Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians celebrate 25 years of Africa Mission

Interview with Mother General, Sr Christine Mynsong MSMHC by Fr Vaclav Klement SDB

Sr Christine Mynsong’s background

I am Sr Christine Mynsong belonging to the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MSMHC). I come from a Catholic family of a middle class. I was in a boarding of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians during my school days and I have seen the sisters carried out the missionary evangelization activities. Their village tours, family visits, the visits to the sick and the poor inspired me much.

During the school holidays I had spent some days with them in the villages during the Eucharistic processions where they would stay for more than a week in a village to prepare children for First Communions, the youth for confirmation and the sacrament for marriage for couples. They stay with the people in the family and eat the food, sleep under the same roof with the family. They have their prayers before the people wake up so that they get time to conduct morning prayers for people before they go to the field.

This lifestyle was very inspiring and impressive for me, when I completed my high school I joined the Congregation. And after my formation stages I made my First profession in the year 1982 and carried out the same evangelisation activities in various parishes until my Final profession.

Who are the Missionary Sisters at 84 (founded in 1942, North East of India) of the Congregation?

The MSMHC – Missionary sisters at 84 have become more vibrant in their commitment to the primary Charism: the Evangelisation and Catechetical instruction and works of Charity. They have grown in terms of numerical numbers, expansion of the mission also in spirituality as we have inherited from the Salesian Spirituality.

Today with 120 novices amongst 2000 members, spread in 22 countries around all continents. In Africa with 30 members, in Eswatini, Lesotho, South Africa, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Kenya and Mozambique. Africa Delegation was established in 2026.

How are the MSMHC growing in term of vocation and expansion?

God has been so gracious to the Congregation to send more generous vocations, many of the young girls who join the Congregation are from our mission areas- the parishes, the villages,the boarding, the schools, and dioceses. Today we are about 2000 both the professed and the candidates.

What is your motivation to spread out of India?

The motto of the Congregation “ Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation” Mk 16,15 is the motivating point. This is our call to reach out the Gospel to those who do not know Christ. In our small little ways we envision and committed to do that.

What is your joy as the Superior General?

During my visits to different countries and communities I see the joyful living of the sisters as consecrated persons, the efforts for spiritual growth and interests in promoting vocation, their selfless sacrifices in the works of evangelisation through education, health care and social services and development which take them beyond boundaries like cultures, languages etc. Their faithfulness in carrying out the Spirit, Charism, Spirituality and Traditions of the Congregation.

What is your challenge as a Congregation?

The growth in holiness, faithfulness in observance the Constitutions, the vocations especially the local vocations in the countries we are working, the cultures and languages in the new centres. S of today we have the first African sister from Lesotho.

What is the impact of Africa?

As the future of the Church is in Africa I am hopeful that with the progress in faith and hope and development in many areas, the potentials and talents of natural gifts, the people especially the youth in Africa can be very vibrant, strong and radical in their faith and life.

What is your contribution to the large Salesian Family?

The faithfulness in the Salesian Spirituality, especially the pastoral ministry with the model of a Shepherd- Jesus, the collaborations in the mission, the unique Charism of our Congregation that manifest the Salesianess.

What may be your suggestion for any future Salesian Mission Day theme?

“Builders of Peace in Wounded Land”

“Skilled Hands, Hopeful hearts”: Build the Youth’s future”

“Caring for our Common Home: Mission in Southern Africa”

“Faith rooted in culture: Gospel meets”

“Sharing in Mission: I am because We are”

How do you feel after the eSwatini silver Jubilee?

I feel happy for the presence in eSwatini but I feel we have much to do for the people- faith, social development, education and the life with responsibility.

Encouragement for the young Catholics of Southern Africa?

Jer: 29:11 “ For I alone know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.

God has great plan for you young people, God believes in you, therefore believe in God. Your degree may be delayed, your jobs may not come today. Your family may be broken. But God’s plan for you is not cancelled.

My dear young people Stay in prayers, integrity, hope, togetherness. Rise up the Church needs you, your voice, your commitment, talents, your country needs your resources, talents, gifts goodness and generosity. Your generation can change from violence to peace from despair to hope.

Believe in yourselves rather depending on others. God bless!”