On Saturday September 8th the Missionaries of Africa in Namur, Belgium opened their doors to relatives and friends of the White Fathers and White Sisters from Wallonie and Brussels for a day of meeting and sharing.
Enjoying our richness through photos and films
In the chapel, Sr. Jeannine Garitte had exhibited photos of the Congregation: yesterday, today and even tomorrow (photos of the Sisters who had just made their first profession and those of final commitment). On another wall, there were posters showing the various means of transport of the Fathers and Sisters during our beginnings in Africa.
In another room there was a small film: “The Triplets” created in 1955 in Tanzania by Sr. Jean Chrysostome with the help of a Brother.
The highlight of the evening, to celebrate our 150th anniversary, was a showing of the great historical film recounting the beginning and development of the missionary work of our two Institutes in West Africa (last year it was about ‘North Africa). This slideshow entitled “Baobab” is the work of Fr. Manu Quertemont who works several weeks a year in the photographic archives of Rome.
Sr. Mia Dombrecht captivated successive audiences with slideshows showing the four apostolic objectives of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa: encounter and interreligious and intercultural dialogue; migration, refugees and displaced persons; modern slavery and human trafficking and care of the environment. Children’s games were also planned including an inflatable castle and Sr. Mia offered to help children who wanted to write their name in Arabic.
The testimony of a couple who came to the Meeting of Families and Friends of the White Fathers and White Sisters:
“We go there especially to immerse ourselves in this atmosphere so worthwhile, of welcome, opening, discovery, meetings, and also “formation” (especially through the videos). This year, we enjoyed Sr. Mia DOMBRECHT’s presentation–her vast experience (geographically speaking) and her enthusiasm and simplicity. The last film, “BAOBAB”, was particularly interesting to us because we have often seen Central Africa whereas here it was West Africa.
In the chapel, we admired the photos exhibited for the 150th Anniversary: Missionaries of yesterday and today. As we went around we found those we know and we took the opportunity to share and chat with them.
Finally, we do not forget to congratulate and thank the staff of the house of the White Fathers of Namur for their friendliness and their talents of “cordon-bleus.” The food is always excellent!”
See you next year to end our Jubilee!
Sr Monique Bonami, Brussels, Belgium
