This dynamism of her mission to the dispossessed is the impulse that moves the heart of a Franciscan Hospitaller toward good.  “Where there is good to be done, let it be done!” is the main motto of her charism, a driving force of inspiration for the founders of this congregation: Father Raimundo dos Anjos Beirão and Sister Maria Clara of the Child Jesus, beatified in 2011 by Cardinal Angelo Amato, representing Pope Benedict XVI.

With a broad smile illuminating her gray habit, the Guinean nun shared her testimony after completing her training in the “Master’s Degree in Vocational Discernment and Spiritual Accompaniment” over the past three summers in Spain.

Always live on “mission”

Missionary work is possible anywhere when one lives in service to those most in need.  Serving with humility is a way of loving, leading, and empowering others, as Jesus did. This is the meaning of apostolic action, which has moved her heart since she was 16.

With 12 years of missionary work in Angola, Africa, Sezinanda Luisa relives her vocation every day. Now in the Azores archipelago, Portugal, where she completed her novitiate, she carries out her work on Terceira Island, assisting more than 80 children, ages 9 to 12, in catechism classes. She guides the youngest children, ages 4 to 5, in their awakening to the faith by developing themes of Christian initiation.

Serving in the smallest tasks as a Franciscan Hospitaller is a constant source of human and spiritual growth, and a source of meaning for her life. After 27 years of religious profession, the missionary remembers her “yes” when she confesses the meaning of living life with hope in eternity and keeping alive the spirit of the Beatitudes.

Serve in “hospitality”

Living your vocation with a sense of mission, joy, and dedication enriches every day this precious gift you received from God, “religious life.” Serving by keeping alive the flame of hospitality expressed in constant service becomes an opportunity to love and bear witness to faith in God.

The important thing is to be where God calls. Because, when you live with your heart open to the Gospel, the mission has no boundaries. You can always do good, especially for those most in need (of spiritual or physical goods), as the Good Samaritan did.

Serving others with joy, simplicity, fraternal presence, empathetic listening, and dedication is her main motivation. Through spiritual guidance, formation, pastoral work, and concrete acts of solidarity,  “I want to be a channel of God’s tenderness and mercy in people’s lives. “

Constant path of training

Sister Sezinanda decided to live by bearing witness to what makes her happy: “to be Jesus’s, and to follow him in joy and in the hour of the cross” “I feel I can be a sign of God’s love and an instrument to help others discover and deepen their faith and their calling.”

Hospitality, which translates into welcoming one’s brothers and sisters, in an outgoing Church, is the charism that follows her mission. The Franciscan Hospitaller hopes to continue growing in fidelity to her vocation, experiencing prayer in fraternity with her sisters in the community.

Her main interest is to accompany others, further developing her skills of listening, empathy, and dedication. Upon completing her training in Spain, the missionary hopes to continue her education in emotional self-awareness, inner freedom, and faith, to enhance her mission.