Sister Rita celebrates 50th year as nun in Zambia

Sister Rita celebrates 50th year as nun in Zambia

28 June 2017

VISITORS from home have made “all the difference in the world” to a Teconnaught nun who has made her life in Zambia.

Sister Rita Brennan is delighted to have received her first visitors to central Africa where she has lived since joining the thriving Holy Cross Order in the 1970s.

Now one of just five surviving expatriate nuns of the Order, she was recently joined by friends and family keen to celebrate her vocational Golden Jubilee 5,000 miles from home.

Sister Rita was delighted with the local support to mark her 50th year with the Order and having the opportunity to show friends the work she does with underprivileged children.

The group, which fundraised £11,000 for Sister Rita’s work before travelling, included her nephews, Colm Smyth, a survivor of the Loughinisland massacre, and Dundrum-born Fr Darren Brennan.

Sister Rita said she was happy and grateful following their visit, which she said touched her community of sisters and local people.

In a short address during his visit, Fr Brennan spoke of how he was “welcomed home” by the Zambian people when he arrived at the Lusaka convent.

At first thinking a mistake had been made, Sister Rita said he realised he had indeed come home because of the warm welcome received.

“They experienced some of the beautiful gifts and qualities of the Zambian people, not material gifts but hospitality, friendliness, warmth, generosity and a hearty welcome from everyone they met,” she said.

“After a short time, Fr Brennan realised that the welcome home was true, he was at home as everyone he met welcomed him warmly so he and the other visitors were no longer visitors, but part of my extended family in Zambia.

“They were amazed at the number of religious sisters in the various places they visited and were moved by the ministries in which we are involved such as working with vulnerable children and young people.

“They visited ‘street’ children, the orphans, the safe house for sexually abused girls, the hospice for the terminally ill patients from the nearby poor compounds and the bigger world of formal education for children and young people to enable them break the cycle of poverty.

“They experienced the beautiful, rich and life-giving liturgical celebration of the Jubilee Mass. 

“They witnessed how the people here trust God in every situation, knowing that ‘one day all will be well’. 

“They witnessed unity and community in the celebration and in our broken world today saw this as  a sign of God’s Spirit moving in the hearts of the Zambian people, who despite differences in tribe and viewpoints come together for the common good.”

Sr Rita said her visitors were touched by the love shown to her by the Zambian sisters who spoke of her work to empower the local people and Zambian sisters so they are able to continue God’s mission when European sisters are no longer with them. 

“I felt very happy and privileged to have visitors from home, who sacrificed time and money to come here,” she said.

“I thank everyone who sent greetings, good wishes and prayers for my Jubilee and to the people who supported the various fund raising ventures of the group. 

“The support of family and friends has always been a source of strength for me and I deeply appreciate their kindness. Now they have first-hand experience of our mission work here.  

“The money donated will assist many young people secure a place in school and give them hope for a brighter future.”