In January 2020, Rome will host a meeting of the Superiors General and Presidents of the Vincentian Family. We continue this series of posts to deepen our knowledge of the many Vincentian Branches. Here we interview Sr. Janeth Hyera, Regional Superior of the Sisters of Mercy of St. Vincent De Paul of Mbinga (Tanzania).

How and when did your foundation take place?

Every year the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of St. Vincent of Paul in Untermarchtal/Germany support the German Bishop Eberhard Spieß in Peramiho, Tanzania, with the proceeds from their activity entitled the “star singing.” Bishop Spieß asked the Sisters not only to support him with money, but also to send Sisters to Tanzania. The community in Untermarchtal responded to this request with enthusiasm and in 1960 sent four sisters to Songea as missionaries.

Over the years, young Tanzanian women asked to join the community. In 1980, the first 8 sisters made their profession. The Tanzanian region now has 247 professed Sisters in 27 convents and 4 dioceses. The regional house is located in Mbinga.  At present, the Congregation of  the Sisters of Mercy of St. Vincent de Paul in Untermarchtal is in the process of developing a new canonical structure with Generalate, Provinces and Regions. The Region of Tanzania will become an independent province in 2021.

How does your Congregation reflect the Vincentian charism?

Our Congregation reflects the Vincentian charism through the services that we offer to different groups of people, including, orphans, handicapped people, the deaf , elderly, poor people. Yes, we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, teach catechism in schools, visit sick people in their homes and in the hospital, teach in schools and colleges, accompany young men and women, visit prisoners, work in hospitals and other social work in different places.

Your hopes and expectations for the Vincentian charism as we approach the meeting of the leaders of the Vincentian Family, scheduled for January 2020, in Rome.

My hope and expectation for the Vincentian Charism as we approach the meeting of the Leaders of the Vincentian Family in January 2020, is to share experiences with other members of the Vincentian Family, and learn from each other … learn how the the Vincentian Charism is lived according to needs of the people. I hope to be able to share with others about the challenges that we face in living the Vincentian charism.  If possible it would be good to find some common projects that can be engaged in by all members of the Vincentian Family.