Adeladius Makwega–MBAGALA
It is the evening of January 26, 2026. Mwanakwetu is on his mobile phone when he suddenly comes across a short video clip showing three Catholic nuns: one looking at a crowd of people, another clapping her hands, while the third—who appeared younger than the others—was watching a brass band playing on the side of the image that was not fully visible. Suddenly, this nun burst into laughter.
From Mwanakwetu ‘s observation, it appears that this nun did not expect that there was someone filming her, and I think this video was recorded using a mobile phone, focusing on these nuns from Tanzania.
Mwanakwetu shared this image widely for three main reasons:
“First, these nuns were extremely beautiful; second, the nun on the right side of the image, who is Black, clearly seemed to be attentively following what was going on, and the nun on the left was also following the event—perhaps some kind of celebration. Most importantly, the nun in the middle, who was younger, had her entire mind, her eyes, her whole body fully present in that very moment, following the event, and in the end she gave the photographer a very beautiful smile. From Mwanakwetu’s observation, this nun’s smile was not fake; it was a genuine smile. She showed no hostility toward the photographer.”
Because of these three reasons, Mwanakwetu went on to research the congregation of these nuns:
“The Catholic Sisters Catechists of Mary Immaculate Help of Christians (SMI) are a religious congregation of the Catholic Church founded on December 12, 1948, in Krishnagar, India, by Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow, SDB. The congregation is dedicated to evangelization, catechesis, and social empowerment, serving communities through education, health services, and rural outreach, while living by the motto: ‘To love God and to help others is to love God.’
The congregation was founded to meet the need for deep evangelization; the sisters focus on faith education, especially in rural areas.
Their works include home visits, running schools and dispensaries, rural missions, preparing children for the sacraments, and supporting marginalized groups. Although its origins are in India, the congregation has expanded its mission to other regions, including East Africa. In Tanzania, they have been working since 1998, engaging in pastoral ministry, teaching catechism, conducting home visits, and running clinics in various areas such as Dar es Salaam, Kibaigwa, and Miyuji in Dodoma, with a special focus on education and community service.”
What does Mwanakwetu say today?
Mwanakwetu is diligent in following the social media platforms of various religions and has observed that only a few denominations—and even fewer church organizations—share information on social media. Even where accounts exist, there are often commercial motivations, especially concerning choirs, where many choirs have now become sources of income.
“If they come to sing at a wedding, you must pay money; if they come to sing at a funeral, you must pay; if they come to sing in a community gathering, you must pay. This may be acceptable, but payment should not be compulsory. If you sing and are given a gift, that is fine; if you are not given anything, you thank God. Let it be like the Christians of old—the catechist, the evangelist, the choir, the priest, the pastor—ensure them food and transport, and even a gift if possible.”
Many church social media platforms do not post information on time, and even when they do, the quality is poor. For example, someone may upload an entire service exactly as it is. This is fine, but after the live broadcast, short, well-prepared clips with good content about the Mass or service should be produced and shared on social media in good quality.
Regarding the Catholic Church, I recall that the Second Vatican Council (1962, 1963, and 1964) emphasized the use of the media in the document Inter Mirifica.
Dear reader, allow me to quote a section from the appendices at the very end of this document, which says:
“In order that the general principles and norms of this Sacred Synod concerning the means of social communication may be put fully into effect, it is the express will of the Council that the office of the Holy See mentioned in number 19, with the help of experts from different nations, should issue pastoral instructions. Moreover, this Sacred Synod hopes that its teaching and regulations will be willingly received and faithfully observed by all the children of the Church. By using this help they will suffer no harm, but rather, like salt and light, will give flavor to the earth and enlighten the world.
Furthermore, the Synod invites all people of goodwill, especially those who direct these means of social communication, to strive to use them fully for the benefit of society, whose future increasingly depends on their proper use. Thus, as in the case of the ancient arts, may the name of the Lord be glorified by these new inventions, according to the words of the Apostle: ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.’”
These are explanations from Inter Mirifica. Indeed, there is one challenge concerning the media: sometimes journalists are prohibited from taking photos or recording events without permission.
“It is not the time to begin changes—no! The entire Mass, no photography, no recording. Some religious leaders argue that they are not yet prepared. What a journalist needs are precisely the homilies and nothing else. Above all, everyone should have good intentions—everyone should have goodwill. The central point is Christ Jesus, the Risen One. Whether it is a service or a Mass—whether one is a believer, an evangelist, a catechist, a pastor, a priest, a bishop, a cardinal, or the Holy Pope—the focus is the Risen Jesus Christ, and no one else.”
When you look at this image of the three nuns, it gives a powerful impression that the Catholic Sisters Catechists of Mary Immaculate Help of Christians live in peace within their congregation, love one another, and love the people around them. These nuns have spread smiles of laughter, smiles of joy. They are not frowning—because if they were frowning, at whom would they be frowning? For this Risen Jesus Christ should not be confined by limits.
Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember:
“Above all, let everyone have goodwill.”
I wish you a good day.
Adeladius Makwega
makwadeladius@gmail.com
0717649257
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