About Religious Congregations
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
18
May 2026
His Lordship Peter Musikuwa, Bishop of the Diocese of Chikwawa has condemned in strong terms recent actions of mob justice that has left 8 people dead and a number wounded, having allegedly been accused of being the cause for some people’s private parts missing. The Bishop expressed his sentiments during the 60th commemoration of World day for Communications, on Sunday 17th May 2026, at Our Lady of Fatima parish in Nsanje. In recent days, communities in the lower Shire districts of Nsanje and Chikwawa have lived in fear after some people allegedly claimed that their private parts were missing. This resulted in the killing of the suspects without proper proof of the claims. It is widely believed that these claims are baseless, false, and medical experts who managed to examine the claimants have not found any validation of the claims. Therefore, the Bishop expressed shock and said that the continued attacks on innocent people are unlawful, inhumane, and a serious violation of human rights and the rule of law. Celebrated under the theme “Preserving human voices and faces”, this year’s commemoration is a call and reminder to the world to use digital platforms and the Artificial intelligence responsibly to avoid misinforming the public. The misuse of these platforms also destroys the dignity of the human person.
Read More →
Tue
12
May 2026
Bishop Peter Musikuwa has urged members of the clergy who are holding different offices to reflect the light of Christ in their work. The remarks have been made at the Bishop’s house conference room on 12th May 2026, when he invited chaplains and directors of different apostolates and institutions for a meeting. The meeting has been organized for the members to appreciate the Church’s expectation of every office bearer, and give them opportunity to share their experiences in their responsibilities. In his speech that marked the opening of the meeting, the bishop called on members to remember that they are only doing the work on behalf of the Church and Christ. He therefore called on priests to live lives that reflect the light of Christ, as a sign of obedience to his commands. “Make sure to uphold ethical standards as you discharge your duties, acknowledging that any unethical way of carrying out the duties seriously tarnishes the image of both the church and the minister.” He said. The meeting has drawn together office bearers from the around the Diocese. The meeting will run for a day.
Read More →
Tue
12
May 2026
Bishop Peter Martin Musikuwa of the Diocese of Chikwawa has urged young people to desist from resorting to mob justice as a way of seeking redress. The Bishop made the remarks at Ngabu on Monday 11th May 2026during the funeral of Mr. Alan Mashonga. Speaking after the mass, the Bishop was reacting to news that is viral recently that people are being accused, and killed for being suspects in the alleged mysterious missing of males’ private parts. “I urge all young people, because from the look of things it is young people that are in the forefront of pelting punishment of people suspected to have had a hand in the missing of men’s private parts. Let us all seek redress from relevant authorities.” Said Musikuwa. Earlier at the same function, senior group village head Misongwe, lamented the impact of recent events relating to mob justice in the Lower Shire valley. “These rumors and our subsequent actions seeking to address the challenges are tarnishing the good image that our region has always had.” He said. Recently, society has been fed with rumors that some men are removing other men’s private parts in Nsanje and Chikwawa districts. This has led to civilians resorting to killing suspects without following the right channels. As it stands, 43 people have been arrested and are currently being held on remand at Chichiri Prison all answering charges of murder. Ironically, those that claimed that they had their private parts removed, have not suffered such. Civil Society Organizations in lower shire will soon roll out a sensitization campaign on the same. Meanwhile, there is calm in the region especially hot spots as heavy police presence is the order of the day.
Read More →
Tue
5
May 2026
Bishop Peter Musikuwa of Chikwawa Diocese on Sunday presided over the enrollment of 20 new members into the Young Christian Workers (YCW) movement, using the occasion to challenge Catholic youths to reject destructive habits and become models of leadership. In his homily, Bishop Musikuwa expressed concern over rising crime and substance abuse among Malawi’s youth, who make up the majority of the population. “It is worrisome to see so many young people indulging in unruly behaviors such as excessive beer drinking, which renders them unproductive,” he said. He urged young Catholics to join youth movements like YCW, where they can interact with peers, develop leadership skills, and grow in faith. “The time you are spending here is precious,” the Bishop told the new members. “Right now, some of your friends are weak from drinking all weekend. But you have set yourselves apart. I want to see youth in all parishes join these movements or other Church groups.” Echoing the Bishop, Diocesan YCW President Andrew Tembo called on members to live out the Church’s teachings through both spiritual and social action. He emphasized the YCW method of _See, Judge, Act_ as a tool to respond to community needs. “Newly enrolled members must not stop here,” Tembo said. “Make the movement attractive to others and spread the Gospel through your actions, following the example of St. Joseph the Worker.” YCW commemorates its feast day annually on May 1. Chikwawa Diocese marked the occasion with charity work at St. Martin Hospital, where members donated assorted items to patients and guardians. The celebration culminated Sunday with the enrollment of 20 new members: 11 from Molere Parish, 3 from Nkhate Parish, 2 each from Chikwawa, Nchalo, and Fatima parishes.
Read More →