Collected by: Don Sybertz, with special thanks to Rev Joe Healey  (African Proverbs, Sayings and Stories)

Olihoi ng’waniki umo ilina lwakwe, Maria, uyo olina miaka ikumi nitandatu. Agikala musi ya Misri. Umo wikaji bhokwe olina nhungwa mbi noi ya bhulamba. Agabhiza agubhalondejaga bhanajeshi bhuli kwene uko bhajaga.

Nhangala ninghi witanagwa nu Mulungu anshokele aliyo kulwa gutongelwa na wikumbwa bhokwe bhubhi agaduuma.

Lushugu lumo agaja kuliKelesiya lwa Yerusalemu mulikanisa lwa ng’wa ntakatifu Ana. Ahoogema hangi na hangi ugunshindeka umunanyango kulo nguzu aliyo hei! Yalihoi nguzu iyo yanemejaga ugwingila.

Aho obhona giki odumaga ugwingila umu likelesia, agaja kusanamu ya ng’wa Bikira Maria, iyo yalibihi nu wei. Utuja mazwi na gulomba wambilijiwe kugiki apandike gugalucha inhungwa jakwe ijabhubhi.

Agagaluka nghana. Agandya gulila kunguno ya shibhi jakwe. Gwandija lushiku lunulo, ugwigwa moto go bhutogwa bho ng’wa Yesu umugati yakwe.

Agajileka ishibhi jakwe, na agandamiila Yesu Kristo. Agaja mulibambasi gujiluhya na gusalila.

Agabhiza Ntakatifu na aginhiwa jipaji ja gubhatongela bhanhu higulya ya gwikala wikaji bhutakatifu. Bhamsenyele na bha Badri bhagaja gujumona na gundegeleka. Agang’wizuka Yesu.

Bhuli lushiku isala yakwe, yali Yesu! Yesu! Yesu! Niyabhiza bhuyegi ile duligwe Ililaka lwako.

KISWAHILI: MCHANA MARIA

Alikuwepo msichana mmoja jina lake Maria, mwenye umri wa miaka kumi na sita. Aliishi katika nchi ya Misri. Katika maisha yake alikuwa na tabia mbaya sana ya umalaya. Akawa anawafuata wanajeshi kila mahali wanapokwenda.

Mara nyingi aliitwa na Mungu kutubu na kumrudia, lakini kwa sababu ya kutawaliwa na tamaa mbaya alishindwa. Siku moja alikwenda Yerusalemu kwenye kanisa la Mtakatifu Anna.

Alipofika kwenye mlango wa kanisa hilo, alijaribu kuingia lakini alishindwa. Alijaribu tena na tena kuusukuma mlango kwa nguvu lakini wapi! Kulikuwepo na nguvu iliyomzuia kuingia. Alipoona ameshindwa kuingia kanisani, akaenda kwenye sanamu ya Bikira Maria, iliyokuwa karibu naye, akapiga magoti na kumwomba msaada ili apate kubadili tabia yake mbaya.

Alibadilika kweli, akaanza kulia kwa sababu ya dhambi zake. Tangu siku hiyo, aliusikia moto wa upendo wa Yesu ndani yake. Akaziacha dhambi zake, na akamng’ang’ania Yesu  Kristo.

Akaenda jangwani kujitesa kwa kufunga na kusali. Akawa mtakatifu na akapewa kipaji cha kuwaongoza watu namna ya kuishi maisha ya Utakatifu. Maaskofu na mapadri walikwenda kumwona na kumsikiliza. Alimkumbuka Yesu. Kila  siku sala yake ilikuwa Yesu! Yesu! Yesu! Ingekuwa heri leo tusikie sauti yako.

 

ENGLISH: THE CALLED GIRL MARY

There was a girl named Mary, who was sixteen years old. She lived in  Egypt. She lived life of prostitution. She followed the soldiers everywhere they went.

She was often called by God to repent and return to Him, but because of her evil desires, she failed. One day, she visited Jerusalem particularly the church of Saint Anna.

When she came to the church door, she tried to enter but she failed. She tried again and again to push the door with all her power but she failed! There was a force that prevented her from entering. When she saw that she was not able to enter the church, she went to the image of the Virgin Mary that was next to her. She knelt down and asked to help to change her bad conduct.

She truly changed and began to cry as repentance of her sins. From that day, she felt the fire of Jesus love in her. She left her sins, and looked upon Jesus Christ for guidance.

She could go to the wilderness to fast and pray. She became holy and was given the gift of leading people to live a holy life. The bishops and priests frequently went to see her and listen to her. She always remembered Jesus. Every day, her prayer was Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! It would be better today for us to hear your voice.