The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa, founded in Bura in 1929 and apostolically erected in 1938 by Bishop John Hefferman Cssp, is a Diocesan Religious Institute.
Msgr. Hefferman intended the Sisters of St. Joseph to be an apostolic religious congregation deeply involved in all activities related to the development of the local Church through evangelization in Kenya and especially in Mombasa. Mombasa was part of the Vicariate of Zanzibar, which later developed into its own diocese; hence the name of the Congregation became Sisters of St. Joseph of Mombasa.
The four founding sisters of the Congregation made their first vows on December 8, 1941. They were Sr. Mary Njeri, Sr. Theresa Nyambura, Sr. Joseph Nyambura and Sr. Martha Tatu. The four experienced a long wait before consecrating themselves to God. They were determined to become sisters just “like the European sisters” of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood, which maintained that young African women should have a solid foundation in Christianity and religious life.
As a Congregation of consecrated women, they live and work among ordinary people, guided by the spirit of simplicity, service and prayer.
They strive to give authentic witness in the world while living their spirituality, which is rooted in humble obedience to the will of God. Union with Christ through prayer and daily contemplation of the Gospel message gives that disposition of simplicity that governs all their service. Simplicity, as witnessed in the life of Saint Joseph, is what characterizes the life of the sisters of this Congregation. It is through prayer and work that they unite, praise and glorify Almighty God. Saint Joseph is the model and inspiration who in his work humbly listened to the voice of God and followed His will. Following his example, the sisters are obedient to God as they serve Him through brothers and sisters in need in religious communities, parishes, society and the global community.
Over the years the Congregation, now composed of about 310 sisters, has grown and spread even beyond the Archdiocese of Mombasa. The sisters are present in several dioceses of Kenya (Mombasa, Malindi, Machakos, Murang’a, Kitui, Kitale, Nakuru and Nairobi) and Tanzania (Arusha, Moshi and Dar es Salaam). Their communities are also in Malawi, Italy, the United States of America, Austria.
Charism
Their charism is to witness with simplicity among the people to the salvific and evangelizing mission of the Risen Jesus. This happens through knowledge of the many faces of Jesus: Teacher, Healer, Prophet, Merciful Lord, Missionary, Preacher. They work where the people of God have the greatest need, uplifting them in their spiritual and social search. Thus the sick, children, women, young people, orphans, those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, the oppressed and the marginalized all find a special place in their apostolic works. Whether it is assisting the sick in hospital, teaching in the classroom, harvesting on farms, counseling a street child or being involved in administrative work, they do it for love of God and neighbor.
Contacts
https://www.facebook.com/people/Sisters-of-St-Joseph-Mombasa/100067319566029
P.O. Box 97285 Mombasa, Coast Province, 80112, Makupa – Kenya
Phone +254700393430
Mobile +254726798451