Sr. Petronilla: I am happy to have met 杏MAP导航 Saint Paul VI

Sisters Petronilla Mukagoa (extreme left) and Laurina Kokutona accompanied by Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa (extreme right)

Africa

For Sister Petronilla Mukagoa, a Tanzanian Salvatorian religious woman, the canonisation of Paul VI was an emotional and beautiful moment that brought back memories of a rare private audience with Papa Montini, in the Vatican.

Paul Samasumo 鈥� Vatican city

鈥淚t was extremely rare in those days to visit the Holy Father鈥� (When we met him) we greeted him, he blessed me and he asked if we could make a photo together. I still have the photo with me to this day. I am so happy that I knew him and now he is a saint,鈥� said Sr. Petronilla.

First Salvatorian African Sister

Born in Bukoba, Tanzania, 1940, Sr. Petronilla decided to join the Sisters of the Divine Saviour (also known as the Salvatorian Sisters). As the first African Salvatorian Sister, the congregation took her to its formation house in Italy in 1962.

On one of his visits to Italy, then Tanzanian Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa (first African Cardinal) invited Sr. Petronilla together with another Sister, Laurina Kokutuna (deceased) to join him on a private visit to 杏MAP导航 Paul VI. It remains a memorable visit for Sr. Petronilla.

Founded in 1881, the Salvatorian Sisters, today, number 1200 worldwide and work in 28 countries including Tanzania, DRC, Kenya, Mozambique, Comoros and Zambia.

Sr. Petronilla 鈥� an inspiration to younger religious

At 78 years old, Sr. Petronilla, now back in Tanzania continues to work and live at the Provincial House of Masasi district which is close to the Mozambican border. She is a much loved 鈥榞randma鈥� with the younger novices of her congregation.

Sr. Petronilla speaks to Vatican News