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
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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Wed
9
Sep 2026
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), has organized a stakeholders workshop aiming to asses and explore more ways of making the commission and its activities visible. The workshop which will run from 9th to 10th September 2026, at Linde Motel in Mponela. Addressing the house at the opening of the workshop, Lewis Msiyadungu, National CCJP Coordinator, mentioned on the need of the Church and CCJP in particular, to keep pace with the current trends in media and communication so that the impact of the commission does not only reach the targeted community but the wider community as well. Setting the tone at the beginning of the workshop, Dr Peter Chinoko, one of the lead facilitators, said the workshop is not about media but the voice. He recalls the 30 years that the CCJP have been seen as the voice of the voiceless. Among the topics to be shared are: diagnosis of CCJP’s visibility, Understanding Media landscape, relationships and collaborations with all stakeholders. CCJP is a branch of the Social Services Directorate that deals with issues of governance.
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Sat
5
Sep 2026
The Diocese of Chikwawa has concluded a three-day Eucharistic Congress held from Thursday to Saturday, 3 to 5 September 2026, at Jubilee Square, Chikwawa Cathedral. The Congress was held under the theme “Eucharist: Source and Summit of our Christian Life and Mission.” Rt. Rev. Peter Musikuwa, Bishop of Chikwawa, was the main celebrant and led the gathering of priests, religious sisters, catechists and the lay faithful. The programme included Eucharistic celebrations, sessions on the Eucharist, the Sacrament of Penance, adoration and Benediction. The Congress reached its high point on Friday with a Eucharistic procession from Chikwawa Cathedral to St Lawrence Girls Secondary School. Speaking during the gathering, Bishop Musikuwa said the aim was to help the faithful understand more deeply the meaning of the Eucharist in their Christian life and mission. He asked that similar gatherings be held more often so that Christians may know the meaning of the Eucharist, the reverence due to it and other related matters. The Bishop also thanked everyone who took part and helped make the Congress possible. On Saturday, Vicar General Fr Cosmas Chasukwa closed the event on behalf of the Bishop and thanked all the groups that served in different ways. He asked them to keep offering the same service at other church celebrations. John Nyaika, who chairs the body that represents the laity in the Diocese, said the Eucharist had shown that the people want to remain one. He said the faithful of Chikwawa Diocese are ready to take up the different works of the Church and asked those who are able to keep supporting the Church. Fr Matthews Kamiza, who coordinates liturgical events in the Diocese, specially thanked the parishes of Chikwawa, Nchalo and Ngabu for sending choirs, girls who serve at the altar and boys who serve at the altar. Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion from various groups and parishes were sprinkled with holy water and given the items they need for their ministry. By: Communication’s Department
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