In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a missionary discovers that unity flourishes not despite differences but precisely because of them
Arrival and First Steps
I have had the privilege of living and serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo for more than seven months already. I arrived in Kinshasa on October 16, 2025, with an open heart, ready to embrace a new culture, a new people, and a new mission. Like every missionary journey, my first months were marked by observation, listening, and learning. Rather than immediately engaging in many activities, I spent time understanding the reality around me, adapting to a different way of life, and discerning how God was calling me to serve.
One of my first steps was learning Lingala, the local language widely spoken in Kinshasa, the capital city. Through language, I began to discover not only words and expressions but also the heart of the people and their culture. These initial months taught me that mission begins with presence, listening, and openness.
A New Chapter at Saint Augustine University
A new chapter began in January 2026 when the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) Fathers, especially Fr. Léopold Ditona, SVD (the dean of the Faculty of Theology), invited me to join the theology faculty at the University of Saint Augustine in Kinshasa.
This Catholic university is administered by COSUMA, an organization of religious congregations similar to the UISG in Rome. It brings together religious men and women from numerous congregations, as well as many lay students, creating a vibrant and diverse academic community.
I began teaching Latin, and soon afterward, during the second semester, I was entrusted with additional courses in Greek, the Gospel of John, the Letters of John, and the Book of Revelation. There is also the diocesan seminary at Mayidi, where I give classes on the Old Testament — historical books.
The Classroom as Communion
Teaching has become a central part of my apostolate. Every day I encounter hundreds of young people from different countries, cultures, religious congregations, and personal backgrounds. Their diversity is remarkable, and it is precisely here that I experience in a very concrete way the beauty of our congregational theme: Unity in Diversity.
In the classroom, we gather as people who differ in language, culture, personality, and life experience, yet we are united by a common search for truth, wisdom, and faith. Together we explore theology, Scripture, and Christian values that will shape these young people as future priests, religious sisters and brothers, catechists, pastoral workers, and committed lay leaders. The classroom becomes more than a place of learning; it becomes a place where communion is built.
Biblical Apostolate and Formation
Another important dimension of my mission is the biblical apostolate in collaboration with the SVD Fathers. I participate in the formation of catechists and future leaders of the Small Christian Communities. These communities play a vital role in the life of the Church in Congo. Their leaders receive a two-year formation program in Sacred Scripture and pastoral ministry, preparing them to guide and animate their local communities.
In this program, I teach courses on the New Testament, particularly the Gospel of John, the Johannine Letters, and the Book of Revelation. It is inspiring to accompany men and women eager to deepen their understanding of God’s Word so they can share it with others. Through Scripture, we discover that God’s plan has always been to gather diverse peoples into one family.
In collaboration with the SVD fathers, still in the biblical apostolate ministry, I also prepare biblical commentaries for the missal and calendars.
Spiritual Accompaniment and Retreats
My ministry also includes retreats, recollections, spiritual accompaniment, and formation sessions for young sisters in postulancy and novitiate, as well as for members of various religious congregations and seminarians. These encounters provide opportunities to walk together in faith, to listen to God’s voice, and to support one another in responding generously to our vocations.
Embracing Differences as Gifts
Looking back on these months, I realize that almost every aspect of my mission reflects the reality of unity in diversity. The people I meet are not from my country. They do not belong to my congregation. Most are much younger than I am. They come from different cultural traditions, speak different languages, and often have different perspectives and life experiences. Yet these differences have not become obstacles; rather, they have become gifts.
As a European religious sister working among African seminarians, religious, and lay people, I am constantly reminded that unity does not require uniformity. We do not need to be the same to walk together. True unity grows when we recognize, respect, and value our differences while remaining centered on what unites us: our faith in Christ, our shared human dignity, and our common mission.
Unity Born of Encounter
This unity is not something imposed from outside. It is not the result of forcing people to think alike or act alike. Instead, it emerges naturally through encounter, dialogue, collaboration, friendship, and mutual respect. Day by day, relationships are built and trust grows. People learn from one another, and differences become opportunities for enrichment rather than division.
In many ways, this experience reflects the mystery of the Church itself. The Church is a communion of many peoples, languages, cultures, and vocations, united by the Spirit of God. Here in Congo, I see this reality come alive. In classrooms, formation programs, community gatherings, and moments of prayer, I witness how God brings people together and creates harmony amid diversity.
A Grateful Heart
As I continue my missionary journey, I remain deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate in this beautiful work of God. Through teaching, formation, accompaniment, and simple daily encounters, I am learning that unity in diversity is not merely a theme or an ideal but a lived reality. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit and a sign of God’s Kingdom already present among us.
And so, every day in Congo becomes an invitation to discover anew that although we are many, we are one in Christ—called to journey together, to learn from one another, and to build a community rooted in faith, hope, and love
Sr. Katarina Pavelova, SSpS – Democratic Republic of Congo
