Sisters of Our Lady of Africa-SOLA srs

24/05/2026

Fanning the Flames: Bishop Mupandasekwa’s Pentecost charge to the New SOLA Leadership

As the Church celebrated the Solemnity of Pentecost, the Society of Our Lady of Africa (SOLA) in Chinhoyi marked a new beginning. Fresh from their General Chapter, the Congregation welcomed new leadership. Speaking to the Sisters, Diocese Of Chinhoy Apostolic Administrator Bishop Raymond Mupandasekwa wove together the fire of Pentecost, the role of Mary, and the call to Spirit-led leadership.

“Get Out of Your Comfort Zone”
In his homily reflection, Bishop Mupandasekwa was clear: “The Holy Spirit demands that you get out of your comfort zone and evangelize. Election is a new journey that is inspired by the Spirit.”

For the newly elected SOLA leadership, Pentecost was not just a liturgical feast. It was a commissioning. The same Spirit that descended in the Upper Room now sends them into a new chapter of service.

Mary: Wife of the Holy Spirit, Woman of Silence
The Bishop placed Mary at the center of the Pentecost mystery. “Mind you, she is the wife of the Holy Spirit — her role in Christ’s birth cannot be separated from her role at Pentecost,” he noted.

Yet after Pentecost, Scripture falls silent about her. Why? “She went into contemplative silence. Through prayer, she fanned the flames of Pentecost and these kept the Church alive.”

This, he said, is the model for consecrated women today. “Our call is to demand that you become the wife of the Spirit. That’s a personal journey of the heart.”

The Power of a Woman on Her Knees
Linking the Sisters’ vocation to the survival of the early Church, Bishop Mupandasekwa reminded them: “We are the agents that keep the fire of Pentecost aflame. Power comes from a woman who remains on her knees.”

He challenged the new leadership to reflect: “Now imagine what you could do to keep the General Chapter alive — to keep the Church going, growing! That is why the most important part of the constitution is prayer.”

The SOLA Sisters now begin this journey under the guidance of their newly elected leadership:

Sr Agnes Nyoni — Superior General
Sr Stabile Maposa — Vicaress
Sr Shyline Maphosa — First Councillor
Sr Angeline Marira — Second Councillor

Their mandate is both old and new: to evangelize without fear, to lead from a place of prayer, and to keep the fire of Pentecost burning in every mission, school, and hospital they serve.

Keeping the General Chapter Alive
The General Chapter has ended, but its spirit continues. As Bishop Mupandasekwa emphasized, constitutions and plans are vital — yet it is contemplative prayer that fans the flames.

In the footsteps of Mary, and filled with the same Spirit of Pentecost, the SOLA Sisters step forward.

Veni Creator Spiritus. Come, Holy Spirit, renew the face of the earth.

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Fanning the flames: Bishop Mupandasekwa’s Pentecost charge to the N...

21/05/2026

Points of reflection by Bishop Mupandasekwa’s | SOLA Sisters General Chapter Opening Mass🙏🏽

The SOLA Sisters General Chapter opened this week with Mass led by Bishop Mupandasekwa. The week-long gathering will include prayer, reflection, and the election of new leadership.

Key takeaways from the Bishop’s message:

A time of direction
General Chapters are key moments that set the direction for the Church and the mission.

Open our hearts
“We too must open the windows of our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in the path God wants us to walk.”

Still on track?
He challenged each Sister to ask:
Am I still aligned with the vision of our Founding Mothers?
Am I faithful to the mission for which I was set apart in this Congregation?
Is my vowed life structured with a rhythm, a religious rhythm that grounds me?

Back to our roots
Vatican II calls us to rediscover the spirit of our founders. Are we clear about the pastoral mandate given by our Founding Father and Mothers?

Our missionary identity
- What is being asked of us as SOLA today?
- Are we clear about our missionary dimension?
- We are preachers of missions, living a synodal life together.
- What do we lack to fully carry out the missionary work entrusted to us?

God sustains His work
“What God establishes, He will not allow to die, unless we allow it.”

As the Sisters enter this week of prayer, discernment, and elections, we join them in asking for the Holy Spirit’s guidance to remain faithful to their charism and mission.

11/03/2026

Chinhoyi Diocese Social Communications
Yesterday was a day of deep joy and grace for our Congregation and for the Church. We gathered as a family to witness a beautiful step in the journey of faith as our dear Candidates moved into the second stage of religious formation the Postulancy. It was a moment filled with gratitude, hope, and trust in God who continues to call hearts to follow Him.

The stage of Postulancy is a very special and important time in religious life. It is a period where the young women who feel called by God begin to enter more deeply into the life, spirituality, and mission of the Congregation. During this time, they learn what it truly means to live as religious women sharing daily life, prayer, service, and community with the Sisters. It is not only a time of learning but also a time of discernment, where both the postulants and the Congregation continue to listen carefully to the voice of God.

This stage helps them to grow spiritually, emotionally, and communally, preparing their hearts and minds for the next sacred step the Novitiate. The Novitiate is the time when one enters more profoundly into religious consecration, and therefore the Postulancy becomes a foundation, helping them understand the values, charism, and commitment required to fully give their lives to God.

During the Eucharistic celebration, the homily reminded us of the beauty and responsibility of responding to God’s call. We were encouraged to remember that a vocation is not simply a personal decision but a loving response to the voice of God who calls each person by name.

The homily emphasized several important aspects of religious life:

• “Following the Call of God.”
Fr Mapanda reminded us that God continues to call young people today just as He did in the past. Responding to that call requires courage, trust, and generosity. Like the disciples, those who are called are invited to leave behind their fears and walk with Christ in faith.

• “Living a Healthy Community Life.”
Religious life is not lived alone. It is lived in community, where sisters support, encourage, and walk with one another. A healthy community is built on respect, understanding, patience, and shared prayer. In such a community, each sister becomes a gift to the other.

• “Loving Like Christ.”
The heart of religious life is love, a love that reflects the love of Christ Himself. The homily reminded us that a religious sister is called to serve with compassion, humility, and generosity, especially towards those most in need.

As we celebrated this meaningful step, we also extend a message of encouragement to all young women who may feel a gentle stirring in their hearts.

Do not be afraid to listen to the voice of God. A vocation is a beautiful journey where God leads you to discover the fullness of your life and purpose. If you feel called, take time to discern, pray, and seek guidance, for God never calls without giving the grace needed to follow Him.

To our dear Postulants, we say:
May this new stage of your journey be filled with growth, joy, and deeper intimacy with God. May you continue to walk with courage, trusting that the One who called you will always guide and sustain you.

And as a Congregation, we continue to pray that more young women may open their hearts to God’s call, embracing the beauty of a life dedicated to love, service, and mission in the footsteps of Christ.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

10/03/2026

10/03/2026

Today we celebrate a truly beautiful life.👌🏽🎊🎊♥️

Happy 77th Birthday, dear Sr Luisa! 🎉🎂 Your life has been a precious gift not only to our congregation but also to the people of Zimbabwe, especially in Chinhoyi Diocese, where you have lovingly served for more than 45 years.

Through your dedication, humility, and tireless missionary spirit, you have touched countless lives, bringing hope, faith, and compassion to many. Your journey is a testimony of faith in action a life generously given in service to God and His people.

May the Lord continue to bless you with good health, peace, and joy. May He reward the many seeds of love you have planted over the years, and may your life continue to inspire generations to come.

Happy Birthday, Sr Luisa. Thank you for your beautiful witness of love and service. 🌷🙏