Called Again, Guided by Faith, Strengthened; Sr. Grace Aciro, Superior General Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu (LSMIG)

By Sr. Immaculate Tusingwire, MMS

The Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu (LSMIG), a congregation founded in 1936 to serve the Church and society through education, health care, and pastoral ministry, recently re-elected Sr. Grace Aciro as their Superior General. Sr. Grace has already served six years. Her re-election is both a sign of trust in her leadership and a call to continue guiding the congregation in its mission of compassion and service. In this conversation, she reflects on her journey, the challenges and achievements of her first term, and her vision for the future of the congregation in the service of God and humanity.

Congratulations dear, Sr.Grace. We prayed for and we will continue to accompany you with our prayers. How do you feel about being entrusted once again with the responsibility of Superior General?

I feel the weight of the cross, having carried it for six years and knowing what it entails. It is not an easy task—it is both a great challenge and a profound call to deeper responsibility and service. I have embraced it in humility and obedience, trusting that the Lord who has called me will also sustain me.

This re-election must mean a lot to you; What does it mean to you personally and spiritually?

Personally, I see it as a sign that the sisters have faith and trust in my leadership, and desire that I continue to guide them. Spiritually, it is a reminder that true leadership must be God-centered. For me, this re-election is an invitation to carry my cross and follow Christ more closely. The Lord is teaching me humility, deepening my faith, and showing me that it is ultimately He who leads—not I.

Looking back at your first term, what have been the major achievements or milestones for the congregation?

By God’s grace, together with the team, we were able to accomplish many of the mandates given to us by the previous Chapter. Among these are:

• Publishing key documents, including the Charism Book, the Formation Syllabus, guidelines for vocation animation, the Strategic Plan, and Policy Guidelines.
• Celebrating six first vows professions, with 66 sisters professing.
• Reopening three previously closed communities and establishing three new ones.
• Setting up the Formation Desk and Counselling Desk.
• Training four Formators and ten sisters in Spiritual Accompaniment.
• Conducting capacity-building for 105 sisters.
• Lobbying successfully for a tractor to support our farms and acquiring 51 acres of land.

We thank God for all the achievements. What challenges did you experience and the lessons learnt in the past 6 years that you feel will be helpful to you moving forward

Yes, indeed. A life without challenges is a life without growth. Among the challenges we faced were: the death and departure of members, sudden termination of some sisters from external service, limited financial resources, acts of disobedience, weak prayer life among some sisters, and unauthorized projects started without leadership approval.

We addressed these challenges through various means: producing policy guidelines, signing formal contracts, offering counselling and workshops, and organizing spiritual renewal exercises. What initially appeared as difficulties became opportunities for growth and renewal.

Many young sisters left the Congregation after completing their studies. Moving forward, we recognize the importance of ensuring that sisters are first well-rooted in religious life before being sent for further studies.

All sisters employed should be with a formal contract. This safeguard provides clarity and accountability. At the same time, we have learned that focusing our energies on our own projects is more sustainable than relying heavily on external engagements.

To ensure proper oversight and accountability, all projects should be monitored by the Institute’s Development Office rather than by the Councilor in charge of projects. This structure has already proven to be more effective.

A new term is like beginning anew and at the same time a continuation. What priorities will guide your new term as the Superior General?

The mandates of the 10th General Chapter will guide us in the next six years. These focus on:

• Safeguarding and deepening our Spiritual Patrimony.
• Formation, both initial and ongoing.
• Strengthening consecrated life, particularly through the evangelical counsels and community living.
• Good governance and stewardship of resources—human, financial, and material.

What role do the Little sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu play in the wider Church in Uganda and beyond in response to the current realities of poverty, conflict and other challenges faced especially by the young?

Our role is to contribute to the life of the Church through pastoral ministry, particularly in accompanying young people and families with spiritual guidance, counselling, and support. We are also committed to promoting holistic well-being by addressing physical and mental health through educational initiatives such as health screenings and awareness programs.

We support young people with vocational and entrepreneurial skills so that they become job creators rather than job seekers. This helps address unemployment and poverty in practical ways. In Northern Uganda, where decades of conflict left deep scars, we continue to foster inter-religious dialogue, promote tolerance, and engage the youth in non-violent conflict resolution. Our mission is to transform pain into peace and despair into hope.

In the next six year’s journey with your sisters, what are some of the ways you’d like to encourage them to find joy and strength in their vocation?

I believe the best way is to lead by example—showing that I truly love and enjoy my own vocation. I will accompany my sisters with empathy, care, and encouragement, support them in both moments of joy and of trial, and foster a strong sense of belonging to the LSMIG family. Mentorship and inspiration are key to helping them embrace their calling with renewed joy and commitment.

That is indeed beautiful. To the ones reading this especially leaders, what values and qualities do you recommend which you find most important in religious leadership today?

Religious leadership today must be rooted in prayer and faith in God. Beyond that, qualities such as integrity, humility, compassion, courage, wisdom, emotional intelligence, and clear communication are essential. It is not easy to embody all of them fully, but they are the compass that guides true and authentic leadership.

What message would you like to give to the younger sisters and those aspiring to join the congregation?

My message is one of hope. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, I want to assure them that religious life is a special vocation, a gift from God. Discernment takes time and patience—God guides each step of the journey. I encourage them to seek guidance from experienced sisters, share their struggles with trusted mentors, and not carry burdens alone. Openness to being mentored is vital for growth and perseverance.

As we come to the close, kindly share your hopes for the future of the congregation in the next six years?

The future is bright. We hope to grow in numbers, strengthen our identity, and eventually attain Pontifical status. We plan to open more communities both within Uganda and internationally. We also look forward to improving the living conditions of our sisters by completing the major residence project and the new gate construction. Most importantly, the review of our Constitution will be finalized, ensuring our Institute is firmly rooted for the future.

The role of leadership needs a lot of support, how can the wider Church, partners, and lay collaborators support your leadership and mission?

Partnership and collaboration are key. The wider Church, our partners, and lay collaborators can support us by promoting our mission and vision, engaging in community initiatives, and advocating for the values we stand for. Sharing resources, building networks, and walking with us in solidarity will enable us to achieve our common goals in service of God’s people.