Faith Bound

Sr. Lucia Nassuuna, the Little Sister with the Giant Smile

Posted by Scott Sroda on Jan 8, 2014 11:08:00 AM

One of the biggest joys about working in Uganda is the people with whom I get to work. Immediately, upon going to Africa, a person realizes that there is something special about the people here. The four words that always come to mind when I think about the people of Africa, and specifically Uganda, are joyful, hospitable, friendly, and loving. Needless to say, there is plenty of reason why I wanted to come back after living here for three months in 2012.

I wanted to write this short blog post about someone who inspired me by her dedication, her commitment to service, and her love for God. She is the small sister on my left in the picture below, Sr. Lucia Nassuuna with the giant smile.

I got to know her on my first stay here through many visits to the convent at Namilyango Junior Boys’ School near Kampala, Uganda. She was always very friendly, and though she could not hear very well, she always made it a point to welcome and have tea with me after I arrived.
 
Mr. Joseph Kkonde (CARITAS Technical Coordinator in Uganda), Me (CARITAS Field Coordinator in Africa), Sr. Lucia, and Sr. Immaculate Nabukalu (CARITAS Director in Uganda) at the Namilyango Convent
Mr. Joseph Kkonde (CARITAS Technical Coordinator in Uganda), me (CARITAS Field Coordinator in Africa), Sr. Lucia, and Sr. Immaculate Nabukalu (CARITAS Director in Uganda) at the Namilyango Convent. Namilyango is one of the locations of CARITAS' Catholic child sponsorship programs in Uganda.

It was fascinating to learn about Sr. Lucia’s life as a nun in Uganda for 75 years – what incredible stories she had. It was with great pride that she explained to me her life as a teacher. Although she is over 90 years old, her memory was as sharp as ever. She told me with a big smile about her accomplishments – the girls’ schools she established in Northern Uganda, the way she worked to promote education among the people of Pallisa (a region in Uganda), how she later became the headmistress of two different schools, and most of all how she was going to be celebrating 75 years as a religious sister. Whenever she mentioned this Platinum Jubilee celebration, her eyes lit up, and her smile appeared. When I told her I would be attending this celebration, though she could not hear much of what I said, the word “Jubilee” revealed a deep joy in her eyes that no one could mistake.

When Sr. Lucia was recommitting herself as a sister on Monday, she processed down the aisle, and you would not believe the vigor with which this 90-year-old sister danced! The whole audience, over two thousand people, instantly erupted with cheers and laughter; they stood up clapping their hands, reciprocating her excitement. How joyful and blessed it was! When Sr. Lucia renewed her vows, rededicating herself as a religious sister after 75 years, she emphasized, “I recommit myself with AAALLLLL my heart” – the people in the audience started cheering and clapping their hands, no doubt inspired by the way she expressed herself. What a joy it was to be a part of that holy re-commitment, a celebration of life that has selflessly served others for so long.

 

Christians in Nkokonjeru raising their hands in prayer, celebrating Sr. Lucia's special day Supporters of Sr. Lucia in Nkokonjeru raising their hands in prayer, celebrating her special day

In the words of Sr. Lucia, “I thank the Lord for keeping me all these years as a handmaid, and enabling me to do all of these things. Thank you, Lord, for the wisdom you gave me to start primary schools, secondary schools, and teacher training colleges. I ask you for the grace of final perseverance.”

It was an inspiration for me to see Sr. Lucia’s humble dedication to God and the successes she has had in her life, all made possible only through trusting the Lord. It caused me to ask myself: “Scott, what are you going to use your talents for? With the gifts that God gave you, who are you going to serve, and how will the world be better because of the way God worked through you?” I pray to God that I can someday be as humble and self-giving as Sr. Lucia was, and that I can look back on the way that I spent my days on earth, and say -- like Sr. Lucia -- “thank you, Lord.”

St._Lucia 
Sr. Lucia, celebrating 75 years as a religious sister

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