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…
Season of Creation 2025
Season of Creation is a time (September 1 – October 4) for Christians to come together in prayer and action for Creation. The theme for Season of Creation this year is Peace with Creation Our Biblical text for this year is Isaiah 32:14-18. The prophet Isaiah pictured the desolated Creation without peace because of the lack of justice and the broken relationship between God and humankind. This description of devastated cities and wastelands eloquently stresses the fact that human destructive behaviours have a negative impact on the Earth. Our hope: Creation will find peace when justice is restored. There is still hope and the expectation for a peaceful Earth. To hope in a biblical context does not mean to stand still and quiet, but to act, pray, change, and reconcile with Creation and the Creator in unity, metanoia (repentance), and solidarity. The Symbol for 2025 is the Garden of…
“Sister, Can I Have My Tree?”: Planting Hope in Northern Uganda
By Sr. Magdalena Orczykowska – Ukusijoni, Uganda In the sun bathed lands of Northern Uganda, the changing climate is no longer just a distant topic—it’s a daily reality. Dry seasons have become longer and hotter, trees are disappearing due to charcoal burning and construction needs, and the air grows dustier by the day. In this challenging context, a seed of hope was planted – both literally and figuratively. The idea was born during an online training for JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation) animators, organized by the JPIC Commission of UISG and USG. Inspired and energized by the session, we felt called to act – starting with something small, yet deeply meaningful: trees. As a team of missionaries, we organized an awareness sessions and tree distribution campaign in the refugee settlements of Maaji and Agojo. Our goal was simple—to educate about the importance of trees and provide…
Celebrating Tabaski with Muslim Neighbors: Testimony from Burkina Faso
By Sr. Vickness Muleya – Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso It was a beautiful, sunlit day in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. I felt a deep desire to take part in the Tabaski Festival (Eid al-Adha) for the first time since arriving here – a symbolic gesture of interfaith solidarity and shared humanity with our Muslim brothers and sisters. Somewhere in my heart, I sensed the call to live our missionary charism on a deeper level – through presence, communion, and mutual respect. After Mass, Sister Nadine Nana and I made our way to the meeting point near the cathedral by Radio Maria, where we were warmly welcomed. We were soon joined by others and gathered under the guidance of Father Étienne Kaboré, head of Islamic-Christian Dialogue. He divided us into three groups. I joined a group of five with Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo. As we entered the prayer grounds, I was…
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…
Together for Youth in Uganda: A Mission of Hope
From Sr. Julienne Bouda and Sr. Magdalena Orczykowska, in Ukusijoni, Uganda As we join the universal Church in celebrating the Youth Jubilee 2025, we rejoice in the gift of youth and their vital role in the life of the Church and society. In Uganda, young people are full of energy and potential, but many also face real challenges: poverty, limited access to education, and unemployment. As Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, we are deeply committed to the youth apostolate, especially among refugee populations, where the majority are young. We engage at various levels of youth ministry, offering mentorship, formation, and spiritual accompaniment. Often, we actively participate in youth events and gatherings across Uganda—not only to be present, but to walk closely with the young, listen to their stories, and help them discover their deepest desires and unique vocation. These events are precious moments to connect,…
When Patience Takes Root
When Patience Takes Root: A Community Journey Through a Sunflower As we grow older, patience is often put to the test: receiving care, waiting for the elevator, living in close community… One day, Sr. Monique Bonami, from our Saint-Joseph community, shared her struggle with impatience—her own and that of others. Together, we decided to reflect on this theme as a community. 🌱 Sowing to Learn At our first meeting, each Sister received a sunflower seed to plant, a Bible verse on patience to meditate on daily, and an envelope with reflection questions to open ten days later. The goal? To observe our own patience during the germination process and compare it to the patience we need in daily life with one another. 🌻 From Seed to Awareness At our second gathering, we shared our experiences. Most described a confident, joyful waiting. Two Sisters felt some anxiety: “Why…
Seeds of Change: Faith, Youth, and Ecology in Nouakchott
The community in Nouakchott shares the dream of a beautiful world Since last year, we have been involved in ecological training in various parish groups. This year, the question arose: Why not find a place to discuss this topic with Mauritanian youth and children? The idea came to us to make this proposal to a school with which we already collaborate through the scholarships offered to certain children, the Pythagore School. At the same time, the proposal also came from them, and they shared with us their dream of organizing nature outings for their students. How could we not see the finger of God in this? Since then, Sr. Mia has given three ecology-related activities to the elementary and middle school students. The focus was on climate change, human responsibility, and the call for behavioral change. For example, putting garbage in the trash can and not next to…