About Religious Congregations
Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate (SMMI) is a Religious Congregation of Pontifical Right. The Generalate is located in Paris, France. The society was founded in Paris on 15 October 1872 by Fr. Henri Chaumont and Madam Carré de Malberg to live the gospel and spread evangelical charity in the world. The missionary branch was formed in 1885, setting out its first missionary journey to India in 1889 led by the pioneers Mother Marie Gertrude, Mother Marie de Kostka, Sr. Magdalene and Sr. Joseph. SMMI is the missionary branch of the Society of the Daughters of St. Francis de Sales. The Missionary Branch of the Society of the Daughters of St. Francis de Sales became autonomous on 11th November 1968. It was raised to the status of an Apostolic Religious Institute of Pontifical Right’ and continues to remain as part of the Salesian Society. The Congregation is spread over 22 countries comprising 8 Provinces and 5 Regions. Charism The Charism of the Salesian missionaries of Mary Immaculate is to live the Gospel and to spread its spirt as religious: Salesian, Marian, and Missionary. Rt. Rev. Peter Martin Musikwa invited the Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate to his Diocese Chikwawa, Malawi. At Nagpur Sr. Alice Joseph with the consent of her council accepted the mission and the province began to pray for the new mission. As for the need of the mission, three sisters were named, namely; Sr. Shiji Mathew, Sr. Anjna Kujur and Sr. Archana Peter. The mission departed Nagpur on 10th evening by train to Bombay with their Provincial Superior Sr. Alice Joseph and Sr. Vanita. On 12th Dec. at 12.30 am, they departed India for Malawi. One of the general councillors Rev. Sr. Roseline Felice from France joined the mission from Nairobi ( Kenya). The mission arrived at Lilongwe airport and were welcomed by Rev. Fr. Valerian Mtseka deputy secretary General of the Episcopal conference of Malawi who is from Chikwawa Diocese. On 13th at 9.40 pm the mission arrived in Chikwawa and was welcomed by Rt Rev. Peter Martin Musikwa Bishop for the Diocese , Fr. Alfeo Boloma Bishop’s secretary, Fr. Alan Mathews Semba, the parish priest of Nchalo and sisters from the Congregations of Mary Consoler of the Afflicted and Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary were also present. On 18th Dec. during the solemn Eucharistic celebration at St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Bishop Peter Martin Musikwa installed the SMMI sisters in the Diocese of Chikwawa. After the Holy Mass the Bishop read out the declaration of the permission and the approval of the SMMI sisters to establish a religious community in the Catholic Diocese of Chikwawa. Rev. Sr. Roseline Felice the representative of superior general to signed the declaration on behalf of SMMI congregation. On 25th March a renovated building at Nchalo was blessed and named as Mary Immaculate convent by the Bishop, and on 4th April, the sisters moved into their new house, Mary Immaculate Convent in Nchalo. On 12th April the sisters began their healing ministry at St. Montfort hospital, Nchalo. The address is: SMMI Sisters, Mary Immaculate Convent, Montfort Hospital Campus, Off Chikwawa-Bangula road, Nchalo, Malawi. Sr Shiji Matthew, Sr Anjna Kujur and Sr Divya Joseph.History of the Congregation
Charism of the Congregation
History of the Mary Immaculate Convent Nchalo, Chikwawa
The following are the members of Mary Immaculate Convent, Nchalo.
Founded in 1925 by Bishop Louis Auneau – a French Montfort missionary. The charism of Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary is to lead a holy life deepened in humility of serving God. The sisters embrace holy poverty to emulate Mary in sharing and living together in community. Their spirituality is simplicity of Mary the handmaid of the Lord who accepted to do the will of God by becoming the mother of God.
Their headquarters is Mary View at Nguludi, Chiradzulu district. Their first profession of the congregation took place in 1928. Currently they have three communities St Felix in Chikwawa, ST Martin in Molere and St Matthews in Nchalo.
The congregation started on 3rd November 1842 in Munster Germany. It was founded by Fr Edward Michelle’s, a Diocesan priest from Germany. The sisters came to Malawi on 6th July 1960 and settled at Muona in Nsanje, where their mother house is up to date. In Malawi, the regional house is in Chinyonga. Their charism is “helping the poor both physically and spiritually so that they may experience God’s love”.
In the Diocese they have community in Muona, Trinity community and mother Virginia formation house. They celebrate their feast on Holy Trinity Sunday.
It was founded in Ireland in 1815 by Mary Akenhead. The congregation came to Malawi in October 2011 and set up a community at Konzalendo in Chikwawa Diocese. Their motto is “caritas urget nos”: The love of Christ urges us on. The founding grace for the congregation is the story of Lazarus in the scriptures, whose sermon moved the founder to give her life in service of the poor.
Sisters of the congregation take a fourth vow of charity. Their international headquarters is in Dublin Ireland. Apart from Malawi, they also serve in Nigeria, Ireland, England,Scotland and Carlifonia
The association was founded in 1999 by Late Bishop Felix Mkhori. There were two pioneer girls who were accompanied by Teresian sisters. These girls took their final vows in 2011. Their first community as an association was in Nsanje parish. From 2013 to 2019, these pioneer sisters were assisted by Good Shepherd sisters from Chipata Diocese in Zambia in recruiting and formation of girls to sisterhood. Their charism is “Compassion for the poor”
They have community houses at St Lawrence girls Secondary School, Nchalo, the Bishop’s residential area where there is a Postulate, and Bangula, a novitiate.
Also known as Sisters of Our Lady, Sisters of Our Lady of Amersfoort were founded on 29th July 1822 in Amersfoort in Holland. The founders were motivated by zeal to serve young people and poor children living under oppression through education.
The founders of the congregation were: Fr Matthias Wolff, SJ, Maria Stichters- Sr Matthia, Maria van Werkhoven – Sr Ignace and Martha Pijpers – Sr martha. The purpose of the congregation is for the glory of God, sanctification of members and the education of young people and the poor. They are found in Netherlands, Indonesia, Philippines and Malawi. Their communities in Malawi are at Stella Maris in Blantyre, Jacaranda in Blantyre, St Julie convent in Lilongwe and Bangula convent in Chikwawa Diocese.
The sisters arrived in the Diocese of Chikwawa in 1970 at the invitation of Bishop Vrouemen and devoted themselves to serve the needs of the poor at Bangula and surrounding areas.
Charism
Featured News
Mon
26
Oct 2026
Chikwawa Parish Young Christian Workers have elected Francis Khungwa as their Chairperson deputized by Angella Tembo while Hanneck Kadyamba and Boniface Kamgugu have bee elected as Secretary and Treasurer General respectively. The Parish YCW executive committee were elected yesterday, Sunday 25th October 2026,at St Michaels Cathedral during the Elective Annual General meeting. Earlier in the morning, the team held a fundraiser aiming at raising funds to assist the renovation of St Michael’s Cathedral project which is underway. Francis Khungwa, the newly elected Chairperson thanked the YCW team for committing themselves to different projects but also encouraged everyone to take a leading role in supporting church activities, nourishing faith as well as fulfilling church agendas and plans. Among the funds raised, there will be a small allocation to support a trip to Fatima next month and a big walk fundraiser in December. Chikwawa Parish YCW section has also agreed to revamp other youths groupings from outstations in the parish.
Read More →
Mon
26
Oct 2026
His Lordship Rt. Rev. Peter Musikuwa, Bishop of the Diocese of Chikwawa, made a pastoral visit to the Catholic Students Organisation (CSO) at Chikwawa Teachers Training College on Sunday, 25 October 2026. The visit was aimed at praying with the students, Catholic lecturers, staff and families, and strengthening their spiritual life. Catholic student teachers from Blantyre Teachers Training College also joined the gathering, in a strong show of unity of faith between the two colleges. Before Holy Mass, the Bishop and the congregation prayed the World Mission Rosary together in the Main Hall. Bishop Musikuwa then celebrated Holy Mass. The Gospel reading was taken from Matthew 22:34-40. In his homily, the Bishop reflected on the greatest commandment and urged the students to live a life of love. “We must love one another as we continue our studies and in our daily lives, for love is the foundation of our faith,” Bishop Musikuwa said. In his address after Mass, the Bishop thanked the community for the warm welcome. “It has long been my desire to visit the Catholic Students Organisation here at Chikwawa TTC since the college opened. I am happy that God has made it possible today,” he said. He encouraged the student teachers to grow both professionally and spiritually, reminding them of their important role in the Church. “The Church relies on you. Some of you will one day serve and lead our Catholic schools. The Church therefore needs teachers of good moral character,” the Bishop said. After Mass, the Bishop held separate meetings with the Catholic student teachers, the Catholic tutors and lecturers, and the Catholic families attached to the college. In the meetings, he spoke about discipline, good morals, and the vocation of teaching. “Teaching is a vocation, a service to both God and the nation,” he told them. Mr Kingsley Dunga, who spoke on behalf of the Chikwawa TTC CSO Patron, described the Bishop’s visit as a great privilege. “This visit is a great privilege for us. We are truly blessed to have our Shepherd praying with us,” Dunga said. He also thanked Fr. Alufeyo Boloma for the careful preparations that made the day “joyful and well ordered.” Mr Boniface Chimbwanya, Patron of Blantyre TTC CSO, said the students of Chikwawa TTC were privileged to receive the Bishop. He also commended the joint choir of the two colleges, saying, “We thank the choir for their dedicated service which made our liturgy so uplifting.” In their vote of thanks, Silvester Jamu, Chairperson of Chikwawa TTC CSO, and Martha Mchenga, Chairperson of Blantyre TTC CSO, expressed gratitude to the Bishop. “This visit has strengthened our spiritual life and encouraged us in our faith journey,” they said.
Read More →
Mon
19
Oct 2026
The Community of Sant’Egidio of Chikwawa donated school uniforms to twenty needy pupils at Milongera Primary School on Sunday, 18 October 2026. The school stands in Chitimbe Village under Traditional Authority Mphuka in Thyolo District under Nkhate Parish in the Diocese of Chikwawa. The simple ceremony took place after Sunday Mass at Changata Catholic Church, which shares the same grounds with the school as an outstation of the parish. The twenty children were chosen with care because of their clear need for this support. William Mpunga, Coordinator of the Community of Sant’Egidio in Chikwawa Diocese, shared that members of the community under Nkhate Parish freely contributed the funds for this work of charity. He said members had hoped to reach out to more children yet were glad to help these twenty despite limited resources. Mpunga described the gesture as a true sign of love and Christian solidarity and confirmed that the community will continue serving those most in need. Joseph Stenala, Headteacher of Milongera Primary School, thanked the Community of Sant’Egidio for arriving at the right moment to assist pupils from poor families. He encouraged all others to follow this example by sharing even the little they have with those who lack. Mathias Khaiya, speaking on behalf of all parents, expressed deep gratitude for the timely gift because many families could not afford uniforms for their children.
Read More →
Sat
17
Oct 2026
The Catholic Teachers Association (CTA) in the Diocese of Chikwawa held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday at Ngabu Parish, culminating in the election of a new Diocesan Executive Committee. Harry Rambiki of Bangula has been elected as the new Chairperson, deputised by James Mtengaponji of Fatima as Vice Chairperson. Rose Zwangeti of Bangula was elected Secretary, Chisomo Mwase of Njale as Vice Secretary, Mercy Kasuzweni of Ngabu as Treasurer, and Agness Khoko of Chikwawa as Vice Treasurer. The Committee Members are Ganizani Brighton of Nkhate, Robert Magaso of Nchalo, Fidelis Chalakwa of Chikwawa, and Richard Therula of Molere. The AGM was attended by the Diocesan Chaplain and Patron of the Association, Rev. Fr. John Denis Lockie, the Diocesan Education Coordinator, Mr. Geoffrey Mdala, and Catholic teachers from across the diocese. The meeting began with a reflection by Fr. Lockie under the theme “Rooted in Christ, Sent for Mission.” He reminded teachers that they are called to be fishers of Christ in the classroom and to serve as a vital moral compass for the young. He urged them to uphold professionalism and academic excellence while fostering unity that rises above tribal, political and economic divisions. He further called on teachers to recommit to intentional catechesis, so that children receive not only secular education but also deep formation in the Catholic faith. Fr. Lockie stressed that as the Church in Malawi marks 125 years since the arrival of the Montfort Missionaries, Catholic teachers are among the primary architects of the Church’s future. The reflection was followed by the celebration of Holy Mass. In her remarks, the Organising Chairperson of the AGM, Mrs. Vita Masamba Nkhope, thanked God for the successful gathering despite challenges such as fuel scarcity and limited finances that prevented many teachers from attending. She expressed gratitude to the Catholic teachers of Ngabu Parish for their cooperation in hosting the event and to the Young Christian Students (YCS) of Ngabu Secondary School for leading the choir during Mass. Mr. Geoffrey Mdala thanked all those present and explained that Ngabu Parish was chosen as the venue because of the strong involvement of its teachers in Church activities. He noted that the meeting was a success despite some difficulties in preparation and urged teachers to ensure their lives consistently reflect Christian values. Fr. Lockie also thanked all who made the effort to attend. He emphasised that the newly elected executive must remain active, visit parishes throughout the diocese, strengthen the Association, and encourage more Catholic teachers to join. The Association now looks forward to renewed commitment and greater collaboration among Catholic teachers across the Diocese of Chikwawa.
Read More →