9th December 2018 will forever be a historic day for the congregation. On this day the East African Region was elevated to a province. The intense preparation that had taken place over many months culminated on this special day. There was an atmosphere of newness, joy, enthusiasm and positive energy; all gifts from the Spirit. It felt like the joy of a woman in giving birth to an offspring.

The new province was born within the context of the Eucharistic Celebration with the solemn proclamation of the decree for a new province by our Superior General, Sr. Pauline Farrugia in the chapel of Lang’ata community. The mass was presided by Reverend Fr. Stephen Mbugua the Vice-Chancellor at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. In his sermon, Fr. Stephen congratulated the sisters for the steady growth the region has gone through to become a province. He added that though this is a reason to rejoice, it is more a call to take greater responsibility in serving the congregation and the church with humility.

After the reception of the Holy Communion, the Superior General proclaimed the decree for the erection of the new province. She gave a brief and up-to-date history of the province since its inception. This was followed by the commissioning of the First Provincial Superior and her team (councillors and bursars). Each of them as a sign of acceptance of their responsibility read a formula of commitment and signed it in the presence of the Superior General. There was great rejoicing as there would be when a child is born. Sr. Pauline Farrugia expressed her deep-felt appreciation to the sisters for their growth through the years. The new provincial Sr. Josephine Keino acknowledged in humility the new responsibility while asking the sisters to continue supporting her and her team.

The rest of the celebration was marked by cake cutting, sharing a special meal and entertainment. It is in this spirit that the capitulants for the first provincial chapter started their first session. The theme for the chapter being; Living the Charism deeply and authentically. We thank God for bringing us this far as we place our trust in the Sacred Heart in whom the new province has taken its name.