Vatican City: As religious vocations decline in parts of the West, women religious from Africa and other parts of the Global South are increasingly serving the Church in countries that once sent missionaries to their own lands. Among them is Sr. Julie Eyaya, CSF, a member of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Bergamo, who is carrying out her mission through education and daily service in Italy.
Born in Congo, Sr. Julie began her religious journey in 2012 when she left her homeland to respond to her vocation. Her formation began within her own culture before expanding across borders as she embraced missionary life and the demands of serving wherever she was needed.
As a religious sister, she lives according to the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Her missionary work is centred on education, formation and personal accompaniment.
Sr. Julie teaches young children and supports their families through her work in early childhood education. She also serves as a formator for young women discerning religious life within her congregation, helping them reflect on their vocation and make their decisions with greater clarity and courage.
Her experience of both African and European cultures has become part of her service. Through listening, patience and personal presence, she seeks to pass on human and Christian values while remaining faithful to the educational charism of her congregation.
Prayer is also central to her daily life. Personal and community prayer provide the foundation for her work, which combines education, service to children and families, and community responsibilities.
For Sr. Julie, education is not limited to lessons in a classroom. She believes children need love and security, families need support, and young people need guidance based on truth and trust. Her approach seeks to create an environment where people feel welcomed, safe and encouraged.
The results of her work are often seen in small ways. Children can grow in peaceful surroundings, while young people discerning religious life can gain confidence as they consider their future. Sr. Julie describes these experiences as among the greatest joys of her life because they strengthen her sense of vocation and show her how service can quietly bring hope.
Her missionary life has also brought difficulties. Cultural differences, responsibility and daily fatigue have tested her determination. She says these experiences have helped her become more humble, patient and open to others. She also values the support and appreciation she receives from her religious community in Italy.
Sr. Julie sees missionary life as a call to serve with joy, particularly through her work with children. For her, mission is expressed through daily acts of care and service that can help build hope and shape the future.
Her experience reflects a wider movement within the Church, as religious sisters from Africa and other parts of the world cross cultural and linguistic boundaries to serve in places where missionaries once came from. Their presence represents a growing exchange within the universal Church, with the Global South now contributing to the spiritual and pastoral life of communities in parts of the West.