Sr. Xaverine Mukasinga shares with us her participation of the event
On the occasion of the bicentenary of the birth of Cardinal Charles Lavigerie, a symposium was held on 20 September 2025 at Tangaza University in Nairobi.
This event allowed us to pay tribute to the spiritual, human and missionary legacy of our founder.
The day began with a Mass presided over by Archbishop Hubertus van Megen, Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, who hailed Lavigerie as ‘one of the fruits of the Church’s rebirth after the French Revolution.’ In his homily, he recalled the power of the Cardinal’s witness.
The symposium was organised jointly by the Missionaries of Africa, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa and the members of the association “Lavigerie Lay Movement of Nairobi”, which lives out the founder’s charism in daily life.
Cardinal Lavigerie’s commitment to the abolition of slavery was also highlighted. ‘He was a fervent defender of human dignity,’ recalled Bishop van Megen. Father Stanley Lubungo, Superior General of the Missionaries of Africa, emphasised the depth of the founder’s commitment to Africa:
It was not a mere impulse of the heart, but the fruit of a lifelong commitment.’
Several testimonies illustrated this living heritage, such as that of Father Mohamadi Nare on the mission in South Sudan, or Sister Redempta Kabahweza, who works at the Pope Francis Rescue Home in Malindi, a centre for children who are victims of abuse. The mission of interreligious dialogue was highlighted by Father Felix Phili, on mission at Tangaza University, and Father Vara Prasad, on mission in the Diocese of Malindi.
Sister Angela Kapitingana, our Superior General, reminded us that Cardinal Lavigerie remains a prophetic figure:
He is a visionary, a Christ-centered founder, guided by deep faith and great spiritual insight.’
