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…
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…
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…