A transformative experience in Sadama community, Ethiopia
In this article, we hear from Catherine Mutua, another postulant who was having her short mission experience in our mission in Sadama, Ethiopia. She is originally from Kenya and is undergoing her postulancy formation in Eswatini.
I am so grateful to God for the gift of my congregation, and for the grace and opportunity of a one-month experience in Sadama Community. It was a wonderful time for me to experience MSC life in the following areas: pastoral ministry through encountering the marginalized, visiting the elderly who cannot reach the church and bringing the Eucharist to them, interacting with youth and promoting vocation ministry, participating in teaching the Summer English program for children from grade one to three and living in community with Sr. Amarech Herego, Sr. Addise Agago, and Sr. Evarlyne Ndeti.
Witnessing the resilience and struggles of the marginalized population within the community challenged my heart and mirrored Christ’s call to serve the lowly and forgotten. I felt deeply moved by the sisters’ quiet strength, courage, and daily dedication to uplifting others. Their tangible actions through education and housing efforts are not treated just as projects, but as the restoration of a human face, voice, and dignity. Simply visiting the people allowed me to just be present with them. I witnessed the MSC identity of compassion by bringing the love of Christ to these communities, ensuring that every individual felt loved, valued, and empowered.
It resonated deeply within me to witness the sisters bringing hope and the Eucharist to the elderly not just talking about love, but walking miles to sit with frail, lonely old people. This showed me that true ministry lives in physical closeness and quiet listening. Seeing those faces light up when receiving the Holy Eucharist revealed how the sacraments bridge physical isolation with eternal hope, making God feel intimately nearby. This shared moment shaped my own vocation, showing me that religious life is not about counting the cost, but about becoming a living bridge of Christ’s light.
Interacting with the youth touched a deep chord in my heart. Seeing their eagerness to learn about life and to know more about religious life made my own stage of religious discernment feel vibrant and collaborative. It was also a moment to deepen my gratitude for the path of formation I have chosen as a postulant. Furthermore, interacting with the kindergarten children in the English program made me feel that I was participating in shaping the minds and hearts of the future generation.
In this picture, Catherine was helping Sr. Addise during one of the summer English classes.
In community life, I experienced wonderful hospitality that gave me a sense of belonging from the very first day. We shared meals, joyful recreation, and honest conversation as a missionary community. Spiritually, I felt nourished by the quiet, natural beauty of Sadama. I found peace through daily morning and evening prayers, the communal Eucharist, and quiet time.
It was also a profound opportunity to experience how the presence of the MSCs is helping to break the isolation by moving directly into marginalized spaces. Through their physical presence, they show that everyone is loved, seen and valued. This mission is centered on the Gospel truth that every person reflects the image of God, directly challenging local cultural norms that justify exclusion. It was motivating to witness how the congregation is truly present in church synodality, responding to the urgent needs of the church just as Mother Cabrini always wished. I experienced excellent physical and emotional well-being, feeling renewed and deeply grateful for this grace-filled time.
Catherine and the choir members from Our Lady of Consolata parish in Shone smiled for the camera
