One of the Catholic sisters who was once abducted during Zimbabwe’s war of liberation, Sr. De. Cora Bere, (LCBL) joined others in celebrating 60 years in the religious community of the Little Children of Our Blessed Lady Sisters (LCBL).
Sr. De Cora was among the priests, brothers, and sisters who were abducted from Mary Mount Mission in Mt. Darwin and were force-marched to Chimoio, Mozambique, on foot, at the height of the war of liberation.
Joy, song, and thanksgiving filled Regina Mundi Primary School on Saturday, 25 April 2026, as families, friends, and the faithful gathered to celebrate the religious anniversaries of twelve LCBL Sisters who had accomplished 25, 50, and 60 years in the convent.
The Eucharistic celebration was graced by His Grace Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu, joined by priests, religious men and women from various congregations, and lay faithful from across the Archdiocese of Harare. The air was alive with prayer and praise as the choir lifted hearts with melodious hymns, setting a reverent yet festive tone for the day.
Sr. Christine Ganda (LCBL) and Sr. Regina Kunze (LCBL) celebrated their 25th anniversary, while Sr. Maggie Mutopo (LCBL), Sr. Eugenia Sanyika (LCBL), Sr. Evangelista Ruocha (LCBL), Sr. Romana Donato Makwindi (LCBL) praised God for attaining a 50-year feat. The six, Sr. de Angelis Chari (LCBL), Sr. Rosaria Chidemo (LCBL), Sr. Boromeo Musariranwa (LCBL), Sr. de Cora Bere (LCBL), Sr. John Mbidzo (LCBL), Sr. Dolores Chidyausiku (LCBL), reached the rare and grace-filled diamond jubilee of 60 years in religious life.
Five of the jubilarians hail from Mount St. Mary’s Parish, Wedza, bearing testimony to the deep-seated faith of that community. Their presence turned the celebration into a grand occasion as parishioners from Wedza celebrated their spiritual maturity with song, ululation, and gave thanks for the gift of vocations nurtured in their midst.
Among the jubilarians was Sr. de Cora Bere, who, in an interview after the holy mass, struggled to put her joy into words. “I am very happy, and I can’t really describe the joy inside me,” she said, holding back her tears. “I was not expecting that I could reach this far.”
With tears of joy, she recalled the experiences that shaped her vocation. In 1978, during the liberation war, she was taken by comrades from Marymount and marched on foot to Mozambique with other Sisters.
“That experience strengthened me to be what I am today,” she shared. “God was with us through it all.”
To young people discerning their path, Sr. Bere, offered simple but profound advice: “The first choice is the best. I can’t regret being a nun.”
Preaching during the Mass, Fr. Fanuel Magwidi OFM, reflected on the meaning of the jubilee. “Jubilee is a time of grace,” he said. “It is an opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness and to forgive others.” He reminded the congregation that a jubilee is not an end, but a renewal of commitment.
Encouraging the Sisters, Fr. Magwidi turned to St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians. St. Paul, he noted, never claimed to have finished the race, but pressed on each day toward the goal. In the same way, he told the jubilarians, “Celebrating 25, 50, or 60 years does not mean the race is over. It is a call to remain faithful, to run each day with perseverance, trusting in God’s grace.”
As the twelve Sisters renewed their vows, the gathering was a living witness to fidelity, sacrifice, and joy. Their silver, gold, and diamond years on earth stand as signs of the treasure they store up in heaven – crowns awaiting those who endure in love and service.
The LCBL family, together with the whole Church, gives thanks for these women who said “yes” and have kept saying “yes” for decades.
