Ursuline Sisters Celebrate Silver Jubilees

Ursuline Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated the Silver Jubilees of Sr Antonia Khathi SU and Sr Martha Shezi SU

By Sr Margaret Mary SU – “The world needs religious women who radiate the joy of the Gospel, who demonstrate that a life given to God is not diminished but a life enhanced, not a life restricted but a life that is free, not merely a life of survival but a life of abundance and flourishing. ‘I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.’ Jesus said. After twenty-five years, do you have that abundant life? Does it show?” Bishop Sithembele Sipuka during his homily on December 08, 2025

The Ursuline Sisters of the Blessed Virgin celebrated the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on a profoundly meaningful and blessed note. In keeping with the Province’s annual tradition of honouring this feast with special devotion, this year’s celebration held particular significance as two of the sisters, Sr Martha Shezi SU and Sr Antonia Khathi SU, marked 25 years of religious vows. The celebration was held at St Nicholas of Flue Parish in Libode under the Catholic Diocese of Mthatha where the Ursuline Sisters’ Provincialate is located.

When a religious celebrates 25 years of Religious Profession, the count begins from the moment they made their First Vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. It is important to note that these 25 years do not include the initial years of formation. In other words, the Silver Jubilee does not refer to the first time one joins a Congregation but rather marks a quarter-century of committed religious life following one’s first profession of vows.

It was indeed a special day for the sisters, who were supported by family, friends, priests from both within and beyond the Mthatha Diocese, and the faithful. Bishop Sipuka of the Catholic Diocese of Mthatha was the main celebrant, and in his homily, he reflected on two profound themes: the nature of the Grace for which the sisters were giving thanks, and the importance of Examination of Conscience when celebrating such a milestone.

“…because of this prevenient grace, this grace that has walked before you over the past twenty-five years, like Mary, you can look back and say ‘The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.’” said Bishop Sipuka

The Bishop noted that among the different types of graces that the Church has classified, celebrating twenty-five years of Religious Profession is a celebration of Prevenient Grace that is, a grace that comes to each one of us whether we know God or not.

“Mary received everything from God her immaculate conception, her divine motherhood, her role in salvation. But she also gave everything else, her service, her presence at Calvary, her continued faithfulness. She is the perfect model of grace and response, of gift and responsibility, of receiving and giving.

This is what religious life should form in us: people like Mary, full of grace because God has filled us, but also full of faith because we have responded with our whole being. People who can say “All is gift” and also “I have given my all.” explained Bishop Sipuka

God grants this grace(prevenient) freely, without any effort or consciousness on our part, a divine calling that precedes our own understanding or response. And with this Grace, like the Blessed Virgin Mary, we are called to act in faith on whatever it is God asks of us with trust that He will walk with us.

The Bishop encouraged the sisters to look deeply and faithfully into their journey as religious, reflecting on what they have done with the gift they have received from the Lord.

“Finally, our examination of conscience on this twenty-fifth jubilee should lead us to realise that we are not just called to stay in the convent and enjoy a personal relationship with Christ. We are also called for a mission in the world, especially in a congregation whose founder, Venerable Anne de Xainctonge, was keenly aware of social issues that needed to be addressed.” said Bishop Sipuka

He urged the sisters to reflect on how they have contributed to their own spiritual, human, and emotional growth, and how they have enriched the lives of others. The Bishop challenged all religious and priests present, reminding them that all are called to serve the Church fully and without reservation. The efforts of priests and religious must be centred on serving the Church, because that is where their calling truly lies.

The Ursuline Sisters appreciate the work that Sr Martha Shezi SU and Sr Antonia Khathi SU have contributed, and continue to contribute, to the Congregation and to God’s People.

“The Church today needs religious women who are not passive recipients of ministry but active agents of mission. Women who don’t wait to be told what to do but who discern needs and respond creatively. Women who are not dependent but empowered. Women who don’t need to be taken care of, but who take care of others.” Bishop Sipuka emphasised

The call to religious life is indeed a special gift that God grants to humanity. It is a gift that benefits not only those who are called to serve God in this way, but also everyone else on earth.

When we reflect on Mother Mary’s example, we see that she did not receive the grace to bear God’s Son for herself alone. Rather, her awareness and acceptance of this Divine call was destined to benefit generations upon generations. In the same way, the response to the call of religious life carries a collective benefit that extends far beyond the individual.

Religious and priests are called to serve God through every human being, without boundaries or limitations. Their ministry touches lives, transforms communities, and builds up the Kingdom of God in ways both seen and unseen.

Reaching 25 years of faithful commitment to this call is a profound sign of God’s enduring ministry working through humanity. On such milestone celebrations, we might envision God as a Loving Parent or Guardian, proudly witnessing the graduation of His sons and daughters, not as an ending, but as a celebration of perseverance, growth, and the fruitful years of service already rendered, with many more still to come.

May Sr Martha SU and Sr Antonia SU continue to commit themselves with renewed strength, boundless love, and abiding joy, as they carry on building up the Kingdom of God, making their Father in Heaven proud.