About Us
Our Origin
The Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel is a diocesan Institute of the Archdiocese of Mbarara in South Western Uganda. We are known as Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Mbarara and our Novitiate house is in Isingiro district.
Our Institute is the offspring of the Canadian Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel. It was founded in Chicoutimi, Canada on November, 4th 1894, by Bishop Michael Labrecque together with Mademoiselle Francoise Simard (1851 – 1937). Mother Boniconsilii became the first Superior General of the Institute.
Our Birth
In 1937, four Canadian Sisters arrived in Uganda. They accepted the first Ugandan girls to live among them in the same year. These girls were received into the Novitiate on February 2, 1943, and made their first vows in 1945. The offspring of the Canadian Institute in Uganda was erected as an independent diocesan Congregation on September, 26, 1957. It is now officially known as the “Institute of the Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel – Mbarara
Founder's Legacy
Briefly, Francoise Simard (Mother Marie du Bon- Conseil), our Foundress lived 43 years of religious life. She was a woman possessed by God. She knew that God was her Lord and Master, She remained open to His promptings and accepted her condition as that of a “mere instrument” in the building up of God’s kingdom on earth. Mother Marie du Bon-Conseil (1851 – 1937) pronounced her “FIAT” (Total Yes) in the Words “GOD IS THE MASTER”.
“No one should be lost! The immediate vision was for the poor to get opportunities of being formed into good Christians and be educated into reliable citizens. But the remote goal was that no one should be lost Jn. 17:12 and this is why in their statements our Founders say, “I shall gladly spend and be spent for the salvation of souls” – Bishop Labrecque. Mother Bon-Conseil also at the close of her life when her energies and strength were already spent for the MASTER, she pronounced her ‘NUNC DIMMITIS’ ‘All for the most Sacred Heart of Jesus and for the salvation of souls’
Founders
BISHOP THOMAS MICHAEL LABRECQUE
Justice for the Poor The interior attitude of Justice or fairness is mercy and compassion as we consider the poor of society with deep piety that all people are God’s people and we are a family that shares one Father and hence, we are like siblings expected to love one another and be inclusive despite the diversity and differences. We are therefore called to identify with the poor in our communities and elsewhere by being sensitive to their needs. It takes charity, respect and simplicity to always be aware of the poor in all situations. (Bishop Michael Thomas Labrecque)
MARIE DU BON CONSEIL SIMARD
Obedience Prayer and discernment teach us to obey the voice of God in His Word, in my inner core, in the superiors, the Magisterium and every creature. We have to train ourselves for interiority because transformation takes place from within. It is therefore important to get accustomed to personal prayer and reflection and grow in continuous awareness and listening. It is faith and love of God that leads an individual to obey; this faith assists me to say YES; a YES that has to be repeated, renewed and deepened throughout life. I choose to do what God asks of me because I know He loves me and cannot mean bad for me; Father-daughter relationship; therefore, I humbly listen and patiently wait on His instructions. (Mother Marie Du Bon Conseil)
MAMA BRUNO
Generous Service Once there is an assignment of some kind from the Superiors or community, the sisters are expected to be available and exert deep commitment. We are called to have zeal for the Mission, love the vineyard and tend it with care, sacrifice and persevere on the path of mission. To this end, there is a call for generous service which is manifested in selflessness and hard work. This charism teaches us to train ourselves to work together as a team, to grow in humility that we need each other, in charity that understands and appreciates each contribution and to constantly beat the feeling of controlling others but rather be gentle with them. (Mama Bruno)
Superiors General
1939-1957: The Institute was led by the Canadian Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Chicoutimi
Below are the themes each leader perceived from the mandate given by the General Chapter of the time and also what they felt God was calling for at that particular time. These were the efforts through the years that in some way have sustained the Institute through various approaches.
The following Superiors came in after canonical erection which occurred on September 26th, 1957:
Mama Bruno
Mama Bruno 1957-1964: Faith and religious values, education, self-reliance and fostering missionary spirit.
Mama Anna
Mother Anna 1964-1969: In a great transition stressing the call of daily conversion and perseverance on the path of religious life in faithfulness.
Mama Flora
Mother Flora Batabaire and Fr. Kamugyene Bartholomew: 1970 -1972: To uphold the Institute, see it through the crisis and ensure its continuity.
Mama Cecelia
Mother Cecilia A. Nibyobyonka 1972-1982: Unity and spiritual depth based on the discovery of who Jesus is as Christ and the discovery of true self for a genuine response to religious call.
Mama Leonidas
Mother Leonidas Tirikwendera 1982-1994: Coping with consequences of war through faith and self-reliance to restore what was lost.
Mama Rosalia
Mother Rosalia Mwitanirwa 1994-2005: “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” Jn. 10:10; to have an integrated life through formation and self-reliance, establish schools and homes of prayer and rest.
Mama Romina
Mother Romina Boniconsilii Nyemera 2005-2011: Rooted in Jesus Christ-the Servant-King, united by identity, development of resources/saving and universal apostolic outlook. “That they may be one” Jn. 17:21
Mama Jacinta
Mother Jacinta Tuhairwe 2011-2017: Towards a self-sustaining Institute through a lived heritage and stewardship.
Mama Romina
Mother Romina Boniconsilii Nyemera 2017-2023 To renew our identity by returning to the roots “Charisms”, revisit the formation program and the vow of Poverty for better service delivery.
Mama Grace
Mother Grace Ludivina Kyomugisha 2023 - 2029: Growing together in communion by deepening our Charisms and Mission rooted in Jesus Christ.
The Basic or particular Spirituality of the Institute
The Spirit of an Institute is what gives energy to the members to live the Gospel in a particular way. This is reflected in their way of thinking, feeling, living and acting, as members of the Institute. Spirituality is the style in which the individual lives her life in response to God, in interaction with people and also before the challenges of everyday life in a given historical and cultural environment. It is the person’s expression of religion in the concrete circumstances of that person’s life. (Const.pg.26) Founders mark out ways in which their followers would relate to God and to each other. “Spirituality is an authentic and particular way of experiencing communion with God and others which consecrated persons willingly, intentionally and progressively undertake through exercises proper to their Institutes”, (Charismatic Formation pg. 79).
Spirituality connects members to the roots for the internalization and integration of charisms in life. Besides, authentic spirituality is the ability to live in harmony with God and neighbour. Members of Institutes strive to fulfil the spiritual aspirations of the Founders, following their path and are called to live lives that give witness to God’s love in service as followers of Jesus Christ. For spirituality to grow, members have to be in constant quest for God who is revealed in Jesus Christ and experienced through the gift of the Holy Spirit within the life of the Church. This will lead to progress, self-integration and self-transcendence. “The Spiritual life must have the first place in the programme of the family of consecrated life, apostolic fruitfulness, generosity in love of the poor and the ability to attract vocations depends on this priority and its growth in personal and communal commitment.” (VC, no. 93)
“The “Marian spirituality” is a spiritual heritage based on Mary’s “FIAT” (Lk. 1: 38) and whose origin is God Himself who chose Mary and endowed her with virtue after Mary’s “Total Yes” to Him” Const. Pg. 21. The “Seat of Wisdom” is Mary who shares wisdom with Jesus. Wisdom begins when we sincerely want to learn and when we prefer to make God the centre of our lives by accepting His Lordship (Wis. 7:13-14). Mary ponders everything in her heart Lk.2:51 and she counsels people. “Do whatever He tells you” Jn. 2:5
Spirituality & Devotions
As an Institute we follow or rather live the Ignatian spirituality. To keep on this path, we need to have an experience of the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, which will definitely not only anchor us on the life of Jesus Christ but also give us an experience of Him.
Rituals & traditions
We have got many sayings from our different leaders and patrons and we shall always cherish them.
They include among others; Mother Foundress, Mama Bruno, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis of Sales, St. Augustine of Hippo etc.
Councillors of the Institute
The Institute has had a history of loyal hardworking counselors that dedicated their lives to serve and provide guidance. The following is a photo gallery of Councilors of the Institute since 1957 – 2020
Sayings
We have got many sayings from our different leaders and patrons and we shall always cherish them.
They include among others; Mother Foundress, Mama Bruno, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis of Sales, St. Augustine of Hippo etc.