Canonical Visitation in East Africa
A canonical visitation is an official inspection of a Catholic diocese, parish or religious community by a higher ecclesiastical superior (such as a bishop or superior general) to examine its spiritual and temporal state. It is not merely an administrative inspection, but also a pastoral act of communion aimed at strengthening the mission of the institution.
The PSMG Canonical Visitation began with an opening meeting on 17th January 2026 in Ting’ang’a, a small town north of Nairobi, which all Sisters in the East Africa area attended and met Superior General, Sr Margaret Cashman and two members of her Coucil, Sisters Mary Holmes and Mary Whelan. The theme for this Visitation, which occurs every six years, was “SMG Building Hope,” which neatly segues from Pope Francis’ theme for the Jubilee Year 2025, “Pilgrims of Hope.” Hope is a vital spiritual resource and when rooted in faith, enables us to face life’s challenges with resilience. It provides us with comfort, strength and direction.
Visitation commenced in Mwingi on 19th January and concluded on 11th March in Ting’ang’a. Sr Margaret and her Council travelled to a total of eight communities of SMG Sisters – seven in Kenya and one in Tanzania – where they met and conferred with each of the 48 Sisters individually. The schedule for visitation was a grueling one, with little or no break between the widely scattered communities and involved long hours of driving, often on hazardous roads, in blistering heat and at the mercy of blood-thirsty mosquitoes.
The visiting Sisters were impressed by all that they saw – from the recently constructed convent in Tanzania to the various communities’ flourishing shambas (farms or plantations), and the Sisters striving towards self-sufficiency and self-sustainability. More importantly, the visitors saw how the Charism of Mother Magdalen, Foundress of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God, was being lived out in the Sisters’ various ministries, which include education, healthcare, pastoral guidance and helping the very poor.
Although undoubtedly an exhausting couple of months, in difficult and unaccustomed circumstances, Sr Margaret and her Council, as PSMG elders, must surely be delighted with their visit, safe in the knowledge that the Congregation is very much alive with the vibrancy and energy of the younger generations of Sisters, who will continue to follow in their footsteps.