In memory of Cardinal Lavigerie
On the 26 of November 1892, Cardinal Lavigerie dies in Algers. In 1964 his body was translated in his final resting place, the Generalate House of the Missionaries of Africa in Rome In the evening of life when, after long years of work and suffering, your tired hands will hand on to others the tools of your work… you will thank God for having used your weakness to carry out His plan. (Thoughts of Cardinal Lavigerie, 451, 26) Death would only be frightening if it was not followed by the resurrection. Our Lord manifested His power much more after His Resurrection than before His death and not only did He not avoid death, but He sought and desired it, because He knew that it was according to His Father’s plan. (Thoughts of Cardinal Lavigerie, 454, 203)
Discover the Lavigerie app – your spiritual companion
Discover the Lavigerie app – your spiritual companion for prayer, reflection and mission. Inspired by Cardinal Lavigerie, it offers his writings, letters, meditations, faith resources and daily inspiration to live out your mission wherever you are. The application is available for free download on all Android and Apple devices through the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Bicentenary of Cardinal Lavigerie: Symposium at Tangaza University Honors His Missionary Legacy
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…
Cardinal Lavigerie and Pope Francis, good shepherds of Christ
Shared by Sr. Nathalie Sedogo, Deli, Chad Men of Prayer Pope Francis and Cardinal Lavigerie both had a faith rooted in prayer. Christ was the center and reference point of their lives. According to those close to him, Pope Francis began his day with a long prayer. For him, “the key that opens faith is prayer” (statement to Vatican Radio, 7/10/2013). Cardinal Lavigerie was also a man of prayer and faith. “Among the obligations of apostolic life, it is important to place prayer above all else.” He insisted: “Just as the body would perish if deprived of air, so souls would wither and march toward death if they had not been refreshed and nourished by prayer.” Very human and good shepherds of Christ Pope Francis invites priests to be pastors “permeated with the scent of their sheep,” that is, to reach out to people in their…
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