Sister Desalech Getachew grew up in a devout Catholic farming family in the Tembaro district in central Ethiopia, where as a child she sang in her parish choir. There, she discerned a religious vocation.
She entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Christ and enrolled in college after her novitiate and initial service. Her academic journey, marked by late nights, hard work and unshakable faith earned her a diploma in nursing with distinction.
Raised in the village of Homa, northwest of the capital city of Addis Ababa, Sister Zemen Kerilos, too, discerned a vocation with the Franciscans. She studied at a Montessori Kindergarten Teacher Training Center in Soddo, southwest of Addis Ababa, run by the Daughters of Charity.
Both women professed perpetual vows at St. Anthony Parish in Ashira, situated in the Apostolic Vicariate of Hosanna, in the country’s southwestern region, 26 April.
CNEWA has supported the formation program of the Franciscan Missionaries of Christ for novices and junior sisters since 2018. Sisters Desalech and Zemen were among those who benefited from the support of CNEWA’s donors.
“Before joining the congregation, I convinced myself that I would study nursing to care for the sick, the poor and pregnant mothers with love and compassion,” said Sister Desalech, who works currently at the Ashira Catholic Health Center. “Now my dream is realized as I serve people through a healing ministry. I thank my congregation for entrusting me to this service and CNEWA for supporting to make my dream come true.”
Sister Zemen teaches in her congregation’s kindergarten in Addis Ababa.
“I don’t have riches to give these children,” she said with a warm smile. “But I offer them love, my presence and my attention. I teach, listen and play with them. I am blessed to be living my dream of serving the poor.”
Tarekegn Umuro, a program officer for CNEWA’s Ethiopia office, attended the profession of perpetual vows. He said the sisters witness to the success of the CNEWA-Franciscan partnership and to CNEWA’s impact on the formation of church leadership in the country.
The Franciscan Missionaries of Christ trace their foundation to Rimini, Italy, in 1885. The first missionaries of the community set foot in Ethiopia in October 1972. Since then, the number of local sisters has grown, and eight communities are established across the country — in the Archeparchy of Addis Ababa, the eparchies of Emdibir and Bahir Dar-Dessie, the apostolic vicariates of Hosanna and Awasa, and in the Robe prefecture. Currently, there are 64 local sisters, including eight junior sisters who are in formation.
The congregation faces growing challenges, as all the Italian sisters who were raising funds in Italy have returned home because of age, and some have since died.
“In this time of transition, CNEWA’s presence and partnership have become even more vital,” said Mr. Umuro.
He said the profession of final vows was “a powerful reminder of what happens when hearts, hands and prayers come together in collaboration.”
“The grace of God, the willingness of the two sisters to the call of God, the faith and inspiration of families, the dedication of the congregation, and the financial support of partners have borne a bountiful harvest: Two young, vibrant and compassionate women are now fully dedicated to the service of Christ and humanity filled with radiant hope.”