By Sr. Josephine Nafula MMS, Unit Uganda/ Malawi Coordinator
The Society of Catholic Medical Missionaries, also known as Medical Mission Sisters, are happy to share with you the joy of celebrating 100 years since the foundation of the Society. The Society was founded on the 30th of September 1925 and on 30th September 2025, it will be 100 years.
The Medical Mission Sisters in Uganda will officially celebrate the Centenary on 13th September, 2025 in Adjumani, Indriani Parish on MMS Rehabilitation Centre Grounds. The celebration will be graced by the presence of Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Arua, as the main celebrant. You are all warmly invited to this celebration.
The story of one hundred years ago began with a young Austrian woman, named Anna Dengel who heard that there was urgent need for women doctors to serve in North India. Thousands of women and children were dying there because their Muslim customs did not allow them to be seen by a male doctor. Anna remembered;
“I was fire and flame! This was the answer to my subconscious desire and aspirations, to be a missionary with a definite goal in view, filling an unfilled need that only women could fill”
And Anna’s journey began, through a medical school and years of very intense medical work in India. In 1925, after much prayer and discernment, she founded the Society of Catholic Medical Missionaries (Medical Mission Sisters).
It was clear to Anna Dengel when she founded our Society in 1925 that the Catholic Church needed to evolve to have a greater impact in meeting the needs of the most vulnerable and, as our Society has grown, so too have we evolved even though the Charism remains, “Being a healing Presence of Christ in a wounded world”.
The Medical Mission sisters are serving in 17 countries and currently, their international headquarters are based in Acton London, UK, and that is where the Society Leadership Team which comprises of members from different countries reside.
The Medical Mission Sisters in Uganda
On the invitation by Bishop Vincent McCauley (Congregation of the Holy Cross), Bishop of Fort Portal Diocese at the time, 9 American MMS arrived on the Eve of Uganda’s Independence October 9, 1962. Virika Hospital, Fort Portal, became the first mission of Medical Mission Sisters in Uganda where they also started a Nursing School.
Presently, the sisters serve in the dioceses of Arua (Adjumani), Kampala (Bukoto), Kabale (Rubanda) and Tororo (Angorom) in the following priority areas for mission; Eco-spirituality and advocacy against exploitation of planet Earth, Mega-Migration, Health care/ promotion, escalating violence, Exploitation and injustice against women and children, Needs of children and youth, responding to Mission in accordance to the needs/ signs of the times.
Friends of Medical Mission Sisters
To mark the Centenary, MMS in Uganda have started a group of ‘Friends of Medical Mission Sisters in Uganda’. Medical Mission sisters work in partnership with others. The friends of MMS are close partners who share in our Spirituality, Mission and different activities.
We are grateful for this long period of ‘life and mission’ of our sisters, Associates, benefactors and friends in many places across the world who journey with us in solidarity with the people in need. We know that we are connected to you in very different ways.
Beyond the Centenary Celebration
Beyond the 100 years celebration, we envision sustainable initiatives that will continue the MMS mission for future generations. To achieve this, we invite all MMS friends, partners and well-wishers to be part of this journey.
You can get involved by;
✅ Joining a Regional Team of friends of Medical Mission Sisters (North, South, East, West) and contribute your skills
✅ Support our fundraising efforts to establish lasting impact projects
✅ Participate in the planning and celebration of this historic milestone
✅ Share ideas on how we can build a sustainable future for MMS Uganda
Contact +256 744 177533 or Email us at jnafula@medicalmissionsisters.org
May the charism of promoting healing and wholeness across the Earth continue to keep the fire burning for the vision that “Another world is possible.” Looking forward to hearing from you or seeing you during the Jubilee Celebration. I extend my heartfelt and best wishes together with warm greetings from the members of the Unit Leadership and the entire family of Medical Mission Sisters.
