The Comboni Missionary Sisters celebrated on Wednesday a Day of Remembrance of the group of sisters who were taken prisoners during the Mahdiya in the Sudan.
At least eight sisters and three priests were kept captives in very harsh conditions in El Obeid and Omdurman during the Mahdiya and three sisters and two priests died.Sister Amalia Andreis was the first to die at the Mahdi’s camp near El Obeid on November 7, 1882.
Comboni Sister Paola Moggi explained to CRN that the Remembrance Day evokes the strong faith of those missionaries who endured a very inhuman treatment but remained faithful to their vocation and to the people of Sudan.
Sr Moggi read the diaries some sisters wrote describing their captivity.
She said although the Mahdiya leaders were very hard with the prisoners, the people were very caring and treated them during the long years of prison.
Sr Moggi said the Day of Remembrance of the group of the Sisters prisoners during the Mahdiya was an opportunity for the Comboni Sisters to go back to their origins and understand better the depth of faith of the pioneers of the congregation.
She added that the Remembrance Day was also a moment to strengthen the sisters’ vision and deepen their vocation and motivations.