By Sr M. F. Shezhu
A well-known catholic Nun Sr Thecla Masukume died on the 28th of April 2025.
Hundreds of Nuns from different congregations, priests from different dioceses, relatives and friends from all corners of Zimbabwe as well as outside the Country gathered at St Patrick’s Gokomere Mission on Monday 5 May 2025 to pay their final respects to Sister Thecla Masukume who was laid to rest at Gokomere Mission Cemetery.
Burial was led by Bishop Raymond Mupandasekwa as the main celebrant together with Bishop Rudolf Nyandoro of Gweru Diocese.
In his homily, Bishop Mupandasekwa said, ”as religious people, our life is much rooted into the vows that we take (vows of obedience, poverty and chastity.) and we must celebrate the life of those the Lord takes from amongst us. When we look at Sr Thecla one thing is clear, she persevered until the end in her congregation, perseverance helps even us to experience the wounds of everyday battles, the grace of God was with Sr Thecla that’s why she was always ready to go wherever she was sent and serve in different capacities. She had some challenges as she was going along but she sailed through. she was patient because she knew God has not done with her. He added that, we need to pray for the gift of perseverance so that at the end we receive God’s kingdom.
Her legacy will be remembered by her family, the congregation (Holy Cross Sisters) at large, friends and relatives for the hard-working and selfless service she rendered to the church in the Diocese of Masvingo, Harare, and in Pretoria where she served as a nurse and the many lives she touched as a nurse and spiritual leader.
Sr Masukume was very humble and would treat everyone the same. Some parishioners drove all the way from Pretoria community representing some Zimbabweans whom Sr Thecla was working with, they said”, we learnt a lot from Sister Thecla especially punctuality,, she was punctual and had order in whatever she was doing.
Sr Thecla s nephew said “ we have lost a pillar of the family and she had no second thoughts when it comes to family issues , she would unite family, would solve family problems amicably, she was so passionate about family developments, we are proud to have such a devout Aunt (Tete) in our family,” said one of the nephew. He thanked the Bishops, priests nuns and the people who for the support they gave to their sister and for standing with them during difficult times.
May Sr Tecla’s soul rest in peace.
