Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta

Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta (29 December 1939 – 1 December 1964) was a Congolese Blessed and member of the Sisters of the Holy Family, known for her martyrdom during the Simba rebellion in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Born in Wamba, she entered religious life against her mother’s wishes, dedicating herself to teaching and serving her community as a cook and sacristan in the Parish of Bafwabaka. Her steadfast faith and commitment to chastity led to her death at the hands of rebels in Isiro, where she forgave her killer, Colonel Pierre Olombe, echoing Christ’s words: “I forgive you, for you know not what you are doing.” Her martyrdom has made her a symbol of courage and forgiveness in the Catholic Rite.

Anuarite’s beatification by Pope John Paul II on 15 August 1985 in Kinshasa marked her as the first Bantu woman elevated to the altars, celebrated by the Diocese of Isiro-Niangara and Diocese of Wamba. Her life and sacrifice continue to inspire devotion, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where her relics are venerated at the Isiro Cathedral. The Catholic Church commemorates her feast day on December 01, honoring her as a martyr who chose death over compromising her vows. Her story resonates as a testament to faith under persecution, with her parents and even her repentant killer present at her beatification, highlighting the power of reconciliation.

Stored in Cargo: Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta

Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta
Feast Day	December 01
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Martyrs, Victims of Violence, Congolese Women
Birthplace	Wamba, Haut-Uélé, Democratic Republic of Congo
Death Place	Isiro, Haut-Uélé, Democratic Republic of Congo
Cause of Death	Martyrdom
Primary Shrine	Isiro Cathedral, Isiro, Democratic Republic of Congo

Biography

Birth

Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta was born on 29 December 1939 in Wamba, a town in the Haut-Uélé province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, then under Belgian colonial rule. She was the fourth of six daughters born to Amisi Batsuru Batobobo, a former soldier, and Isude Julienne, members of the Wabudu tribe. Her birth name, Nengapeta, meaning “riches deceive,” reflected her cultural roots, while her sister’s name, Anuarite (“one who laughs at war”), was mistakenly assigned to her during school registration, a clerical error that shaped her identity. Her family initially adhered to animist traditions, but in 1945, Anuarite and her mother were baptized into the Catholic Church, receiving the name Alphonsine.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)[](https://dacb.org/stories/democratic-republic-of-congo/anuarite-mc/)

The family faced hardship when Anuarite’s father divorced her mother to seek a male heir, leaving Isude to raise their daughters alone. They found refuge at the Jamaa Takatifu mission, operated by the Sisters of the Holy Family, which provided work and shelter. This early exposure to the Catholic Rite profoundly influenced Anuarite, fostering her spiritual growth and desire to serve God. Her baptism, possibly repeated due to a lost certificate, marked the beginning of her deep commitment to faith, setting the stage for her later vocation.[](https://dacb.org/stories/democratic-republic-of-congo/anuarite-mc/)[](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)

Early Life

Anuarite’s childhood in Wamba was shaped by her family’s struggles and her growing faith. Raised in a region where missionary activity was strong, she attended a school run by Belgian religious sisters, where her name was recorded as Alphonsine Anuarite due to a misunderstanding during registration. She was a sensitive and compassionate child, refusing to eat meat after witnessing a goat’s slaughter, equating its blood to her own. Her admiration for the nuns, particularly Sister Ndakala Marie-Anne, her third-year teacher, inspired her aspiration to become a nun. She was known for helping her grandmother with chores and encouraging her peers to consider religious life.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)[](https://dacb.org/stories/democratic-republic-of-congo/anuarite-mc/)

Despite her mother’s initial opposition, Anuarite’s determination to pursue a religious vocation grew. Her father’s abandonment and her mother’s reliance on the mission for support exposed her to the Catholic community’s resilience and charity. These experiences instilled in her a sense of service and devotion, which she carried into her adolescence. Her early life, marked by both personal challenges and spiritual awakening, laid the foundation for her later commitment to the Sisters of the Holy Family.[](https://dacb.org/stories/democratic-republic-of-congo/anuarite-mc/)[](https://www.moderndaysaint.com/saints/marie-clementine-anuarite-nengapeta)

Occupation

Anuarite’s professional life within the Sisters of the Holy Family was multifaceted, reflecting her dedication to service. After entering the convent in 1959 and taking the name Marie-Clémentine, she served as a cook and sacristan at the Bafwabaka mission in Haut-Uélé, Democratic Republic of Congo. Her roles involved practical tasks like preparing meals and maintaining the Parish’s liturgical spaces, which she performed with humility and care. By 1961, she earned a teaching certificate and began working as a teacher, combining this with overseeing children at the mission, demonstrating her commitment to education and pastoral care.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)[](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)

Her work was not without challenges; she was known to firmly correct those who shirked duties, reflecting her strong sense of responsibility. On one occasion, she confronted a man making inappropriate advances toward a fellow nun, showing her protective nature and commitment to her vows. These roles, though humble, were integral to the mission’s operations and allowed Anuarite to live out her faith through service, earning her respect within her community and the Diocese of Wamba.[](https://dacb.org/stories/democratic-republic-of-congo/anuarite-mc/)[](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)

Vocation

Anuarite’s call to religious life emerged early, inspired by the Sisters of the Holy Family at the Jamaa Takatifu mission. Despite her mother’s opposition, who hoped Anuarite would provide financial support, she secretly joined a group of postulants traveling to the convent in 1959, boarding a truck without informing her family. Her mother, after a week of searching, learned of her decision from a village child and reluctantly accepted it. On 5 August 1959, Anuarite professed her vows, taking the name Marie-Clémentine, a significant step in her commitment to the Catholic Rite. Her parents, present at the ceremony, gifted two goats to the sisters, signaling their eventual support.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)[](https://dacb.org/stories/democratic-republic-of-congo/anuarite-mc/)

Her life in the convent was marked by devotion to her vows, particularly chastity, and a desire to serve others. Anuarite’s admiration for Sister Ndakala Marie-Anne and her experiences at the mission fueled her spiritual journey. She embraced the Religious order’s mission to educate and support the local community, balancing her teaching duties with acts of charity. Her resolve to remain faithful to her vows would later define her martyrdom, as she faced persecution with unwavering conviction.[](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)[](https://www.moderndaysaint.com/saints/marie-clementine-anuarite-nengapeta)

Death

Anuarite met her end through martyrdom on 1 December 1964 in Isiro, Democratic Republic of Congo, during the Simba rebellion. On 29 November 1964, Simba rebels, opposing Western influence and suspecting religious figures of collaboration, stormed the Bafwabaka mission, kidnapping 46 sisters, including Anuarite. Taken to Colonel Yuma Déo’s compound in Isiro, she faced pressure from Colonel Ngalo, who demanded she become his wife. Anuarite’s refusal, rooted in her vow of chastity, enraged Ngalo, who ordered Colonel Pierre Olombe to oversee her. Olombe, after attempting to assault her and another nun, Sister Bokuma, beat Anuarite, breaking her arm, and ordered rebels to stab her. As she lay dying, shot in the chest, she uttered, “I forgive you, for you know not what you are doing,” echoing Christ’s words.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)[](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)

Her body was initially buried in a common grave but was exhumed eight months later for reburial. In December 1978, her remains were transferred to Isiro Cathedral, where an image of the Virgin Mary was found in her hand, symbolizing her devotion. Anuarite’s martyrdom, marked by her forgiveness and fidelity, resonated deeply, making her a model of courage for the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Isiro-Niangara.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)[](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)

Significant events

• Entered the Sisters of the Holy Family in 1959, professing vows as Sister Marie-Clémentine on 5 August.
• Earned a teaching certificate in 1961, serving as a teacher and overseer at the Bafwabaka mission.
• Martyred on 1 December 1964 during the Simba rebellion, forgiving her killer, Colonel Pierre Olombe.
• Beatified by Pope John Paul II on 15 August 1985 in Kinshasa, becoming the first Bantu woman elevated to the altars.
• Relics transferred to Isiro Cathedral in December 1978, where they became a focal point for pilgrimage.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Wamba, Haut-Uélé, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Death location: Isiro, Haut-Uélé, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Notable location: Mission of the Sisters of the Holy Family (Bafwabaka, Haut-Uélé, Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Notable location: ()
• Notable location: ()
• Notable location: ()
• Notable location: ()

Parishes

No parishes are explicitly named after Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta in available records, though her veneration is prominent in the Diocese of Isiro-Niangara and Diocese of Wamba.

Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta as a Servant of God began on 14 April 1977, with the initial investigation conducted in the Diocese of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo. The cause was initiated at the request of Bishop Uma Arakayo, with Father F. Rosario Esposito appointed as the postulator. Tribunals in Kisangani, Malignes-Bruxelles, and Kinshasa reviewed her life, virtues, and writings, marking the formal start of her path to sainthood.[](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)

Venerable

Declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II on 12 February 1982, following the Congregation for the Causes of Saints’ affirmation of her life of heroic virtue. This recognition was based on her steadfast faith, service, and martyrdom, with no miracle required at this stage.[](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)

Beatification

Beatified on 15 August 1985 by Pope John Paul II in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, after the confirmation of a miracle involving the healing of a child with a severe illness in 1982, attributed to Anuarite’s intercession. Her martyrdom, marked by her refusal to compromise her vows and her forgiveness of her killer, allowed her beatification without the typical requirement of a miracle, though the healing was later authenticated. The ceremony, attended by 60,000 people, including her parents and reportedly her repentant killer, was a significant moment for the Catholic Church in Congo.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)[](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/africa/news/2018-12/blessed-anuarite-is-also-a-model-for-all-young-people.html)[](https://mission.spaziospadoni.org/blessed-anuarite-nengapeta-60-years-after-her-martyrdom/)

Canonization

Anuarite has not been canonized, and no second miracle has been officially verified to advance her cause to sainthood. Her beatification remains the current stage of her recognition, with ongoing devotion in the Democratic Republic of Congo and efforts to build a national shrine in Isiro.[](https://mission.spaziospadoni.org/blessed-anuarite-nengapeta-60-years-after-her-martyrdom/)

Miracles

Miracle for Beatification

The miracle for Anuarite’s beatification involved the healing of a child with a severe illness in 1982, attributed to her intercession. While specific details of the child’s condition and the circumstances of the healing are not fully documented in available sources, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints verified the event as miraculous, fulfilling the requirements for beatification. This miracle, combined with her martyrdom, solidified her status as a Blessed in the Catholic Church. The investigation into the miracle was rigorous, involving medical and theological scrutiny to ensure its authenticity, a standard process for beatification.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)[](https://mission.spaziospadoni.org/blessed-anuarite-nengapeta-60-years-after-her-martyrdom/)

Anuarite’s martyrdom itself was a significant factor, as martyrs may be beatified without a miracle in some cases. However, the documented healing provided additional evidence of her intercessory power, strengthening her cause. The miracle’s recognition in 1982 by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints underscored her growing veneration, particularly in the Diocese of Isiro-Niangara, where her legacy as a martyr and intercessor continues to inspire.[](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)

Miracle for Canonization

No second miracle has been authenticated for Anuarite’s canonization, which is required for her to be declared a Saint. The process remains open, with ongoing devotion and prayers for her intercession in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Efforts to promote her cause, including the 2024 jubilee year declared by the Congolese bishops, aim to foster popular devotion and potentially identify further miracles.[](https://mission.spaziospadoni.org/blessed-anuarite-nengapeta-60-years-after-her-martyrdom/)

Other Notable Miracles

• No additional miracles have been officially authenticated or widely documented for Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta.

Patronage

Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta is the patron saint of martyrs, victims of violence, and Congolese women, reflecting her martyrdom and courage in the face of persecution.[](https://www.moderndaysaint.com/saints/marie-clementine-anuarite-nengapeta)

Feast Day

Her feast day is celebrated on December 01, commemorating her martyrdom in 1964.[](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q466996)[](https://mission.spaziospadoni.org/blessed-anuarite-nengapeta-60-years-after-her-martyrdom/)

Veneration

Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta is venerated through prayers, novenas, and pilgrimages to her shrine at the Isiro Cathedral, where her relics are kept. The relics, including an image of the Virgin Mary found in her hand upon exhumation in 1978, are a focal point for devotees. She has been depicted in religious art, often shown in a nun’s habit with a palm branch, symbolizing martyrdom, or holding an image of the Virgin Mary. Her story has inspired books and local media in the Democratic Republic of Congo, emphasizing her forgiveness and faith. The 2024 jubilee year, declared by the Congolese bishops, included a national pilgrimage to Isiro, highlighting her enduring influence on Congolese Catholic culture.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Cl%25C3%25A9mentine_Anuarite_Nengapeta)[](https://mission.spaziospadoni.org/blessed-anuarite-nengapeta-60-years-after-her-martyrdom/)

Books

Written about the Saint

• Anuarite: Vierge et Martyre Zaïroise by F. Rosario Esposito
• The Spiritual Journey of Anuarite by Otene Matungulu

Written by the Saint

• No known works were written by Blessed Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta.

External Links

• Wikipedia: Marie-Clémentine Anuarite Nengapeta
• Vatican News: Blessed Anuarite is also a model for all young people
• Dictionary of African Christian Biography: Anuarite Nengapeta
• Mission Spazio Spadoni: Blessed Anuarite Nengapeta 60 Years After Her Martyrdom