In order to consolidate the family spirit among the sister congregations, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (MSOLA) organized a day of meeting of the MSOLA General Council with the Superiors General of the Family of Our Lady of Africa. This meeting took place on May 7, 2022 in Viale Trentaprile. Some new Superiors participated for the first time.
In a time of prayer, each Superior General lit a small candle and we entrusted to Mary: our world, Africa, our Congregations and our meeting; Africans at home or on other continents; all those who do not know Jesus; those who experience abuse; peoples in distress; the apostles of today and young people so that they might hear the call of Christ.
In linguistic groups, French and English, and then in plenary, we shared the experiences lived in our Institutes during the Covid 19 pandemic and also the situation of terrorism and insecurity which negatively influenced the life of our congregations. In faith in the God who always draws good from evil, we have recognized all the initiatives implemented both at the level of our personal and community spiritual life and in our missions, to love, welcome and save lives.
We were also able to reflect on the theme of the Plenary Assembly of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG): “Embracing vulnerability on the synodal journey”.
We recognized our own vulnerabilities as the primary leaders of our Institutes. This awareness puts us on the path of humility to admit and accept the vulnerability of others. Humility gives us the wisdom to walk with others while respecting differences. We need others to build a relationship, for collaboration, for mutual aid. These are elements of the synodal process.
Recognizing the importance of listening allows us to welcome and accept others without prejudice. We are convinced that our own limits and the limits of our Institutes are opportunities for conversion and rooting in Jesus Christ who dared to make himself vulnerable by taking on our human condition through his Incarnation (Jn 1:14).
We concluded our meeting by encouraging one another to continue the formation meetings, to give each other information and to find means for exchange through visits between Institutes and the creation of a WhatsApp group.
In the name of all the Institutes accompanied by the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, we reiterate our gratitude for so much love and delicacy towards us. Dear Mothers, may God keep you in his love and grant you his blessings in abundance. We wish you a good preparation for your General Chapter 2023! We assure you of our prayers.
Sr Pauline SAWADOGO, Superior General of the SIC, Burkina Faso
