Tertiary Sisters Leadership Visits Three Provinces in Cameroon

This summer, the General Leadership Team of the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis visited the St. Clare, St. Francis and Maria Hueber provinces, the three provinces that serve Cameroon. The canonical visitation provided an opportunity for the congregation’s leadership to meet with sisters and provincial leadership teams, hear about their experiences and challenges, and strengthen collaboration across the congregation.

The visits were organised around the theme, “Rediscovering Our Franciscan Identity: Living Our Charism with Fresh Joy.” At each convent, members of the General Leadership Team met with the community as a group and with sisters individually. The visits concluded with community meetings in which the leadership shared its observations and encouraged the sisters in their religious life and ministry.

Throughout the visitation, the General Leadership Team also presented its vision for the congregation’s 2025–2031 term, as outlined in the General Chapter statement: “Rooted in the Gospel, we respond to the signs and needs of our times.” Sisters reflected on what it means to be united in mission while responding courageously to the needs of the people and communities they serve.

A particular emphasis was placed on community life. The sisters were encouraged to regard their religious communities as an essential part of their mission by listening to and supporting one another, appreciating cultural differences, participating fully in community life and addressing conflicts constructively. The leadership also called on sisters to resist individualism, use technology responsibly and continue studying the congregation’s Rule and Constitutions.

The General Leadership Team expressed particular appreciation for the resilience of the sisters who have continued their ministries through nearly a decade of conflict in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions. The leadership recognised their work with internally displaced people and other vulnerable communities, as well as their continued commitment to education, healthcare, pastoral ministry and other forms of service during difficult circumstances.

The visitation also provided an opportunity to consider greater collaboration among the three provinces while respecting their individual responsibilities and leadership. Sisters were encouraged to approach their ministries with simplicity and authenticity, strengthen communication within the congregation and remain attentive to the needs of the communities around them.

Superior General Sr. Theodosia Baki encouraged each sister to make the congregation’s vision personal, so that its priorities would be reflected not only in leadership plans but also in daily community life and ministry. The visitation ultimately called the sisters back to the foundations of their Franciscan vocation: life rooted in the Gospel, strong religious communities and service shaped by compassion, hope and solidarity.