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. 🌷🙏

13/02/2025

Pilgrims of Hope

19/02/2024

"Daily Wisdom of Saint Padre Pio
"God will provide."

In these profound words, we find solace and reassurance in the unfailing care of God. Just as in the Daily Wisdom series, this statement serves as a reminder of God's steadfast love and provision for us.

May this wisdom resonate deeply within us, guiding our hearts to trust in God's abundant grace and care in every circumstance. Let us hold onto this truth as an anchor for our faith, knowing that God's love and provision will always sustain us.

14/02/2024

*Wednesday, February 14, 2024 Ash Wednesday*
Joel 2:12-18
Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17
2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

*LENT —TAKING OFF THE MASK*

*_“When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do.... When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites… When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites…” Matthew 6:2, 5, 16_*

Hypocrisy is an ugly sin. Essentially, being a hypocrite is being a fraud. The word itself comes from a Greek word referring to a mask that actors wear to depict their character. The person behind the mask would pretend that they were the person depicted by the mask. Therefore, a hypocrite is one who pretends to be who they are not.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus condemns those who give alms, pray and fast for the wrong reasons. Their almsgiving is not done out of charity and a desire to help, but out of an attempt to win the praise of others. They babble prayers on the street corner in an attempt to make others think they are holy. And when they fast, they make sure that their appearance looks “gloomy” so that others are impressed. Performing charitable works, praying and fasting are certainly good actions. But these actions must be authentic. Otherwise, they are not what they appear to be, and the one doing them is nothing other than an actor wearing a mask of virtue.

As we begin our Lenten season, we are each invited to take off the masks we wear so that the real person shines forth. We are especially called to combat any spiritual hypocrisy we struggle with for two important reasons. First, when people wear a mask of holiness, pretending to be more virtuous than they are, they sometimes end up even fooling themselves. Just as an actor may become so caught up in their character that they temporarily take on that character’s thoughts and feelings, so we also can become blinded by the truth of who we are when we habitually wear a mask of holiness. When that happens, we lose sight of who we are, where we need to grow, what we need to change and even what good there is within us. Lent is an important time for regaining authentic self knowledge so that we can grow in virtue.

It is also important to take off the mask so that others will benefit from our true selves. A person who pretends to be charitable, or pretends to pray, or pretends to be holy, cannot benefit others. God cannot authentically work through a hypocrite. Though the facade of holiness may seem appealing at first, the truth is that the real you, the authentic you, is the person that others want to know and will benefit from the most. Even your weaknesses and failures, when honestly faced, will become a source of strength and blessing for others.

Reflect, today, upon who you are. As your soul stands naked before the face of God, what does God see? Who are you? What masks do you wear? What is behind that mask? Use this Lent to look more deeply into your soul so that you will discover the person you are. Don’t be afraid to discover your sins and weaknesses. And don’t be afraid to see your authentic goodness. Seek to be real this Lent, and God will be able to shine more brightly through you.

_My authentic Lord, You wear no mask, have no facade. The purity of Your divine soul shone through Your human nature as You walked the Earth, and now You call me to share in that purity. Please help me to see the ways that I hide behind false virtue, so that I can discover my true self. As I do, please transform me and shine forth through my soul for all to see. Jesus, I trust in You🙏

19/06/2023

Congratulations👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽to our sisters who committed their lives to serve God through our special Charism- “of taking care of the spiritual and material needs of young people and young women in Africa”

Three sisters took their perpetual vows namely Sr. Angeline Marira, Sr Tecla Jaravaza and Sr Esther Kugarakuripi. In a ceremony that was celebrated during a holy Mass that was celebrated by Bishop Raymond Mupa at Corpus Christ Cathedral yesterday. Sr Faith Nyoni also made her first profession.

Perpetual profession completes the initial formation process, thereby making a final commitment to follow the chaste, poor and obedient Christ in the context of our Community. The whole Diocese celebrated with the SOLA sisters and to our sisters who professed, we say may Mary our mother guide you in this new journey you have begun.
Sisters of Our Lady of Africa-SOLA srs

19/06/2023

*Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy*

*365 Days with Saint Faustina*

*Reflection 170: Fidelity on Good Days and Bad*

It’s easy to love God when we feel like it and when life is going well and is quite easy. But when life is challenging, we are immediately tempted to turn in on ourselves and, in so doing, turn from our love for God. But a true sign of holiness is that we love God no matter what we feel or experience throughout our day. Come rain or shine we must not waver in our love for our God and others (See Diary #893).

Do you allow your emotions to dictate your faith? Do you allow the difficult circumstances of life to take you away from your absolute fidelity to your God? This is a real temptation and one that many fall into. Reflect, today, upon how you deal with difficult days and difficult moments. Seek to renew your faithfulness and love in the most challenging moments and you will discover that this act transforms you in ways that “easy living” never will.

Prayer

*Lord, I give You this day and I give You my whole heart this day. No matter what I feel or experience today or tomorrow I commit to You to remain faithful in all things. I promise not to allow daily hardships or burdens to weigh me down and damage my faith.
My Jesus, I love You and choose to remain faithful to You always. Jesus, I trust in You* 🙏🙏🙏.

28/05/2023

Counting down.....