My name is Sister Florence Manja, Daughter of Wisdom. I was born a twin at Saint Andrews, a small Christian Community of Ntenje Parish in the Archdiocese of Blantyre. That is situated in the Southern part of Malawi, Central Africa.
I grew up in Ntenje Village and I spent half of my life around that area. I witnessed a real life of struggles as a typical Malawian youth. It was life of poverty at home and even more poverty at school.
My parents were subsistence farmers and my mother, Cecilia, brewed local beer and sold it as a means to earn a living.
The most interesting thing is that regardless of their poverty, my parents were strong Catholics. My father Mr. Daniel Manja reflected on the word of God daily using the Bible and could comment it. My parents were the greatest mentors of my life.
Being identical twins, my father facilitated our ambitions. He wanted one to become a nurse and one to enter religious life and serve as a teacher. When I was selected to go to Secondary School, I really wanted to serve God’s People as a religious.
During holidays I met a Sister called Mary Mkwangwanya, who belongs to the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a local Congregation formed by the Daughters of Wisdom. She enlightened me, on how I can become a religious Sister. She even gave me details of several Congregations with their different charisms and spiritualties. And then, with the support of my family, I made up my mind to join the Daughters of Wisdom. I visited the Daughters of Wisdom at Lunzu {Provincial House) in the archdiocese of Blantyre. Sister Stella Joachim, the vocation promoter, welcomed me and assisted me.
That was the beginning of my journey with the Daughters of Wisdom. Each annual school holiday I used to go and attend the “come and see” sessions. During such sessions, I was initiated to the Charism and Spirituality of the Daughters of Wisdom and the different fields of their apostolate. I felt really attracted to this, so much so that I felt my life will be fulfilled by being a Sister in the Congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom.
After finishing Secondary School, I joined that Congregation, where I learned and experienced their spirituality: seeking and contemplating Christ Wisdom, knowing him, sharing my experience with all people and depending on God Alone in all things. As Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort, our Founder said: “No cross, what a cross.” This really inspired me to forge ahead in searching intensely for the love of God in wounded humanity and to continue widening the space of my tent (Isaiah 54: 2)
As a Daughter of Wisdom, I witness the love of God in two ways: First, through health care services as a nurse;
The most interesting thing is that regardless of their poverty, my parents were strong Catholics. My father Mr. Daniel Manja reflected on the word of God daily using the Bible and could comment it. My parents were the greatest mentors of my life.
Being identical twins, my father facilitated our ambitions. He wanted one to become a nurse and one to enter religious life and serve as a teacher. When I was selected to go to Secondary School, I really wanted to serve God’s People as a religious.
During holidays I met a Sister called Mary Mkwangwanya, who belongs to the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a local Congregation formed by the Daughters of Wisdom. She enlightened me, on how I can become a religious Sister. She even gave me details of several Congregations with their different charisms and spiritualties. And then, with the support of my family, I made up my mind to join the Daughters of Wisdom. I visited the Daughters of Wisdom at Lunzu {Provincial House) in the archdiocese of Blantyre. Sister Stella Joachim, the vocation promoter, welcomed me and assisted me.
That was the beginning of my journey with the Daughters of Wisdom. Each annual school holiday I used to go and attend the “come and see” sessions. During such sessions, I was initiated to the Charism and Spirituality of the Daughters of Wisdom and the different fields of their apostolate. I felt really attracted to this, so much so that I felt my life will be fulfilled by being a Sister in the Congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom.
After finishing Secondary School, I joined that Congregation, where I learned and experienced their spirituality: seeking and contemplating Christ Wisdom, knowing him, sharing my experience with all people and depending on God Alone in all things. As Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort, our Founder said: “No cross, what a cross.” This really inspired me to forge ahead in searching intensely for the love of God in wounded humanity and to continue widening the space of my tent (Isaiah 54: 2)
As a Daughter of Wisdom, I witness the love of God in two ways: First, through health care services as a nurse;
second through vocation promotion. As A vocation promoter I visit the youth in schools and parishes.
You young women, if you experience the love of God and want to share it with others, come join us!
