Sr Gebaynesh Gebre. Comboni Missionary Sister. From Mandura (Ethiopia)
With a vision shaped by international exposure and a deep desire to pray in the local language while serving the community, Emahoy Haregeweine believed her vocation extended beyond her personal religious life.
She was determined to create a convent that not only embraced local traditions but also answered the call to serve the poor and the needy, making her a trailblazer in Ethiopian Catholic history.
With the bold declaration, “I want to be an Ethiopian Catholic nun,” Emahoy Haregeweine became a trailblazer in Ethiopia, founding the Holy Trinity Benedictine Convent, the first local convent within the Ethiopian Catholic Church.
The members of the convent are given the title “Emahoy,” an Amharic word meaning “My Mother.” This title reflects the belief that all women are mothers—some become biological mothers, while others, like religious sisters, dedicate their lives to becoming spiritual mothers to all.
From liturgical inspiration to monastic leadership
Emahoy was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and attended the Lycée Gebremariam French School, where she was introduced to a variety of cultures and languages. At 16, after attending her first Holy Mass at Saint Francis Parish with a Catholic friend, she was profoundly moved by the liturgy, igniting a strong desire to deepen her relationship with Christ.
Despite coming from an Orthodox background, she felt a deep pull toward Catholicism, began attending Mass regularly, and set her sights on becoming a religious sister. Her commitment to her calling was further solidified when she encountered an image of Saint Francis, which strengthened her faith.
A long road in search of identity
With the guidance of prayer and spiritual mentorship, Emahoy Haregeweine overcame various challenges and eventually joined the Little Sisters of Jesus, an order founded by St. Charles de Foucauld. She pursued her religious formation in several countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, France, and Italy, all while tirelessly seeking answers to her spiritual questions.
In 2007, during a seminar on Ethiopian monastic traditions, Emahoy Haregeweine felt she had found the answers she had been searching for. This pivotal moment marked the start of her mission to create a Catholic convent that would embody Ethiopia’s distinct spiritual and cultural identity.
A dream come true
In 2018, Emahoy realized her long-awaited dream by founding Ethiopia’s first Catholic convent, the Holy Trinity Benedictine Convent.
While staying in France with support from the Benedictine community, she used her free time to raise funds by selling handmade crafts, which allowed her to purchase a small house in Addis Ababa. Later, with further assistance from the French Benedictines, she acquired land in Holeta, about 40 km from the capital.
With the blessing and approval of Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel, Archbishop of Addis Ababa and President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Ethiopia, she was granted permission to establish the convent.
Clothed in her new monastic habit and offering prayers in the local language, she feels that she has finally discovered the answers to the gaps in her religious journey.