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
Sun
13
Sep 2026
Catholic Traditional leaders from within the Diocese of Chikwawa have been urged to establish good relationship with the communities they serve and also with the Church. The call was made today 13th September, at Mzimu Woyera(Nkhate) parish, where the leaders gathered to mark the beginning of their journey to form a grouping of catholic chiefs in the Diocese. Celebrated under the theme “ Be strong and show yourself a man; and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in His ways and keeping His commandments … that you may prosper in all that you do” (1Kg2:2-3), the celebration was led by Bishop Peter Musikuwa. In his speech to the leaders, Bishop Musikuwa called on the leaders to execute their duties as a God given mission to serve His people. He therefore, called on all chiefs to have good relations with both the communities they serve and the Church. The celebration was marked by two main parts, Eucharistic celebration with the chiefs together with the faithful of Nkhate parish, and then later an interface between the Bishop and the chiefs. The meeting resolved that every parish must have a functioning executive by December 2026. So far, three parishes, namely Nkhate, Molere and Konzalendo have already been registered.
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Sun
13
Sep 2026
The Diocese of Chikwawa joined Mustard Seed Communities Malawi for an Open Day, on Saturday, 12 September 2026, at Mpotadzingwe Village, Traditional Authority Kasisi, Chikwawa. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Peter Musikuwa was the main celebrant of the Holy Mass. Priests, Brothers, Sisters, members of the Laity Council, the faithful, partners from Zimbabwe Mustard Seed Communities, government officers, companies and well-wishers attended. Bishop Musikuwa thanked the Parish Priest, Parish Council and Christians of Chikwawa for organizing the day. He expressed gratitude to the District Social Welfare Office for identifying vulnerable children and welcomed the Zimbabwe delegates as a sign of oneness. The Bishop also thanked the Friends of Mustard Seed Communities, companies such as PEP Stores, Centenary Bank, COFO and many individuals for their support. He noted that Mustard Seed Communities arrived in Malawi on 1 October 2016 and is marking its tenth year of service. Bishop Musikuwa encouraged the Church to celebrate this anniversary every year and called for quick repairs to the poor road leading to the center. Village Headman Mpotadzingwe thanked Mustard Seed Communities for the development it has brought and appealed for improvement of the road, which becomes impassable in the rainy season. District Social Welfare Officer Aaron Macheka thanked the centre for its partnership in caring for vulnerable children in line with the Child Care, Protection and Justice Act. He welcomed the plan to introduce vocational skills training. Father Francis Mpatsa, Vice Board Chairperson of Mustard Seed Communities Malawi, thanked all present for their support. Companies and individuals who attended shared various gifts with the children. A luncheon followed the Mass, guided tour and speeches. The Diocese looks forward to continued collaboration with Mustard Seed Communities in caring for the most vulnerable.
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Fri
11
Sep 2026
Secondary schools under the Diocese of Chikwawa have delivered an impressive performance in the 2026 MSCE results released by MANEB. The Diocese is filled with pride over this remarkable improvement that reflects hard work discipline and dedication by both teachers and learners. Mzimu Woyera Seminary and St Lawrence Girls Secondary School achieved a perfect 100 percent pass rate bringing great joy to the entire diocesan family. Phwadzi Secondary School produced the best candidate among all diocesan schools with an outstanding score of 12 points. Education Coordinator for Chikwawa Diocese Geoffrey Madala, described the results as a clear sign of progress and commitment. He said “This year’s MSCE results show that schools under Chikwawa Diocese have performed well. This shows a great improvement than last year as all schools have managed to produce more candidates with grades that can be enrolled in Public Universities. We take pride in all schools.” Madala further highlighted the excellence at Phwadzi Secondary School where 13 candidates scored between 12 and 19 points showing strong teamwork and determination. The highest points scored by candidates from each diocesan secondary school are as follows Mzimu Woyera Seminary 13 points, St Lawrence Girls Secondary School 15 points, Phwadzi Secondary School 12 points, Nkhate Community Day Secondary School 15 points, Fatima Community Day Secondary School 13 points, Mitondo Community Day Secondary School 19 points and St Michael’s Community Day Secondary School 16 points. These results stand as a powerful testimony to the quality of Catholic education offered in the Diocese of Chikwawa. The Diocese warmly congratulates all successful candidates teachers and school management teams for this outstanding achievement and encourages them to continue striving for even greater excellence.
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Thu
10
Sep 2026
Catholic women from across the Diocese of Chikwawa begin a three-day gathering today at Tengani Parish in Nsanje District. The meeting runs from Thursday 10 September to Saturday 12 September 2026 under the theme “The Year of the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” Its focus is “The Catholic Woman, Messenger of Hope in the Family,” inviting every Catholic woman to grow as a bearer of hope within her home. Fr Felix Bzyakulima, Chaplain of the Catholic Women Association in the Diocese, will guide the participants on their spiritual journey and practical Christian living. Sessions will cover how a Catholic woman serves faithfully in the home, the parish and the wider community. Participants will also learn about Synodality, the shared journey of the Church, which rests on one baptism and one faith in God for all Catholics throughout the world. Mrs Nancy Chilenje, Chairlady of the Catholic Women Association in Chikwawa Diocese, said the aim is that every woman leaves the meeting ready to serve her family, her community and her Church with renewed strength. She expressed gratitude to the priests and sisters who prepared the programme, noting that their support helps the women walk together in unity. Beyond spiritual formation, the gathering will offer skills training, including simple business ideas that help mothers improve the lives of their families. Women will also share practical ways of facing the daily challenges that arise in the home. By: Communications Department
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