Journeying together in mission and transformation
From our sister Maamalifar M. Poreku, MSOLA “Come, let us set out together on this journey of faith and transformation.” “Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord… that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths.” (Is 2:3) Walking Together in Faith and Mission Rooted in the spirit of synodality and the missionary charism of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (MSOLA), this theme is an invitation to embrace a shared journey of renewal. It encourages each of us to rediscover our apostolic life as a space where personal conversion and communal transformation meet. Through our diverse apostolates, we listen deeply—to one another, to the cries of the world, and to the gentle voice of the Spirit. Together, we discern how Christ continues to transform us for mission. Near or far, all are invited to walk…
The Jubilee of the Poor
The Jubilee of the Poor will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2025, which is also the ninth World Day of the Poor that is celebrated every year. The Jubilee of the Poor is not only an opportunity to recommit to the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable, but also an invitation to take one step further into the challenge of living in true solidarity with the poor, something Pope Francis explains means combatting the structural causes of poverty, inequality, the lack of work, land, and housing, the denial of social and labor rights. It means confronting the destructive effects of the empire of money…Solidarity, understood in its most profound meaning, is a way of making history” (Fratelli Tutti no. 116) Inspirational Gospel “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has…
Cardinal Lavigerie and Pope Francis: Apostles of Justice and Love
by Sr. Fides Mbabarempore As we celebrate the Jubilee of Justice in the Church, it is striking to recognize how Cardinal Charles Lavigerie, founder of the Missionaries of Africa, and Pope Francis share deep apostolic traits. Though separated by centuries, both embody a prophetic response to the needs of their times. Their witness offers us a legacy of justice, compassion, and hope. I would like to highlight two key points that especially resonate today: Closeness to the Poor and the Marginalized Cardinal Lavigerie stood courageously against slavery in Africa. His mission in Algeria opened doors to other regions of the continent, where he proclaimed the Good News with a conviction that Africans, once evangelized, would themselves become apostles. His faith and hope were remarkable, especially in a time when Africans were often dismissed as “uncivilized” and exploited without hesitation. For Lavigerie, the essential truth was the…
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,…
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,…
Empathy in Action: Lessons from the World Day of the Poor
Sr. Valérie Kaboré on mission in Algeria “While part of the world is condemned to live in the depths of history, while inequalities increase and the economy punishes the weakest, while society is dedicated to the idolatry of money and consumption, the poor and the marginalized often have no choice but to continue to wait (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, n. 54). … It is us whom his grace makes shine; it is our life, imbued with compassion and charity, which must become a sign of the Lord’s presence, always close to the suffering of the poor, to soothe their wounds and transform their destiny.” Link to the PDF https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2024/documents/20241117-omelia-giornatamondiale-poveri.html I feel very inspired by this quotation from Pope Francis. He recalled these words recently, on 17 November, during the World Day of the Poor. Several events and celebrations that we have experienced in these days can be linked…
A cultural evening with the seminarians of Koumi
Cyarisima Divine, novice in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, shares her experience The Koumi Seminary organized a cultural evening on 03/09/2024 with the theme “Patriotic commitment for peace”. No doubt, due to the fact that the evening was organized by the seminarians, the majority of consecrated people were present. The bishop of Bobo-Dioulasso was also there. The evening was marked by cultural diversity across the different ethnic groups of Burkina Faso. The seminarians presented a poem about peace which said that it is possible as long as we believe in it. We can learn this from nature filled with various species capable of experiencing unity and peace, like ants and bees. They also presented a drama about solidarity. The evening closed with the message from Bishop Paul Ouédraogo who said : The weapon of victory is solidarity, because true peace begins with our conversion at the level of our families, societies…
There is desert and desert!
From our sister Clementine Mukampabuka There is the desert I visited for the first time in 2004 in Ghardaïa and El Golea and where I sang the hymn of creation; where I met Blessed Charles de Foucauld; where I met Jesus of Bethlehem, Nazareth and Galilee through the presence of our sisters and brothers on mission there! There is another desert, the one where I meet my brothers and sisters detained in the different places of incarceration here in Algeria. They are truly in a desert which deprives them of certain freedoms including that of going where they want, of seeing who they want. In this desert, the angels who feed them are the authorities of the penitentiary establishments and we who share the Word of God with them. We print it and leave it with them as an appointment for the week. These moments of prayer in prison…
Journey towards Integral Ecology
Sr Lucy in her garden Our older sisters in Germany show us the way towards Integral Ecology The Cologne-Klettenberg community continues to take small steps in our journey towards integral ecology: wasting neither water nor energy, for example, using the elevator with several people whenever possible, avoiding plastic waste, choosing meat-free menus, planting flowers that are useful for bees, collecting cigarette butts to protect the groundwater etc. As Jesus taught us, we believe in the power of small things. Although almost all of us are in our 80s and 90s, we can still take a few steps in the congregation’s journey towards Integral Ecology. Behind our house lies a small garden where we admire flowers and fruit trees all year round. Those of us with balconies create our own tiny gardens and we give preference to flowers that attract bees and other insects. Plates filled with water or seeds…
JPIC in daily life at the Delwende Centre
From our sister Vickness N. Muleya, community of St. Julien, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso Social exclusion due to allegations of witchcraft is violence against women, and the phenomenon is still rife, especially on the Mossi plateau. More than five hundred women are dispersed across the Mossi Plateau in shelters or precarious homes in insecure areas, because they are accused of being “soul eaters”. The women arrive stripped of all their possessions and dignity, beaten, wounded, their homes burnt down, and forbidden to see their children and families. Many die on the road, while others attempt suicide. These are common occurrences, and many victims die tragically without any help. In general, it’s the elderly, and particularly women, who are the first to take the blame when death or other dramatic events occur in a family. At present at the Centre Delwende, we have 178 residents, including 7 men; 70%…