Pilgrimage signifies a special journey to a special place with a special meaning, for this special reason we made a pilgrimage to Madeira where our good mother foundress was touched by the Spirit to start the Congregation of the Franciscan sisters of Our Lady of Victories, where we had a great opportunity to live at the feet of the Good Mother, and to touch her mission and her living and actual charism in a closer, more intense and lively way. It was a special and fruitful time in the deepening of the knowledge of the true reality, lived and realized by the Good Mother, in her work and mission. It was also a grace and an unrepeatable experience. The experience was a special and fruitful moment that gave us the opportunity to deepen Sister Wilson’s missionary vision.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to the Superior General of the Congregation, Sister Cacilda Rosa Joaquine Torcida Gamboa, to her Governing body, and to our respective Provincial and Delegation Superiors, for having offered us this precious opportunity to go to the sources of our history in order to learn more about the history of the Congregation, to allow ourselves to be edified and strengthened by the same water from which our Foundress drank, and finally to walk in our turn in her footsteps with greater determination, happiness and joy, animated by the desire to keep alight the lamp carried by Sister Wilson throughout her life. May we now express our sincere thanks to the sisters of the Province of the Heart of Mary, and especially to Sister Ana Marques, the Provincial Superior. They have all welcomed us with a great love. How can we forget Sisters Conceição Pereira, Guida Paula and Isabel Freitas who accompanied us in all our Communities and showed us around the places where Sister Wilson spent precious moments of her devotion and mission! The group of junior sisters for the perpectual vows preparation 2023 includes the following:
- Sister Alphonsine Masengu Luishiye
- Sister Brigida Marcos Estefanio
- Sister Michelin Jenifer
- Sister Mistica Cruz
- Sister Sahaya Joyner Stefani
- Sister Soushia Josep
Sister Irène Barbosa the formator and the 4th councilor of the General governing body accompanied us in our pilgrimage. We represent an international community of diverse origins. We have visited the following communities where we experienced also the spirit and presence of Sr. Wilson1/ Collège Sainte Therese de l,enfant Jésus, 2/ Quinta das Rosas, 3/ Machico, 4/ Santa -Cruz, 5/ Camara de Lobos, 6/ Santa da Serra, 7/ Saint Jean, 8/ Valformozo,9/ Sainte Ana ,10/Saint Philippe,11/ palacete, 12/ Camacha. Our pilgrimage began on 2 June and came to an end on 19 June.
We learn from the witness of faith, love, joy and service of the Sisters in this land, that we appreciate very much for this gift of the Sisters are the fruits of Sister Wilson.
Wilson.
Thanking allonce again for providing this opportunity for us.
Sister Alphonsine Masengu Luishiye
