February 20, the World Day for Social Justice
February 20 is World Day for Social Justice. For the two Institutes founded by Cardinal Lavigerie, it is the Annual Day of prayer and reflection on modern slavery. The theme for 2016 is: “Shine the light on modern slavery.” How to learn about modern slavery? • Find in your city or country organizations working against modern slavery and against human trafficking and get in touch with them to see how you can work together to eradicate modern slavery. There are networks of religious men and women working against human trafficking in 70 countries, linked with Talitha Kum. Do you know those in your country? Could you collaborate with them? • Learn clues to help you identify potential victims of trafficking and see what can be done. • Discover your slavery footprint and check the goods produced by child labor or forced or compulsory labor. • Encourage companies to take…
Saint Bakhita, Patroness of kidnapped persons and victims of trafficking
Josephine was born in 1869 in South Sudan. She lived with her parents, 3 brothers and 4 sisters in Olgossa, a small village in Darfur, close to Mont Agilerei. The first suffering felt by Josephine was when those she called ” négriers” in reality members of Arab tribes who were slave traders, abducted her elder sister: “I still remember, she said in 1910, how Mama cried, and how we too cried. “ One day, between 1876 and 1877 she suffered the same fate as her sister; she was kidnapped and carried far away. “I was only thinking of my family; I called out to Papa and Mama, with anguish in my heart impossible to describe. But no-one was listening to me. “ Sold into slavery several times in the markets of El Obeid and Khartoum, she was treated brutally by her captors.…
Interculturality, a prophetic sign
In following Christ, interculturality is possible, even if for the world it is folly. In our MSOLA family – Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa- and in the individualistic, materialistic and selfish world of today, we find that interculturality is a prophetic sign. From different countries of the world and despite our differences, we share the same life. It is really a testimony. It happens for example that two sisters come from countries at war with each other but through Christ who brings us together, we live in communion and peace. What could be more prophetic? Around us people are surprised to see a European and an African living together and even more, being called “sisters.” People ask us “Where did you meet and how is it that you are sisters? It is unbelievable!” “Yes, it’s amazing, but true!” In following Christ,…
Slavery, Young women going to Europe
In “hot neighborhoods” of major European cities where prostitution is practiced, we meet very young Nigerian women, whose number is constantly increasing. Most come from Edo State in southern Nigeria. Three factors contribute to these young women being drawn into the networks of human trafficking: their desire to go to Europe to work and help their families, lack of economic means to undertake this journey and the difficulty to enter the fortress that Europe has become. Without ever meaning to, two or three days after their arrival they are found in the poorest places of prostitution: the woods, parks, along roads or in some streets of ill repute… Through meeting these young women and the persons accompanying them, I learned how they came and what makes it so difficult for them to get out of this modern slavery of which they are the victims. They sacrifice…
Afrika – Quebec
AFRIKA-QUEBEC intercultural meeting Expo: September 26 to October 16, 2015 Africa Quebec AFRIKA-QUEBEC: the story of a long-lasting friendship Women and men of Quebec, in Africa: In 1901, the Missionaries of Africa (known as the White Fathers), and in 1903, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (known as the White Sisters), opened their first house in Quebec City, rue des Remparts. Very soon, some young women and men of Quebec chose the missionary life and left Quebec to go to Africa. A large number have spent their whole life there, others several years. Today, we still see them serving in several African countries. Those who are back in Canada have a message for us: «In Africa, we have been warmly welcomed. We have learned the local language, the history of the country; we even danced to the rhythm of the drum. We were introduced…
The learning method of tunisian language
The learning method of tunisian language is intended to beginner level. It is written both in arabic and transcript for a francophone and anglophone people, what is quite unique. This method was written by Sister Madeleine Prim. This method is the product of a long story. After some lessons given by The White Fathers at IBLA ( Institut des Belles Lettres Arabes) , the White Sisters have organized a first draft copy of lessons more intensive in 1937. Since 1957, the language center works in its current form, under the name of ” Maison d’Etudes” , based in Monfleury / Tunis and linked to a library intended to highschooler. Initially intended to the White Sister who was studying literal arabic and arabic dialect, with an formation on islamology, the center has opened gradually towards another public living and working in Tunis. The first student…
Dear Mr. /Mrs….
MIGRANTS : Faced with this situation the Sisters of Our Lady of Africa and the Missionaries of Africa sent a letter to political leaders of the European Union and European countries, asking them to address the causes of migration and proposing a change in the economic policy. In May and June, many migrant trying to get into Europe lost their lives crossing the Mediterranean. Despite numerous protests, statements and letters from associations, individuals and some politicians, the European Union, and most European governments and politicians continued to strengthen the closure of their borders to prevent economic migrants and political refugees from entering in Europe. Dear Mr. /Mrs…. We need to transform our economic system: We appeal to you o To promote in your own [party, government, parliament…] a reflection on the root causes of migration and a discussion on the required transformation of our economic system. o Initiate and…
O Migrant, “rest here” with us…
My brother, My sister, You left everything, your home, your family, your friends, your country…. You left, set out,.. arriving in an unknown country, With people who speak another language, Who have different customs, a different religion than yours…. How many obstacles encountered, not counting all those met on the way… in Sinai, Turkey, Libya, on the seas…. and now in the country where you seek a welcome. In addition, without an apparent future, With tomorrow’s insecurity, In search of the papers to regularize your situation, Lacking the necessary for your vital needs. Being unable to speak, to really express yourself….. Unable to comprehend all these papers, not knowing what they mean, What to do …… O my brother, O my sister in humanity, I would like to be able to say to you… “rest here” with us,…. do not worry. I hope that…
Bukavu, RCD session “The joy of the Gospel”
Begun on July 13th and finished on the 17th, our session gathered 27 students of the third year in Secondary School, for the State diploma. “The Joy of the Gospel” was visible on the faces of the young people and the sisters. This theme of the encyclical of Pope Francis was presented the first day of our session. The next days it was Vocation in the Bible and our Charism. A morning of spiritual recollection and individual accompaniment preceded the Eucharist of “sending” and the festive evening. The three sisters of our community of Kadutu : Christine Tubiangalie, Christine Bahati Safi and Bouda Julienne were involved in the preparations and in the activities of the session. Some points were highlighted by the participants in their evaluation: They especially emphasized our joy, expressed by the testimonies of our apostolic commitments, our sisterhood / brotherhood and our…
The disastrous effects of the Mining Industry in Africa
Africa is rich in reserves of minerals. It is a leading producer of gold and coltan (used in electronic devices) and other minerals.