A new member at the Dicastery
The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development was created on August 17, 2016 according to the wishes that our Holy Father Pope Francis expressed in his Apostolic Letter, under the form of a Motu Proprio, Humanam Progressionem. The new Dicastery promotes the integral development of the person in light of the Gospel and in line with the Social Doctrine of the Church. It dedicates particular attention to taking care of the goods of justice, peace and the safeguarding of Creation, as well as issues regarding disarmament, human rights, human mobility, health, charitable works, expressing the concern and attention of the Pope towards a humanity that suffers, among whom are the needy, the ill and the excluded. In addition, the Dicastery follows issues regarding the necessities of those who are forced to abandon their own countries or those who are without one, the marginalized, the victims of armed conflicts and…
The heart still beats… a memorable day in Ouarzazate
Our Sisters in Ouarzazate, 3rd on the left Sr. Rehema and in the centre Sr. Hélène, among the faithful who came to celebrate together the Eucharist The Community of Ouarzazate, Morocco, share a memorable day There are days that leave an indelible mark on the soul, like a light that continues to shine for a long time. Sunday, October 26, was one of those days. In a context that does not allow us to hold open public activities or celebrations, we chose to mark the closing of the Jubilee Year of our Founder, Cardinal Charles Lavigerie, with what unites us most: a Eucharistic celebration imbued with recollection and fervour. A moment where every gesture and word counts. The preparations were simple but made with much love. A few prayers, a short message about our Founder and prayer intentions filled with hope. We also chose hymns in different…
Doing what you (tin)can
Sr Leny on her rounds Sr Leny Droogh, who is 90 years young, has a daily task she has carefully chosen. When she walks to church every morning at 9 o’clock with her rollator, she picks up every plastic bottle and tin can that she can find, in the grass along the road or in the garbage bins. On the way from the church coming back home to the Wereldhuis, she does the same. She also does this when she goes to the supermarket for shopping. Then she goes to the recycling spot in the market and she gets a refund based on the amount of cans and plastic bottles. Last year the refunds all added up to more than 1.200 euros! She divides this well-earned money among all kinds of good initiatives, like a local project for vulnerable people or a mission project in Africa and…
A Journey of Hope Against Human Trafficking
By Sr. Justine Akampamya This year’s theme for International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking was PEACE BEGINS WITH DIGNITY. Indeed, without dignity accorded to every individual, there is no peace. I was glad to participate partly in the prayer against human trafficking in Rome. I was touched by the engagement of the youth from different continents working towards the prevention of human trafficking through networking and education for young people. Part of the prayer was what was termed as “a Walk for Humanity.” Here, the participants had a guided tour to the Colosseum, and a link between current and ancient human suffering through slavery was made. All along this journey, the personal invitation was on how each one can make a contribution to protect life. During the vigil prayer, a survivor gave a witness about her long journey from Darfur, fleeing for her life and risking being snatched…
XII International day against human trafficking
The International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking takes place every year on February 8th, the day in which we celebrate the liturgical memory of St. Bakhita, the Sudanese nun who as a child had the dramatic experience of being kidnapped and enslaved and became the universal symbol of the Church’s commitment against trafficking. It is promoted by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and the Union of Superiors General (USG). The coordination of the network of partners and adherents is entrusted to Talitha Kum, the international network founded by the UISG and committed against trafficking in persons. We are committed to the work of UISG and Talitha Kum and we share with you some material for preparation and reflection All the material are from this website https://preghieracontrotratta.org/ which is in five languages. Peace and dignity are inseparable. In the words of Emily Greene Balch, Nobel prize for…
Catechists training in Maaji and Agojo
Sr. Magda during a class By Sr. Magdalena Orczykowska, Ukusijoni community, Uganda In the Maaji and Agojo refugee settlements in Northern Uganda, our team of Missionaries of Africa and Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa continues to offer regular training for the catechists who serve the Christian communities. These moments of formation are one of the simple ways we bring the Word of God to people who continue to wait for the Good News of hope. During the sessions, the catechists deepen their understanding of theology, spirituality, and leadership, and they learn to recognize God’s presence in their daily lives. Each session gathers around 25 catechists, ranging from young people who are still in school to elders who sometimes struggle with English. We also encourage women, who form the majority in the refugee settlements, to participate actively and take up this important leadership role within their communities. The…
A very modest commitment to recycling and care
Srs Maria del Carmen García Sedeño, Juana-Maria Gomez Rodriguez et Adoración Bolívar Castro with another resident We close the year 2025 with an article from our sisters Maria del Carmen García Sedeño, Juana-Maria Gomez Rodriguez et Adoración Bolívar Castro in Málaga, Spain, that shows how the smallest gesture can make a difference and start a change for us and for our communities. For several years now, we have been living at the Madre Carmen residence for the elderly in Málaga, Spain. At present, there are three White Sisters living here. Our residence is very good, and we like it a great deal. It is considered one of the best residences in our region. However, since our arrival, something has struck us: our residence does not recycle all the waste it produces every day, and we can assure you, there is a lot of it! At the…
Jubilee for Refugees in Northern Uganda
By Sr. Magdalena Orczykowska, MSOLA In communion with the whole Church, the Diocese of Arua joined in celebrating the Jubilee Year with a special focus on the World Day of Migrants and Refugees under the theme: “Pilgrims of Hope – a hope that never disappoints.” The celebration took place in Maaji Refugee Settlement, which is under the pastoral care of the Missionaries of Africa and the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa. Preparing the Jubilee Preparation for this great day began long in advance. A team of missionaries, together with Christian communities within the settlement, followed the guidelines of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development to ensure the celebration would reflect the spirit of the Jubilee of Migrants and Refugees. The aim was to deepen awareness, strengthen faith, and renew hope among the displaced communities. The Celebration The climax of the event came on October…
Migrants, missionaries of hope
Message of Pope Leo XIV for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees “Migrants, missionaries of hope” is the Message of Pope Leo XIV for the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR). The WDMR, which usually falls on the last Sunday of September, will be celebrated this year on 4 and 5 October on the occasion of the Jubilee of Migrants. In his Message, the Holy Father reflects on the current context sadly marked by wars, violence, injustice and extreme weather events, which force millions of people to leave their homelands in search of refuge elsewhere”. The search for happiness is one of the causes of human mobility, and the link between migration and hope, which is well reflected in the Jubilee 2025 motto “Pilgrims of Hope”, is often at the heart of many migration experiences. As the Pope explains in his Message, it is often migrants, refugees…
A Visit to Karlsruhe: Meeting a Community Committed to Helping Refugees
Tanja Klein Jung, our coordinator in Germany, visited the Karlsruhe community and shares her moving impressions of a day filled with humanity, compassion, and solidarity. A Compassionate Community in Karlsruhe In March, I had the opportunity to visit Sister Kordula and Sister Chantal at Maison Lavigerie in Karlsruhe. Both are part of a dynamic community of the White Fathers, actively and wholeheartedly engaged in helping refugees. They provide support, a listening ear, and genuine presence to those who have lost everything. I’ve worked with the Sisters for several years, but often wondered what their daily life in Karlsruhe was really like. What does it truly mean to help people in such difficult circumstances? These questions had been on my mind for a long time, and I finally had the chance to spend an afternoon alongside Sister Kordula to witness her work. A Powerful Encounter: Anne, a Refugee in Karlsruhe That…