How a young sister from Zambia experiences Mother Bernarda today

As a newly professed Holy Cross Sister I am observing daily how we Holy Cross Sisters are responding to the needs of the time in the Spirit of Mother Bernarda. Like her we too are concerned to bring new life to the young people of our country. The charism received and handed down to us by Mother Bernarda is alive and active in the way we bring the Gospel and with it life to them. It is thus that we are at work to transform society today.

Since my First Profession I am involved with the youth of our country. They suffer physical, emotional and spiritual deprivation. The AIDS-epidemic is affecting them and their families badly. These young people are badly hurt, broken and disillusioned. They feel lonely and abandoned with little hope left. The Government who should do something for the support of their families affected by HIV/AIDS is letting them down badly. Instead we notice the power-struggle, materialism, corruption in those "who have". Those who actually should give support, protection and guidance to the young often rape and abuse them.

What would Mother Bernarda do in such situations?

The situation was perhaps different in Switzerland in 1844 when our congregation was founded, or not? I see a similarity. Hoy just as then we have to take risks, courage to go out and do something about this situation of death. Hoy as then God cries out to us for help in these young people and suffering families. He wants to bring new life again into these situations of death. In this very context I feel Mother Bernarda alive in us Holy Cross Sisters. The seed that God had sown in her is sprouting in us today as we reach out with trust, courage, hope to go new ways in our involvement with these young people and families disrupted by disease and death.

We are there for them not to make them dependent on us but to help them to help themselves.

In our Holy Cross Communities I experience new life and support to continue bringing Jesus’ love to those who feel lonely and rejected. It is here where I receive new hope to bring new life into situations of death as we search and evaluate together our involvement in mission.

What do you say about Mother Bernarda?

Mother Bernarda is a saint. I am proud of her and admire her. She suffered opposition, conflict, hardships to remain faithful to the charism God had entrusted to her. She carried the cross of difficulties and sickness without complaining for the love of this gift received from God. She trusted that God was a Father who would bring everything to a good end. Because of her faithfulness the Holy Cross Congregation came into being, survived and flourished.

What meaning does she have for you and why?
She is a great treasure to me and a model of a true Holy Cross Sister.
What I am today I am because of her. The seed that God planted into this world through Mother Bernarda lives on in me in the community of the Holy Cross Sisters. We are united in this spirit of Mother Bernarda as I share life with them, pray with them, live the vows with them for mission. Her Spirit is all around me, constantly encouraging me to remain faithful to my vocation, to trust, to be prepared to take risks, to be open and truthful, to endure difficulties for the sake of mission.

I am grateful to Mother Bernarda for her faithfulness to God and for having supported me in my struggles since I decided to join Holy Cross. I know Mother Bernarda will always support me with her powerful intercessions with God. I trust her.

Sr Dorcas Ikasaya, December, 2001