Foundation
The beginnings actually started when two Ugandan candidates entered the formation program in our Nairobi Priory in 1981. In time, the question of a future mission in Uganda was raised. A request for sisters came from the Bishop of Tororo, where the Missionary Benedictine Monks have a Priory. Mother Edeltrud Weist, (at that time Vicaress General) made the initial visit to Uganda, "The Pearl of Africa," in 1982. In June of that same year, M. Gertrud Link made a follow up visit. However, since there was already a contemplative community of Benedictines in Tororo, and because an urgent request came from Bishop Joseph Willigers, MHM, of Jinja, consideration of a new foundation shifted from the Tororo Diocese to the Jinja Diocese.
By 1992 a 20.5-hectare plot was purchased and in 1993 Sr. Elisabeth Tilly was assigned to supervise the construction of a dispensary (which included an annexed convent wing) and kindergarten. The Evangelizing Sisters of Mary on Rubaga Hill welcomed the community of three during the construction phase: Sr. Elisabeth Tilly, Sr. Benedicta Yeo and Sr. Judette Pulle, (a Ugandan Junior sister professed in 1991). The sisters were in constant dialogue with the Generalate. Sr. Chantal Gerster, then prioress in Nairobi, and our Benedictine Fathers and Brothers in Tororo were our special supporters in meeting the challenges of construction and when purchasing all the big and small needs of a new community. March 21, 1996, Bishop Willigers blessed the new dispensary, monastery (one wing of the dispensary) and kindergarten.
In the following 20-plus years the community and ministries continued to develop.
" A sugar cane plantation (first harvest in 2002) and farm were developed for community self-sustainability.
" St. Benedict Grade School (an expansion from the kindergarten established earlier) opened its doors in 2001, buildings were added in 2002-2003, 2007.
" Plans and construction of the new monastery were long and hard, as the rocky subsoil proved a major challenge. Initial plans had to be largely abbreviated, leaving the upper floor unconstructed. The one-story monastery was completed in 2009.
" St. Benedict Dispensary stretched out and up as they added a reception area, a maternity wing and a dentistry department.
In our short history we have had six superiors:
" Sr. Elisabeth Tilly (1993-1999)
" Sr. Sophia Lee (1999-2005)
" Sr. Athanasia Simon (2005-2008)
" Sr. Mary Vincent Feliciano (2008-2014)
" Sr. Ruth Bartonico (2014-2015) until her election in Peramiho
" Sr. Rosann Ocken 2015 - present
December 1993 Departing Nairobi loaded with loving support
Blessing of the Ground 1994
1995 Entire Community before the temporal Convent (left) and Dispensary (right)
1998 First official Visitation
2008 Community in front of the Construction of the new Monastery
Formation
Since our first Ugandan formandees entered with our sisters in Karen, we have looked to our community there for our formation needs. Currently, we have three novices and one postulant in formation in Karen. We are so grateful for their support over the past 25+ years. Currently the Jinja community is preparing to have the initial stages of a formation program in our monastery.
Membership
Over the years, many sisters from many of our priories from throughout the Congregation have given a part of their lives to foster the up building of the Jinja community. Today we are sixteen professed members: seven final professed and nine junior professed. All but two are from East Africa.
2015 October – Community at the time of the Visitation
Ministry - St. Benedict Health Center
Sr. Anna Mary in the Dispensary Lab
Ministry - St. Benedict Grade School
Over six hundred students from Kindergarten to Primary-Seven have the unique opportunity to blend excellent education with a lively experience of faith formation. Without a doubt, our head teacher,
Sr. Judette Pulle, all the sisters, faculty and staff are shaping the future of Uganda!! Our school focuses on:
" The development of the whole person, moral development
" A Benedictine sense of "being community" -caring for one another
" Making Christ present to the children of all faiths (Muslims come to our school.)
" Respect for each person and the enhancement of the tribal cultures.
" Intellectual development and co-responsibility.
" Care for creation
Sr. Augustina Joseph with Kindergarten graduates
Student Dancers at feast
Challenges
Because our community membership is still so young, probably our first challenge is to strengthen and develop the community in every aspect of our Missionary Benedictine lives. Professional training of our young members is a constant challenge.
Our primary ministries of the dispensary and school are respected for their very high quality. However, both ministries are very challenging for a small, developing community.
Vocation and Formation development will be essential for the future of the community and our ministries.
The face of poverty is before us daily. Outreach to the poor (beyond our institutions) remains a challenge because of lack of finances and trained personnel.
That in all things God may be glorified!
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