media releases - Rev P Lucas of St Michael's convent is to receive her master's

In an interview she said: “I studied for an MTh in Christian Spirituality. It took me longer to finish my degree than I had hoped. I was in a car crash which meant I had to take some time out of study and coming back after illness was hard work, but it was worth it. I am delighted to have eventually got my degree and wanted very much to come to Pretoria to receive it. My mother was also determined that she should be able to come and support me and will be there on the 30th.  

I already hold degrees in Theology and Social Work, but I was interested to study Christian Spirituality. At the time when I was looking to study Christian Spirituality I wanted a course that could also enrich my work as a parish priest. The UK had limited programmes in that field and what was available were taught courses on the other side of the country. UNISA offered me an opportunity to engage in study which was exiting, challenging with excellent supervision. It made no difference that I was in England as modern communication meant I could touch base with my supervisor easily and the library services at UNISA provided me with all the materials I needed to read for my research.

I belong to the Community of the Sisters of the Church, an Anglican religious community founded in England in 1870. Over the years the community has founded schools, orphanages, worked with the homeless and sought to engage in meeting people's physical as well as spiritual needs. Today our convent takes guests for retreats, sisters engage in educational work, chaplaincy and many other forms of pastoral and spiritual work. When I come to South Africa I will be visiting the grave of one of sisters who died in South Africa in 1900. Three sisters came to nurse the sick and wounded during the Boer War. Sister Teresa died of dysentery having tended the soldiers with the illness after the relief of Ladysmith and was buried with full military honours in Fort Napier cemetery Pietermaritzburg. Five years ago a head stone was erected on her grave and I will be seeking to visit and pay respects. “

The ceremony begins at 18:00 and guests will be seated by 17:45. 

Mr Abe Mokoka will be the media officer on duty.  His contact number is 082 375 4457 or mokokma@unisa.ac.za