A terrible car accident happened on the New Year’s Eve, 31st December 2015, between Mukushi and Serenje. On their way from the funeral of their nephew, who himself was hit by a car few days before, Sister Francis Wapakwenda, SCJ., Ls, 78 years old, and a cousin called Abigail died in a car accident. The later, pregnant, died on her way to the hospital. In the same accident, Sister Cecilia Mulenga, aged 43, was critically injured. She was operated on her neck in Lusaka and recovered for this surgery. But other complications occurred while she was treated. She died on Friday afternoon the 19th February 2016 around 17:30 at St. Jean-Paul II Hospital in Lusaka. She has been with ups and downs since the accident largely paralysed from the neck. But she was showing good spirit on Friday morning; “I will be dancing tonight,” she said. Indeed, she is dancing now in heaven.
Sister Cecilia was the Vocation Promoter of the Sacred Heart Sisters. She was the first Zambian to join the Congregation and made part of her formation in the Philippines. She worked on the isle of Cebu for two years.
The Missionaries of Africa invited the Sacred Heart Sisters to come to Zambia in 1956 and remain close to each other ever since. The funerals will take place at Mary Immaculate church in Woodlands, Lusaka, on Tuesday 23rd February at 9:00. The burial will take place in Kasisi, few kilometres from the International Airport of Lusaka.
We pray for them all, their families and the Sacred Heart Sisters. Note that Sister Francis Wapakwenda was the aunt of Sister Cecilia who was present at the farewell party for Father Jean-Pierre Sauge which took place on April 25, 2015.
Francis Kangwa, M.Afr
It is with sadness that I have learn the passing on of our sister Cecilia. Her memories are vivid in my mind I worked with her for promotions, this is quite sad. My brother had told me of that accident as he knew the SCJ sister who died on the spot. May Cecilias’ soul rest in peace. My sympathy to the Sacred Sister. Francis Kangwa, M.Afr
Jean-Pierre Sauge, M.Afr.
I receive with great sadness the news of the death of Sister Cecilia Mulenga of the Sacred Heart Sisters. I had heard of that terrible accident in Mkushi but I did not know that Sr Cecilia was involved. Sister Cecilia was one of the two first Zambians who took their final oath; but of the two only Cecilia was still in the congregation. I can say that I accompanied Sr Mulenga from the time of her postulancy up to her taking the vows (which I witnessed), even until now, I can say, through a friendly relationship. Please convey to those Sisters my sincere sympathy and deepest regrets. On Tuesday I will say Mass for Sr Mulenga in union with all the participants of the funeral celebration. Yes, we keep hope. Fraternally, J.-P. Sauge, M.Afr.
André-Léon Simonart, M.Afr
Here in Tunis we prayed for the repose of the Sisters Francis and Cecilia and for all those mourning their tragic departure. André-Léon Simonart, M.Afr
Roy Jules, M.Afr
Mes plus sincères condoléances à l’occasion du décès de Soeur Francis Wapakwenda et Soeur Cecilia Mulenga .May they rest in peace. Roy Jules, M.Afr
Rebecca Chishimba
Sister Cecilia was such a humble person I have ever known. I thank God for the great gift she had and I truly learnt a lot from her. I feel very sad but I am happy that she is rejoicing with the Lord where we shall all meet and sing. RIP