Sr. Francine's Final Vows

Join Sr. Francine for her final vows at St. Mary at 9:30 a.m. this Saturday, June 11, 2026
Mass will be led by Bishop John Siemianowski

I am Sr. Francine Indankanxa Mave, the second of five children and the first daughter in my family. I was born on July 6, 1996, in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, into a Christian family that nurtured my faith from an early age. My vocation began mysteriously when I was only four years old. I remember saying that I wanted to be like the nuns, even though I did not yet understand what that desire meant.

I grew up in a part of Congo marked by insecurity and the suffering caused by war. Life was often difficult, yet in the midst of fear and instability, God protected my family and provided for us. It was during those years that I came to know Him as my closest friend and constant companion.

​At the age of nineteen, after a powerful and moving dream, I felt called to take the next step. With the consent and blessing of my parents, I entered a period of discernment that led me to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Visitation of Saint Mary, where I continue to live my vocation with joy.​​

After my first religious profession, I was missioned to study pedagogy and formation for three years. I then served for five years in our mission in Burkina Faso, teaching children and accompanying families. This mission was both beautiful and challenging, as the presence of jihadist violence forced us to live with daily uncertainty.

Yet even there, God’s fidelity sustained us.
Because of the growing needs of our Congregation, I was later sent to Divin College in Iowa, USA, to pursue intercultural studies and Theology. This new mission has allowed me to deepen my understanding of cultures, strengthen my formation, and prepare myself to serve the Church in a broader and more compassionate way.

Through all these experiences- war, mission, study, and community life—I have learned a simple but profound truth that I carry in my heart and wish to share with everyone: The Holy Trinity loves us deeply. We serve God in the Church, trusting that He will never abandon us.

​Sister Francine Mave Lonu