When Sr. Bibiana Ngundo and Sr. Lucy Mwesa took the stage to present their research on the “Formation Journey of a Sister”, the audience were drawn into an honest and deeply reflective exploration of what it truly means to nurture the vocation of young religious women today. Their study, conducted across Kenya and Zambia, offers a rare glimpse into the lived experiences of 100 second-year novices from 17 congregations.

The study sought to answer a vital question: How well do current formation processes prepare Catholic sisters for the realities of religious life and mission in the 21st century? The findings, grounded in the four dimensions of formation; spiritual, human, intellectual, and pastoral painted a picture of both deep commitment and significant challenges that shape the future of consecrated life in Africa…