A year with Cardinal Lavigerie in Kenya
Interview à Radio Maria de Nairobi avec Sr Christine Bahati Safi, le père Innocent Maganya M.Afr. et monsieur Frank du groupe Lavigerie du Kenya Sr. Xaverine Mukansinga, Nairobi, Kenya “Ending human trafficking is a mission that requires collaboration,” This phrase was reiterated by speakers at an awareness-raising event on human trafficking. It was the theme chosen for the occasion reflecting the spirit of our founder. It helped to raise awareness, his impact on the Church, and his commitment to the world of his time. This event was organized by the Missionaries of Africa, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, and the Lavigerie Family in Kenya. It was held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, South B, Archdiocese of Nairobi, on March 15, 2025. In the afternoon, those present were made aware of the reality of human trafficking. This event was highlighted by the presence of…
Jubilee of Consacrated Life in Arua, Uganda
By Sr. Magdalena Orczykowska, Ukusijoni community, Uganda On 2 February, the Diocese of Arua was filled with joy as we celebrated the Jubilee of Consecrated Life. The celebration took place in the context of the Jubilee Year we are celebrating in the whole Church throughout the world under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”. This special occasion brought together many religious from different congregations, as well as the lay faithful who pray in the Cathedral parish, underlining the living tapestry of faith that enriches our Diocese. The main celebration was preceded by a day of reflection led by the Episcopal Vicar for Religious in the Diocese of Arua. He led us in a reflection on the meaning of the Jubilee and this year’s theme, its impact on our lives and the importance of reconciliation. The highlight of the gathering was the Mass presided over by our Bishop, who…
Closing of the Jubilee of 125 years of Evangelisation in Burkina Faso
A report from our communities in Burkina Faso The festivities started in 2023 found us finally on February 16, 2025, at the Shrine of Notre Dame de Yagma. The Eucharistic celebration was presided by Pope Francis’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The theme was “The Church, Family of God in Burkina Faso: 125 Years of Evangelization, Assessment of Pastoral Options, and Prospects for a New Beginning.” The faithful came from all over the country, as well as delegations from other countries. Archbishop Jean-Paul Vesco of Algiers, created cardinal a few months ago, came with a 13-member delegation. A Missionary of Africa, Father Guy Sawadogo, a young M. Afr in training, a sister of the Immaculate Conception from Ouagadougou, and another sister of the Annunciation from Bobo-Dioulasso were part of the convoy. “A great field to harvest, a vineyard to gather, God now calls for his harvest! A…
Remembering Pope Francis
In these days of mourning for the Church and the world we want to remember Pope Francis in the meeting he granted to our congregations, Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa and Missionaries of Africa. This meeting took place in the Vatican on 8 February 2019 on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of our foundation. SOME EXTRACTS OF THE POPE’S SPEECH: Dear brothers and sisters, It is with great joy that I welcome you as part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Society of Missionaries of Africa and the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa. In thanking your Superiors General for the words they have addressed to me, I wish to express to you my cordial greetings and my spiritual closeness, as well as through you to all the members of your Institutes, present in Africa…
Experience of being Mission
Sr. Sylviane Rouamba, Dar es salaam community, Tanzania St. Charles Lwanga Parish and its pastoral team offer different activities to the people; among others those of the Salome Learning Centre. As our founder Cardinal Charles Lavigerie used to say: Be apostles, be nothing but apostles or, at least be nothing else except with this in view’’. This was his deepest wish for his missionaries. Dear brothers and sisters, it is with joy that I am sharing about two points: Being an apostle, being mission, and also, my mission in Dar es Salaam. Who is an apostle? An apostle is someone who is on pilgrimage or someone who is on a journey looking for holiness, a journey looking for God through people, a journey of imitating Christ and doing his mission. What is the meaning of mission? A mission is a service or a call we have…
Ghana jubilee celebration for consecrated people
Shared by Kwatemba Agripina, Novice On Christmas Eve Tuesday, December 24th 2024, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, marking the official launch of the Jubilee year 2025, a historic event that takes place every 25 years in the Catholic Church. This year’s theme being: “Pilgrims of Hope,” The Pope invited all bishops to launch this year of Jubilee in their various dioceses. Here in Ghana consecrated men and women, from all the Arch/Dioceses and Vicariate of Ghana, gathered in Sunyani, Bono Region, to celebrate the Jubilee year 2025 under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope, a time to renew the face of the earth as consecrated persons.” From 30th January to 2nd February 2025, with more than 500 consecrated men and women from 80 different congregations, it was a time of prayer, listening to the Spirit and to one another and discerning the…
If the Lord does not build the house…
The sisters in the Nouakchott Community, Mauritania, share with us the Blessing of the Medina 3 Complex (The apartments, the Paul VI center, the sisters’ house and the magnificent chapel) Ps 127:1 “If the Lord does not build the house, the builders have toiled for nothing.” It is with great emotion and gratitude that we experienced the blessing mass of the Medina 3 complex and the installation of the tabernacle in our chapel. A project prepared and supported for many years by Bishop Martin Happe, bishop emeritus of our diocese. How many hours of insomnia are hidden behind this audacious project! Where can we find the funds necessary for its realization? It was surely a great emergency: the parish halls of Paul VI were dilapidated and too narrow, the house of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition dated from the 1970s and needed to…
Intercommunity meeting in Algeria
Sr. Bernadette Djekoye for the community On December 26, our sisters from the communities of Oran and Algiers courageously set off for Ghardaïa where we were impatiently waiting for them. We welcomed them with great joy. It had been so long since almost all of us had had the opportunity to meet. On the morning of the 27th, we celebrated the Eucharist in our community, presided over by one of our brothers of the Missionaries of Africa. After a good breakfast, we set off for Sebseb where we were able to live our time of sharing about our mission as MSOLA in the M’Zab Valley, in Ghardaïa. Along the way, we discovered this environment until our destination. We had a very warm welcome in this desert place, with beautiful tents. We were even able to have a room to ourselves all day. It was at this time…
Our Lady of the Assumption in Santa Cruz
Sr. Clementine Mukampabuka at Santa Cruz in Oran, Algeria From Sr Clementine Mukampabuka in Oran, Algeria In the parish of Sainte Marie of the Cathedral of Oran, the approach of August 15 was characterized by the invitation to celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, our Mother, in Santa Cruz under the esplanade of Living Together in Peace. There is the chapel of the Marian sanctuary of Our Lady of Salvation. At the very beginning of August, there was a call to register as a participant for carpooling in order to be able to go there. Those who have a car were asked to indicate how many places they offered. We think it is good to point out that in August the Pierre Claverie Center (diocesan center) is closed. All activities stop except for masses on Friday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m. Most of the permanent…
Young People Need Our Guidance
From Sr Xaverine Mukatabaza, Malindi, Kenya Allow me to begin with the words of our superior general, Sr. Angela Kapitingana during the official opening of the new community in Morocco. She said, “We may be few in number, but history has shown us time and again that even a small group, united by a common purpose can produce a profound witness.” She continued: “Let us carry out this mission with joy and determination, knowing that our strength lies in our unity and our faith. We are mission and our presence here today is a witness to the transforming love of the Risen Lord who calls us to journey together as we expand our tent.” When I read this article that our sisters in Morocco shared, it reminded me of our reality in Malindi, Kenya, a place of primary evangelization. Indeed, our presence in Malindi as well, is a…