy@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 011 782 0643/072 678 7449