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
27
Apr 2026
Bishop Peter Martin Musikuwa of the Diocese of Chikwawa has urged youths in the Diocese to be fully committed to Church activities as they are the hope and future of the Church. He made the remarks on Sunday, 27th April at St Kalemba Parish where youths gathered for the celebration of World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The Bishop reminded the youths of their duty to fully commit themselves to their faith, among others being in good standing with the Church so that they can enjoy God’s abundant graces in the Church through the sacraments. During the celebration, the Bishop read the papal message designated for the day. The celebration brought together youths from all over the Diocese. After the Eucharistic celebration, youths had time for recreation through traditional dances, dancing to music but also a live performance by Kanikani, a young up and coming musician from Chikwawa. Next Years celebration will be held in Chikwawa deanery at a parish to be announced in due course.
Read More →
Fri
17
Apr 2026
The Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB) has announced the celebration of the Quasquicentennial celebration of the permanent establishment of the Catholic Church in Malawi. The announcement has been made through a communication made by Rt Rev Martin Mtumbuka, Chairperson for the conference. Termed as a historical celebration, under the theme, Rooted in Christ, sent for a mission: celebrating 125 years of evangelization in Malawi, this will a momentous occasion to recall the early missions who came to Malawi bringing the Good News of salvation. The celebration will be held on 19th September, 2026 at St Mary’s (Nzama) parish, the first catholic parish in Malawi. “We are honored that Most Reverend Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary for the Dicastery for Evangelization, will preside over the celebration as special delegate of the Holy See. His presence will signify our communion with the Universal Church, and with His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, the successor of Peter.” reads the statement. The celebration has been hailed as an opportune time to remember the sacrifices of the early missions, the Church’s commitment to evangelization through education, healthcare and social development , contributing to spiritual, human and social development of the society. Nzama parish is the first parish to be established in Malawi after earlier futile efforts of the preceding missionaries.
Read More →
Wed
15
Apr 2026
As they say, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Wanting to be the nucleus from which the DNA and the whole being of the Divine Mercy Apostolate in the Diocese, a group formally known as the Daily Rosary Prayer group, rebranded in recent years, now seeks to gain recognition and spread throughout the Diocese. The intentions were made during an interface meeting when the group from Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Molere parish, led by Fr Matthews Kamiza, met His Lordship Bishop Peter Musikuwa at his residence. The meeting took place on Wednesday, 15th April 2026. In his words, Fr Kamiza, stated that the purpose of the visit was to inform the Bishop of the existence of this group, and their intentions that it should grow and become a Diocesan grouping. “We started as a group dedicated to prayer the rosary at Molere church. Later, after my arrival in the parish and having seen what they did, I recommended that they become Divine Mercy apostolate” Recounted Fr Kamiza. The group began from a small group of Christians in Molere who joined in prayer to prayer for different needs. They usually prayed the rosary and sought the intercession of the Blessed virgin Mary. Catherine Dominiko Kapusa is one of the first members of the group. She recalls that they first grouped as Christians devoted to praying the rosary called Daily Rosary group. ” We used to meet once in a month, often having overnight rosary recitation, and other prayers. We also had Eucharistic adoration.” she recalls. Catechist Enoch Galeta, a member of the group, can only sing good of the Divine Mercy Apostolate. He cites a number of good things that the members have received from God’s mercy. This is a testimony of the benefits of the apostolate and now they want to share all that with all the faithful in the Diocese. Once given full recognition, the apostolate will be established as a Diocesan lay apostolate and the pioneer members will be sent on a mission to spread it to all the parishes in the Diocese.
Read More →
Sat
11
Apr 2026
Bishop Peter Musikuwa of the Diocese of Chikwawa, has urged members of the I am Catholic and I am Proud grouping to deepen their knowledge of the Catholic faith and then teach and practice others. The Bishop made the statement during the Eucharistic celebration, marking the official beginning of a three day National Annual General Meeting for the lay group. During the celebration, the Bishop acknowledged the duty that members of the group have to help in spreading the Catholic faith. However, he said, this is only possible if members know and practice what they know about the faith. “Let us all be like the first community of believers; they attracted many to the new religion by their lives” He said. In his remarks, National Chairperson for Proud Catholics pleaded with the Bishop to appoint a priest to be chaplain for the group in the Diocese. The meeting will end tomorrow Sunday after a day’s deliberation, among the issues, the discussion on their national constitution.
Read More →