A world to be transformed by love and justice
From our Sr. Xaverine Mukatabaza, Malindi community, Kenya Mother Marie Salome said Little things are a constant witness to our love of God. Let us do them faithfully, fervently and generously.” (N.M. N° 55) Personally, I believe in little things as a witness of our love of God. Through my experiences of training young women at the skills training workshop, I know that love is shared there with these women. The skills gained, the language used and the collaboration with them, makes them more independent and confident as they strive to build a better future for themselves and their children. They not only learn how to knit sweaters and sewing in general but also moral and Christian values. These values have helped both of us to come to the same understanding of collaborating and supporting each other. I also learn from them as they share their experiences…
Celebrate the Pentecost
What is Pentecost? Pentecost 2026 falls on Sunday, May 24. In the Catholic Church, Pentecost is one of the great solemnities of the liturgical year and marks the close of the Easter season. The word Pentecost comes from the Greek pentekostē, meaning “fiftieth day” as it is celebrated 50 days after Easter. It’s often called the “Birthday of the Church” because it marks the start of the Church’s mission, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the Virgin Mary fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pentecost is important because it reveals the Holy Spirit’s mission in the life of the Church. Jesus did not leave his disciples to carry out the gospel by their own strength. He sent the Holy Spirit to guide, sanctify, strengthen, and unite them. The first Pentecost The event is described in Acts 2. The Apostles, along with Mary…
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…
Mission in Mauritania: teaching French and sowing hope in Teichott
From our sister Mia Dombrecht, MSOLA in Mauritania A Call to the Heart of Mauritania I love looking at the map of Mauritania, an Islamic Republic, this vast country that welcomes us between the desert and the ocean. On this map, the small religious communities present in Nouakchott and in the interior of the country seem so tiny… I often ask myself: How can we reach these distant Muslim families, who sometimes do not even know that other religions exist, and help them taste the joy of the Kingdom of God already present among us? Teichott, a Village Between Sea and Desert Teichott is a small traditional fishing village, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mauritanian desert. It is one of nine Imraguen villages located along the coast between Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. This area is part of the Banc d’Arguin National Park, a UNESCO…
Mental well-being: fostering a joyful and healthy religious life
By Sr. Linah Siabana, Ukusijoni community, Uganda Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, fundamentally influencing how we think, feel, and act. It plays a crucial role in our ability to handle stress, build and maintain relationships, and make well-informed choices. For the sisters in the MSOLA family, maintaining robust mental health is vital not only for our personal well-being but also for effectively supporting the spiritual mission we undertake and fulfilling our responsibilities within the community. A healthy mind not only fosters compassion and empathy but also improves our ability to connect more deeply with those we serve, enriching the overall religious experience for both the sisters and the society. Neglecting mental health, on the other hand, can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression, and can significantly impair an individual’s ability to fulfill their religious obligations and engage meaningfully with others around them.…
Pilgrims of Hope, journeying in Faith in Malawi
By Sr. Georgette Ouedraogo, Lilongwe community, Malawi In this jubilee year, as pilgrims of hope, the Church of Malawi has demonstrated his commitment to bring hope to the Christians and guide them to receive and share hope with others. To realize this, a series of congresses at national level are taking place in the Church. The Children’s Congress Children are bearers of hope and children are givers of hope to the church, to the nation and to the whole world. The Church in Malawi has understood that and on this journey of hope no one is left out. A National Children`s Congress was organized, the first one in history, and indeed it took place in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe (at Don Bosco Parish) from the 30th July to 04th of August. The congress was honored by a resident from the Islamic community who, pleased that children…
“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…
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,…
The mission of being a student
From our Sister Eliane NZOYISABA, Bunamwaya, Uganda “Be all things to all people.” Inspired by this aspect of our spirituality, I want to share my experience of living the mission through studies and how it influenced the relationships with my classmates. Since February 2024, I am working toward a Certificate in Fashion Design at the Uganda Catholic Management and Training Institute in Rubaga, Uganda. Our class initially comprised twelve students, but unfortunately, two had to leave due to financial constraints. My classmates are young, unmarried girls, while other classes include a mix of boys, men, young women, and married ladies. The institute also welcomes religious sisters, easily recognized by their distinctive uniforms. As MSOLA, I live the “all to all” in my way of being and collaboration with the others in our studies. Our Constitutions (n.13) remind us that: “Wherever we are, our mission is ONE. Because we…
Being close to teenagers in Deli
On the occasion of the Jubilee of Teenagers, Sr. Nathalie Wendata Sedogo shares the work we do with young girls interested in our congregations. In our Missionary Vocation Animation, we are always in contact with teenagers. We organize meetings to share information and in Deli we have a group of young girls who meet regularly to discern their spiritual journey. We are delighted to have established once a month, a visit to the family of each young member of the vocation group. Indeed, every 4th Sunday of the month, all the members of the vocation group spend time with the family of each young person just after mass. Each person brings a dish so that we can have a community meal. We started with our MSOLA community. All the sisters were mobilized for the reception and animation. The young people asked us questions and focused on the…