Pastoral work in the prison of Laghouat, Algeria
Jesus invites us to put into practice this Word of the Gospel. “I was a prisoner and you visited me” (Mt 25:36). Jesus sends two of us, Zawadi Barungu and Mari Angeles Yaniz, to the prison in Laghouat. We visit the prisoners there every two weeks. Since Laghouat is 220 km from Ghardaia, we go by car. The prisoners we visit have no relationship with the outside world. Far from their family, their country, without visits, they feel forgotten. Our presence brings them joy and hope. On each visit we meet between 22 and 24 men from different countries, languages, Christians from different churches. It is a joy to go and meet them, we love them and they have great confidence in us. Before the visit we prepare the text of the Sunday Gospel with a little commentary that we look for, a psalm and a prayer, which sometimes they…
Missionary Saturday 12 November 2022
Although we usually associate November with gloomy moods and grey weather – the home of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (the White Sisters) was recently filled with a very different atmosphere. Enjoying the richness and diversity of cultures, generations and nationalities, we experienced a Missionary Saturday! Amidst the autumn darkness, the Sun shone upon us – Christ, who in the Word of God led us through that Saturday morning. We had the opportunity to feed on Sunday’s Gospel and share it in groups. After a short coffee break with cake, we were introduced to basic knowledge of Poland by our guest, Magda. The presentation of the country’s history, geography, culture, cuisine and other interesting facts about the country was concluded by a series of questions from the participants and a short discussion. An important element of the presentation was the demonstration of how the Catholic faith had…
A novice participates in the vows of five sisters
I would like to share with you, dear readers, what I experienced during the preparations and the day of the celebration in a few words. On the 8 October, I participated in the first religious profession of our 4 sisters: Clementine Hanyie and Neema Kavugho Kyuma from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sylvane Roumaba from Burkina Faso, Xaverine Mukasinga from Rwanda. The same day Sister Agnieszka Lyskawinska transfered to our Congregation from Poland and made her perpetual vows. A few days before the celebration, we had the joy of welcoming our sisters from Ghana, Mauritania, Mali and Ouagadougou. You can imagine the joy of reunion. The house was lively. On the day of the celebration and especially during the homily, I was touched by the questions asked by the main celebrant, Father Jean Michel Laurent Missionary of Africa: “Which missionary do I desire and would like to be? Which missionary…
In memory of Cardinal Lavigerie
November 26, anniversary of the death of Cardinal Charles Lavigerie (1825-1892), Archbishop of Algiers and Carthage, Primate of Africa, founder of the Society of Missionaries of Africa which includes priests and brothers (“White Fathers”), and the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (“White Sisters”). On November 26, 1892, Cardinal Lavigerie died in his episcopal residence of Saint-Eugène, in Algiers. He was 67 years old. Around his deathbed were gathered the representatives of all his works in Africa: among others, Bishop Livinhac and Father Michel of Jerusalem, Father Delattre and Abbé Bombard representing Carthage and Tunis, Mother Salomé, Superior of the Missionaries Sisters of our Lady of Africa, Fr. Buffet, superior of the Jesuits of Algiers, in addition to his secretary and his doctor. This death, immediately known in France, then throughout the world, took on the proportions of a national and universal mourning. Pope Leo XIII,…
MSOLA Prechapter in Nairobi 25-30/9/2022
We celebrated the Pre-capitular Chapter of the ECA Entity, East and Central Africa, from September 25 to 30, 2022, at the Retreat Center of the Passionist Fathers in Nairobi (Kenya). We were the 3 sisters of the leadership team: Victoire, Harriet and Angela, and 15 delegates from 7 countries: Burundi, Rwanda, D.R. Congo, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. Among us, there was Sister Mapendo from the General Council, 2 other MSOLA invited to render service: Sister Pascaline who was the secretary of the Pre-capitular Chapter and Sister Magda the translator from French to English and 3 others from 3 different congregations who helped us by rendering various services: Father Joachim Zoundi, SJ, the moderator, Father Jean-Paul Sakoto of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary, the translator from English to French and Sister Céline Mbuli of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy who will be one of the moderators of…
Season of creation in Nouakchott
On the occasion of the Season of Creation 2022, the Muslim-Christian dialogue group of Nouakchott organised a common prayer by the sea on Wednesday 21 September. We sat side by side on the sand, 5 Muslims and 6 Chris-tians, contemplating the immensity of the ocean before us. We were inspired by the suggestions sent by the Sea-son of Creation 2022. During the spontaneous sharing about what was coming up in us, as we contemplated the ocean and the people around us, listening to the birds, we felt confirmed that creation unites us as believers of different traditions. God has given human beings the responsibility to care for all created beings. We experienced the Kingdom of God already here, feeling brothers and sisters, called to care together for creation and to praise God for the air we breathe, for the water that gives life, for the earth that sustains and nourishes…
The mission makes us live – Pre-chapter NOUA
From October 23 to 29 in Ouagadougou, the Pre-capitular Chapter of the North-West Africa entity, NOUA, took place. It brought together 17 sister-delegates, including the entity leadership team. We had the joy of welcoming two sisters from the General Council: Juliana Karomba and Marie-Carmen Ocon from Rome, as well as Marie Ange Ndayishimiye, translator and Clementine Mukampabuka, secretary. The preparations for this meeting took place long before, and ended with the Ignatian retreat accompanied by the writings of our venerable Mother Marie Salomé. The retreat was led by our sister Angela Kapitingana. We are grateful to her. 26 sisters took advantage of this retreat. Many other meetings and events also occurred: First of all, the first vows of 5 novices and the perpetual vows of Sister Agnieszka brought together a number of NOUA sisters. It was a great joy to meet again after several years without meetings because of the…
In joy and thanksgiving
Consulted for the meaning of the word “jubilee,” the little Larousse tells us: “To express great joy”! Yes, but what joy? That of the kids playing ball in the yard? That of the girls who tell stories of their last judo lesson? or that of the lucky winner of the national lottery?… Well no, the joy we experienced in the community of Sceaux on Thursday, October 6, 2022, is on another level. That day, Sr. Agnès Nouyrigat and 4 members of her family; Sr. Rosemarie Bordes (who had already celebrated her jubilee on August 15 in the nursing home where she lives); Father Emmanuel Lengaigne (Provincial Superior of the Missionaries of Africa) and the entire community of Sceaux were gathered to celebrate the jubilee of Agnès (50 years) and Rosemarie (60 years). Quite naturally, the preparation for this great day was organized around these two themes: joy and thanksgiving.…
A meeting that awakens our charism
While on vacation for a few days with the Poor Clares, I received a request from my friend, the mother abbess: “Marie-José, I need you. I have just had a phone call from Secours Catholique who will accompany a young African girl who will be staying with us for a day or two.” The young African arrives. She lives in the same hallway as me. At one point, I walk past her room, see her door wide open. She is sitting on the bed and rummaging through her backpack. Beside her, the unfolded sheets. ” Can I help you? We’ll make the bed together.” She warmly thanks: “I did not know this method of making the bed”. Then she tells her story: “I am an orphan–no father and mother. I lived with my grandfather and went to school until my grandfather died. There was no one left to pay and I…
The seeds of “Laudato Si”
Since July, two “Laudato Si” circles have begun to sprout in our community, one for adults and one for young people. The beginning is weak and humble. We do not yet see the path clearly but moved by our conviction “… that Africa has an important contribution to make to the world, we choose to participate in making it a reality” (excerpt from the MSOLA’s raison d’être), and trusting in God, we launched the call. The response was a nice surprise, people came. The young people asked to meet every two weeks and the adults once a month. The young people came on the 21st and the adults on the 27th of August. We are nourishing the ‘listening to creation’ with the resources from our congregation and different organisations, in a special way with the letter of Pope Francis for the time of creation and the Encyclical “Laudato Si”. In…