Activities at the Worldhouse
By Marina Van Dalen, SMNDA Coordinator – Netherlands The four Dutch sisters based in Boxtel are involved in the activities at the Worldhouse, sharing their vision of a life lived out in mission every day. Iftar meal for everyone This year, Ramadan and Lent began on the same day, namely Ash Wednesday, 18 February, and we thought it would be a good idea to organise an Iftar meal for all residents during this period. Most of the Muslim residents at the Worldhouse are of Moroccan or Turkish origin; the others are Dutch or Indonesian, and they usually eat their meals separately. Two ladies from the Muslim community promised to prepare a simple Ramadan meal suitable for the older residents, not all of whom are used to Arabic cuisine. Before the meal, we gave a presentation on Christian fasting during the 40 days of Lent and another on fasting…
Meditation in memory of our Algerian martyrs
A total of 19 men and women religious, priests and a bishop, were slain in Algeria between 1994 and 1996 during the Algerian Civil War. They were declared martyrs by Pope Francis and beatified on 8 December 2018 in Oran. To facilitate the prayer for tomorrow we share a meditation prepared by the White Fathers in memory of our brothers murdered on the 27th December 1994 in Tizi Ouzou. Link to download the Meditation for the blessed martyrs of Algeria
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…
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 collaboration of MSOLA with UISG
In the past many of our sisters have collaborated with the International Union of Superiors General, in the past Sr Carmen Sammut as President, and today Sr Angela Kapitingana as a member of the Council and Sr Maamalifar Poreku in the JPIC Commission. The UISG aims to promote a wider and deeper understanding of women’s religious life in all its diversity and complexity. UISG highlights the richness of the different charisms that inspire congregations and demonstrates the diversity that flourishes among members of religious congregations, including differences in cultural backgrounds, perspectives, experiences and skills. It shares stories of the care and tenderness that sisters bring to those around them on a daily basis, often in very demanding contexts. The Talitha Kum network, in which many of our sisters collaborate, was officially founded in 2009 by the International Union of Superiors General, in order to play an active part…
Learning a people’s language and culture
Sr. Alice Yirabo Koné, at the right, with other students of the Arabic language From Sr Alice Yirabo Koné, Hydra, Algeria “Through obedience, all work, all functions, all life are inserted into the field of the apostolate and, whatever one does and wherever one is, one is sent.” I was enlightened by this assertion of Maurice Zundel throughout my first mission in Tunisia. Indeed, after my novitiate and my first profession in Bobo-Dioulasso, I was sent to the community of La Marsa in Tunisia, to learn the Arabic language and culture. As soon as I arrived, I was welcomed, initiated and integrated into the community by my sisters. Sisters Maria and Mélika in particular helped me take my first steps in learning the language through the courses they gave me. It was after this experience that I joined the Bourguiba School of Modern Languages to begin classes. …
Blessed Martyrs of Algeria
We remember the blessed martyrs of Algeria, in particular our brothers Jean Chevillard, Alain Dieulangard, Charles Deckers and Christian Chessel. On 8th May 2020 Bishop +Claude Rault. M.Afr. gave a homily to the the Missionary of Africa in Paris, France. It so happens that, through the mystery of history, I have come to know almost all the members of the Church of Algeria whose memory we celebrate today. Some I have known more, others less. On several occasions I was able to work with Bishop Pierre in the Episcopal Conference, and he came several times to the Diocese of the Sahara when I was Vicar General. He was a passionate and exciting man. His regular letters during the “black decade” soon made him a potential target for armed Islamists and security forces. He knew the risks he was taking. I was also quite close to Christian Chessel,…
Jubilee of the World of Volunteering
The entire period of the Jubilee 2025 is characterised by a rich calendar of religious, cultural and social events. The Holy Year programme includes several ‘jubilees’ dedicated to different categories of people, identified according to their profession or their role within the family, the Church and society. The two days of 8 and 9 March are dedicated to the world of volunteering, as a reminder of the role played by non-profit organisations, NGOs, social workers and volunteers from all associations working for the benefit of the community. Today we also want to remember and thank all the volunteers with whom we continue to work on various projects. We do so with an article by our sister Elisabeth Biela, who has left her role in the Karlsruhe community as leader of the refugee ministry in collaboration with many other Christian and lay associations. Here are her thoughts on the occasion of…
The “Visitation” of Our Lady in the refugee settlements
It was a rare occasion in our refugee settlements. Far away from the town, somehow isolated, the refugees of Maaji and Agojo – settlements in the North of Uganda, have rarely seen such great events and opportunities to gather and pray. Ten days before its arrival in Maaji, the people of the settlements were informed that the image of Our Lady of Kibeho was on its way. The time to prepare for her arrival was very short and all the leaders of the Catholic chapels that we, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa and the Missionaries of Africa, are in charge of, rolled up their sleeves to start the preparations. Drawing up the budget, collecting food, cleaning the houses to receive those who would accompany the statue of Our Lady, clearing the ground around the chapel that would be the main venue for the welcome, building the podium,…
Our Community Experience in Gumo
Postulants NIYOMWUNGERE Evelyne, TEBABO Philogène and AFUA Mediator Dear sisters, we are happy to share with you our community experience and our learning of the English language for two months. First of all, we are very grateful for the welcome of our sisters who allowed us to spend our time in Gumo in a good atmosphere. We were touched by their availability, their attention and their encouragement in our learning of the language. When we arrived, the sisters showed us the house and the community program. This put us at ease and we felt at home by sharing the community tasks. What struck us during the lessons was the fact that our teacher did not understand French. We did not understand each other’s English either. The teacher did his best so that we could understand him. We do not forget the help of our sisters who encouraged us…