The history of the statue of Our Lady of Africa
Before the feast of Our Lady of Africa on the 30th of April, we wanto to share the history of the statue of Mary in the Basilica of Algiers. Her story starts in 1840… On 5 February 1840, Bishop Dupuch, since 1839 the first Bishop of Algiers went to France to find priests and resources for his new diocese. When he arrived in Paris, he visited the Sisters of the Sacred Heart and there he saw the statue of the Virgo Fidelis, by Edme Bouchardon, King Louis XV’s sculptor. He was immediately won over and asked for a copy. In July 1907, the Sisters of the Sacred Heart were expelled and went into exile. The property in Villeurbanne was divided up into lots. In 1937, the White Fathers were able to buy the lot which included the chapel and made it their procure. A copy of the statue was made thanks…
Birthday of Mother Marie Salomé
In this day of her birthday in 1847, we remember Mother Marie-Salomé in the words of some Missionaries of Africa and in the Chronicles. From the booklet “Centenary of Reverend Mother Marie-Salomé 1847-1947 – Lectures given at the Mother House by Rev. J. Joseph Maze, White Father” The direct action of God is clearly manifested in the humble only, for the humble are holy. Was Reverend Mother Marie Salome holy? She had asked for that grace when she made her First Communion. “What did you ask Jesus for?” somebody had asked. At eleven years of age she had answered: “I asked God to make me a saint by doing whatever He wills.” A simple enough answer, but admirable in the mouth of a child. If we study all the treatises of the Spiritual Life, if we read the advice and maxims of their authors, we find that the…
Lavigerie Family of Kadutu
Posted by the Kadutu Community, DRC The Lavigerie family of Kadutu met on August 4, 2024 at the home of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa in Kadutu. Let’s start with a little history to understand who this group is. Since the celebration of the centenary of the death of Cardinal Lavigerie, a group of lay people have been touched by the vision of our founder, his actions, his charism, the ‘all to all’, his anti-slavery struggle to restore dignity to Africans, his love for Africa, his charity (Caritas, the Pelican) and his call to be apostles. All this was passed on to his missionaries to evangelise Africa. This group, called ‘Laïcs Missionnaires Lavigeriens’, was led by our sister Marie-Claude Berrod. The members met in the sisters’ community and were recognised by the diocese. They made their promise to the Church at a Mass celebrated…
Honoring the Charism of Cardinal Lavigerie: The Missionary Legacy in Northern Africa
From our Sr Zawadi Barungu on mission in Ghardaïa, Algeria In the majority of our mission posts in Norther part of Africa, the legacy of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa and the Missionaries of Africa who lived the charism of our founder Cardinal Lavigerie remains alive. In many instances, we discover their footprints and fruits of their dedicated work. Remembering Sister Renée Guillermin: A Tribute to Her Life and Service It is with great sorrow that we learned the news of the return to the Father of our sister Renée Guillermin, this November 26. We lived with Rénée in Ghardaïa, Algeria. She leaves us with the memory of a sister who was always approachable, generous in her self-giving. Her simplicity and joy remain a treasure for us. Our neighbors remember her. Rénée lived 19 years in Ghardaïa, Algeria. She taught embroidery and sewing…
Inauguration in Malindi, Kenya
From our sister Redempta Kabahweza, Malindi community, Kenya On 24 November 2024, the feast of Christ the King, the Community of Malindi joined the Missionaries of Africa in their parish of Tarasaa for the inauguration of the bicentenary of Cardinal Charles Lavigerie. It was a beautiful celebration with Mass celebrated by the Provincial of the EAP Province, Fr. Oswald Mallya. In his homily he highlighted the passion of Cardinal Lavigerie to save Africans from the slave trade. His desire was that the dignity of every human being be respected and protected, especially for Africans sold into slavery, and that is why he founded the two Institutes to spread this Gospel throughout Africa. He further explained that slavery still exists in another form called modern slavery and Cardinal Lavigerie challenges us to continue the mission of protecting humanity from modern slavery. As the parish also celebrated its…
Opening of the bicentenary of the birth of Cardinal Lavigerie in Nairobi
From our sister Xaverine Mukansinga, in the Kodhek community, Kenya At the end of the month dedicated to mission in the Catholic Church, on 31 October 2024, the Missionaries of Africa, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa and the lay associates of the Lavigerie family gathered at Our Lady of Peace parish in South B, in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, to celebrate the opening of the bicentenary of the birth of Cardinal Charles Martial Allemand Lavigerie. We were able to honour his legacy and give thanks to God for his profound impact on the Catholic Church, humanity and the African continent. Archbishop Philip Anyolo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Nairobi, was present and presided over the Eucharistic celebration, which was led by the Missionaries of Africa theology student choir. In his homily, the archbishop reminded us that participating in the mission of Jesus is the very definition…
Opening of the bicentenary with the blowing of the horn
From our Sister Eliane Nzoyisaba, in Bunamwaya, Uganda The celebration took place at Lubaga Cathedral on Thursday 31 October 2024. We were very happy to be with all our sisters who came from Adjumani to celebrate with us. We prepared this celebration in collaboration with the Missionaries of Africa. The day before we had an exhibition (Missionaries of Africa and us Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa) at Lubaga Cathedral. It was interesting to see people coming to ask what event we were having and also to ask about our congregations. The main celebrant was Mgr Lawrence Ssemusu. We had three very important events: – The opening of the bicentenary of the birth of Cardinal Lavigerie. – The celebration of the 125th anniversary of our arrival in Uganda. – The closing of a historical exhibition on the 60th anniversary of the canonisation of the Uganda Martyrs by…
Prayer for the Bicentenary Celebration
Lord Jesus, we thank you for the life you gave to our Founder, Cardinal Lavigerie and for the missionary charism that he passed on to us. Strengthen in us the spirit of prayer and simplicity. Consolidate our community and intercultural life. Revive our dedication, enthusiasm and apostolic zeal. Deeply renew our missionary vocation in the service of the African world. We ask this through the intercession of Our Lady of Africa. Amen. Here are the links to download Prayer for the Bicentenary Celebration in various languages in PDF format: PDF ES ORACIÓN – Un año con el cardenal Lavigerie+EN+FR PDF FR PRIÈRE- Une année avec le cardinal+EN+IT PDF IT PREGHIERA – Un anno con il cardinale Lavigerie+EN+FR PDF POL MODLITWA – Rok z kardynałem Lavigerie+EN+FR PDF POR ORAÇÃO – Um ano com o Cardeal Lavigerie+EN+FR
Dare to dream of a new creation!
This is the Letter of the General Council on the 154th anniversary of the birth of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Our Lady of Africa. Rome, 8th September 2023 Ladies! If it’s just us to get started, it’ll be lovely! Dare to dream of a new creation! Dear Sisters, Happy feast day of the birth of our Lady and our Congregation! From the very beginning our Congregation has been on a journey of transformation within itself and within the Church. Our first heroic Sisters from Brittany, responding to the call of Cardinal Lavigerie, embarked on an adventure…
Celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Africa
From our sister Georgette Ouedraogo, Lilongwe community, Malawi On 29th April 2023, MSOLA sisters in Malawi, we celebrated the feast of our Lady of Africa. Before the appointed day, we had some reflections and discussions about how to celebrate the feast, seeing that our parish and cathedral is named “Our Lady of Africa”. At the end of all the discussions and in the midst of so many ideas, suggestions and possibilities, we opted to use the opportunity to open our doors by inviting a few members of our parish and our brothers the Missionaries of Africa to join us for the celebration. This was in view of calling out to them for a new form of belonging with a focus of finding people who would like to be part of Lavigerie group in Malawi. The program for the Mass included at the beginning the sharing of the history…