The birth of a congregation

Since the beginning of Christianity people have formed communities to live and pray together, to follow in Jesus Christ steps.

Faithful communities organised themselves in orders and congregations to promote the good news and to respond to a particular charism (from the Greek word charis, meaning “grace” or “free gift”) that, as the Holy Spirit, inspired the founder with the identity and mission of the congregation.

Some orders may last for centuries, some disappear, others are created. The perennial renewal of the Holy Spirit in each generation asks all of us to confront the challenges of our times with an open heart and to respond with bravery and compassion.

The 19^th century (the years 1800) were very uncertain and insecure, in Europe and abroad, with revolutions and social upheaval and in those times many Christians were inspired to create communities to assist the victims of war, famine and oppression.

Charles Lavigerie become the Archbishop of Algiers in 1867. After serving in France and the Middle East, He was inspired to accept the appointment in Algiers as He viewed the city as an open door to the African continent. His vision for the evangelization of Africa was motivated by a deep compassion that sustained his fight against slavery, oppression and abject poverty.

To realise his vision, in 1868 He founded the congregation of the Missionaries of Africa and soon after the Missionary Sisters as he was persuaded that only women were capable of touching the lives of other women and bring change inside the private spaces in which women were constrained at the time: the home and the family.

Born on the 8^th of September in 1869, the Missionary Sisters chose Our Lady of Africa, in the Basilica of Alger, as their patroness to guide them in their primary mission that is Africa and the African people. Their particular charism is realized in the profound and sincere dialogue with the local culture, Islamic and tribal, lived by adopting the language, habit and customs of the people they serve.

Today Sisters from different countries in Europe, America and Africa and live in multicultural communities deeply embedded in the local churches. They may work in local schools and hospitals, in social services and prisons, but they also advocate at the highest level in international organizations against modern slavery, oppression and poverty. Their voices are raised also in the protection and nurturing of our common home, the Earth.