The History
In 1905, a French Jesuit, Fr. Moreau, established the Chikuni Parish. Located midway between Lusaka and Livingstone, Chikuni Parish stands as a vibrant example of the strength of community and the determination of its people to seize opportunities for self-development. From the outset, there has been a consistent effort to support the local population—now numbering around 25,000 Batonga farmers—in all aspects of human development.
It was recognized early in the mission’s history that education is key to realizing the motto of St. Irenaeus: “The glory of God is a human being fully alive.” With this vision in mind, the Jesuits have, over the years, established 48 primary schools, Canisius Secondary School, and the Charles Lwanga Teacher Training College.
Today, the primary challenges faced by these rural communities stem from their isolation.
In 1905, a French Jesuit, Fr. Moreau, established the Chikuni Parish. Located midway between Lusaka and Livingstone, Chikuni Parish stands as a vibrant example of the strength of community and the determination of its people to seize opportunities for self-development. From the outset, there has been a consistent effort to support the local population—now numbering around 25,000 Batonga farmers—in all aspects of human development.
It was recognized early in the mission’s history that education is key to realizing the motto of St. Irenaeus: “The glory of God is a human being fully alive.” With this vision in mind, the Jesuits have, over the years, established 48 primary schools, Canisius Secondary School, and the Charles Lwanga Teacher Training College.
Today, the primary challenges faced by these rural communities stem from their isolation.
Working for the Community
Playing an integral role in informing, developing, and empowering the people, the Jesuits are involved in a wide range of projects.
The parish serves many individuals living with AIDS and has established a Home-Based Care project. This initiative helps patients return to their families to spend their final days in a loving and familiar environment, easing the strain on limited hospital resources and helping to break down the stigma surrounding AIDS.
The parish also operates its own Retreat House, where individuals can engage in prayer and meditation. Additionally, the Christian Life Community team offers neighborhood retreats for people in the outstations.
Playing an integral role in informing, developing, and empowering the people, the Jesuits are involved in a wide range of projects.
The parish serves many individuals living with AIDS and has established a Home-Based Care project. This initiative helps patients return to their families to spend their final days in a loving and familiar environment, easing the strain on limited hospital resources and helping to break down the stigma surrounding AIDS.
The parish also operates its own Retreat House, where individuals can engage in prayer and meditation. Additionally, the Christian Life Community team offers neighborhood retreats for people in the outstations.
There are 21 outstations in the mission, which covers an area of 10,000 square kilometres. Walking is the most feasible means of transport for the majority of the population. Given such a vast area, it is impossible for the local community to fully participate in broader community life. In today’s world, access to information is indispensable and must play a central role in any development effort. It soon became clear that the Batonga people needed a means of receiving relevant information to help them develop both individually and communally. This was the motivation behind the inception of Radio Chikuni.
The Cardoner Prayer Garden
Welcome to the Cardoner Prayer Garden
The Cardoner Prayer Garden is named after the River Cardoner, near Manresa in Spain, where St. Ignatius of Loyola had a profound mystical experience. At the time, St. Ignatius had recently turned away from his worldly life and desires, seeking instead to pursue a life devoted to God.
He went to Manresa to deepen his spiritual journey. One day, he went to the bank of the River Cardoner to pray. During his prayer, he had an extraordinary interior experience, which he describes in his autobiography as follows:
He sat for a while facing the River Cardoner, which was running deep. While seated there, the eyes of his understanding began to open. Though he did not see any vision, he came to understand and know many things—both spiritual matters and those of faith and learning. This understanding came with such great enlightenment that everything seemed new to him. It was as if he were a new man with a new intellect.
The Cardoner Prayer Garden in Chikuni is a sacred space for prayer and reflection. The Jesuits here hope to create an atmosphere that echoes the one in which St. Ignatius had his mystical experience. We hope that all pilgrims to the Cardoner Prayer Garden will leave with a deepened awareness—an experience that opens the eyes of their understanding to see, love, and serve God in a more concrete and practical way.
Not only does the Prayer Garden offer a serene environment for personal and communal prayer, but it is also a historical landmark in Chikuni. Within the garden stands the tree under which the negotiations for establishing the new mission were held.
The Cardoner Prayer Garden is an ideal place for reflection, prayer, and retreats—for groups, couples, families, and individuals. Whether you choose to spend time alone in quiet contemplation or come as part of a group for a day of prayer and recollection, this is a space that welcomes all. Retreats can be self-guided or directed by a retreat guide.
For more information or enquiries, please contact Fr. Kalyepe, SJ, at +260 97 6872702.
The Cardoner Prayer Garden is named after the River Cardoner, near Manresa in Spain, where St. Ignatius of Loyola had a profound mystical experience. At the time, St. Ignatius had recently turned away from his worldly life and desires, seeking instead to pursue a life devoted to God.
He went to Manresa to deepen his spiritual journey. One day, he went to the bank of the River Cardoner to pray. During his prayer, he had an extraordinary interior experience, which he describes in his autobiography as follows:
He sat for a while facing the River Cardoner, which was running deep. While seated there, the eyes of his understanding began to open. Though he did not see any vision, he came to understand and know many things—both spiritual matters and those of faith and learning. This understanding came with such great enlightenment that everything seemed new to him. It was as if he were a new man with a new intellect.
The Cardoner Prayer Garden in Chikuni is a sacred space for prayer and reflection. The Jesuits here hope to create an atmosphere that echoes the one in which St. Ignatius had his mystical experience. We hope that all pilgrims to the Cardoner Prayer Garden will leave with a deepened awareness—an experience that opens the eyes of their understanding to see, love, and serve God in a more concrete and practical way.
Not only does the Prayer Garden offer a serene environment for personal and communal prayer, but it is also a historical landmark in Chikuni. Within the garden stands the tree under which the negotiations for establishing the new mission were held.
The Cardoner Prayer Garden is an ideal place for reflection, prayer, and retreats—for groups, couples, families, and individuals. Whether you choose to spend time alone in quiet contemplation or come as part of a group for a day of prayer and recollection, this is a space that welcomes all. Retreats can be self-guided or directed by a retreat guide.
For more information or enquiries, please contact Fr. Kalyepe, SJ, at +260 97 6872702.