In memory of the death of Mother Marie-Salomé on 18 October 1930, in Algiers
The cross on the coffin on Mother Marie-Salome From the book by Colonel de l’Éprevier On the morning of the 18th, she received Holy Communion; she now felt that she was leaving. The good Lord will come for me soon,” she said to the nuns who surrounded her. “I feel weary, I can hardly pray anymore.” As they could not hold back their tears, she said to them, “Do not cry, my dear Sisters, I forbid you. Just pray for me.” From her room, she could hear the singing in the chapel. “It is the Sisters praying for you,” they told her. “Oh yes, pray well for me,” she replied, “I need it, so that the good Lord will forgive me and welcome me into his paradise. ” Then they said to her, Venerable Mother, you must also pray for the Congregation. When you are with…
Inauguration of a Memorial Monument for the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa in Boxtel
On June 3, 2025, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters) inaugurated a commemorative monument at the Munsel Municipal Cemetery in Boxtel, marking a historic milestone in their presence in the Netherlands. A Solemn Tribute to 500 Missionaries Sent to Africa In the presence of Mayor Ronald van Meygaarden and members of the General Council from Rome, the monument was unveiled with a drum roll, as African fabrics covering it were ceremoniously removed. This event paid tribute to the 500 missionary sisters who departed from Boxtel and Esch to serve in Africa—young, devoted, and unconditionally committed to their missionary calling. The End of the White Sisters’ Active Mission in the Netherlands Today, only seven White Sisters remain in the Netherlands. The unveiling of the monument also symbolizes the completion of their congregation’s active mission in the country, while preserving a legacy of faith, service, and missionary dedication.…
The Hidden Legacy of Missionary Sisters in Natural Sciences
Sr Gisela Schreyer presents the Scientific Approach of Missionary Sisters: A Forgotten Treasure When Mission Met Scientific Observation Cardinal Charles Lavigerie strongly encouraged his missionaries — Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters — to engage deeply with the countries they were sent to: learning the language, understanding the culture, and documenting anything of interest, including scientific observations. Although the Sisters, unlike the Fathers, did not receive specialized training, some took a great interest in these fields and began to document what they learned from local communities. A Precious Discovery in the Archives Among these documents are preserved collections of medicinal plants and natural dyes, used notably in the crafting of traditional carpets. These rare materials were rediscovered by historian Mme Catherine Marin, who authored a book on Mother Marie Salomé, during one of her visits to Rome. She invited me to present these treasures during a Missionary Documentation Day in…
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…
The Netherlands: a walk through history
On the 9th of April we organized a walk of 12 kilometers from the local history museum in Boxtel to the little village of Esch, a place from which many White Sisters left for Africa between 1895-2005. Since the 1st of January 2021 Esch belongs to the bigger village of Boxtel and to mark this date the local museum made an exhibition about the ‘Canon (history) of Esch’. Esch is an old village where Roman remains were found by archaeologists; it is around 1300 years old. One of the objects on the exposition is a big painting by one of our sisters, the almost blind Sr. Dymphna Kleemans (+), of the motherhouse ‘Sancta Monica’ and a doll of a White Sister in her old habit. The old mother house of the White Sisters, St. Monica (the mother of St. Augustin was named Monica and she was born in Algeria), is…
Blessing of the stone bearing the names of our sisters
Today we come to remember our sisters who lived their consecration to the end and died a violent death. We want to be inspired by their fidelity and the gift of their lives. Pope Francis during the ceremony to commemorate the modern martyrs at the Church of St Bartolomeo in Rome in April 2017, said: “How often, in difficult moments of history, have we heard it said: ‘Today our country needs heroes’? Likewise, we can ask, ‘Today, what does our Church need?’ Martyrs, witnesses, that is, everyday saints of ordinary life, lives lived coherently.” We are all called to this. “But we also need those who have the courage to accept the grace to be witnesses until the end, until death. Martyrs are the witnesses who carry forward the Church; those who witness to the fact that Jesus is risen, that Jesus is alive, who witness…
A storm at sea
On the 9th September 1869, eight young women from Brittany in the West of France, arrived in Algiers. This was one day later than foreseen due to a very bad storm while they were crossing the Mediterranean. And thus begins the history of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa! Msgr. Lavigerie, bishop of Algiers, had been waiting for them. Not seeing their arrival, from a high hill in the city he sent his blessing on the troubled sea and on the troubled beginnings of the future congregation. From the time of his arrival at the Episcopate in Algiers in 1866, cholera was raging in the country. There were many victims both from the famine and the illnesses that followed, leaving many orphans. To answer these needs Msgr. Lavigerie wanted to found a Congregation of sisters. But where to find religious missionary vocations? He sent to France Father…