A place for encounters and dialogue
by Tanja Jung-Klein Located in the heart of Karlsruhe, in Germany, is the Haus (house) Lavigerie, run by our sisters Sr. Vankalck Chantal and Sr. Weber Kordula together with the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers). It is a place where people of different cultures, religions, and life stories come together to talk and experience community. At Haus Lavigerie, the focus is on encounters, mutual respect, and intercultural and interreligious dialogue. People from diverse backgrounds find an open space here where they feel welcome and can learn from one another. A particular focus is the support and assistance of refugees and migrants. This includes language support, integration assistance, personal consultations, and networking with church and social service organizations. Many people gain guidance, encouragement, and new perspectives through this support. Together with the White Fathers, the sisters are also involved in raising awareness about issues such as displacement, migration,…
Pride and solidarity in Morocco
The “Couture – Creation” workshop is an initiative launched by our sisters, Rehema Kimesera Toiwoki and Maria Carmen Ocon Moreno, in Ouarzazate, Morocco. During Cardinal Cristobal Lopez Romero’s visit in March 2026, the women spoke of the “transformation” experienced through this workshop. We, the women of this workshop, wish to express our deep gratitude to the Church, as well as to our dear sisters Rehema and Maria, who have walked alongside us throughout this beautiful adventure. It is with great emotion and sincerity that we take this moment to express what lies deep within our hearts. Since our arrival at the workshop, we have shared many wonderful moments together. We are fortunate to work with you, with the sisters, and even with our guests, all united in a warm and caring atmosphere, just like a true family. This unique environment has made every day precious and unforgettable. …
The birth of a congregation
Since the beginning of Christianity people have formed communities to live and pray together, to follow in Jesus Christ steps. Faithful communities organised themselves in orders and congregations to promote the good news and to respond to a particular charism (from the Greek word charis, meaning “grace” or “free gift”) that, as the Holy Spirit, inspired the founder with the identity and mission of the congregation. Some orders may last for centuries, some disappear, others are created. The perennial renewal of the Holy Spirit in each generation asks all of us to confront the challenges of our times with an open heart and to respond with bravery and compassion. The 19th century (the years 1800) were very uncertain and insecure, in Europe and abroad, with revolutions and social upheaval and in those times many Christians were inspired to create communities to assist the victims of war, famine and…
Celebrating in the periphery in Rwanda
From our Sr. Marie Kanyoni, in the community of Butare, in Rwanda Our community wanted to conclude the bicentennial of Cardinal Lavigerie with the sister congregations, the Benebikira and the Abizeramaria from our parish; and also with our close neighbors from the cathedral as well as our collaborators, the former students of MSOLA. Then, one of us had the idea of inviting the poor from the peripherie with whom we work in our apostolates, that is, the four groups from three different villages and the Notre Dame d’Afrique Center (sewing center for young women). With this gesture, we find ourselves fully in line with the apostolic exhortation of Pope Leo XIV: From the beginning, Scripture manifests with such intensity God’s love through the protection of the weak and the less fortunate, that one could speak of a kind of ‘soft spot’ of God towards them. The poor have…
Loving the poor and the reality of life
Nairobi is a city of contrasts A touching testimony from Sr. Marietha Joakim, Nairobi, Kenya When I reflect on my experience of helping the poor, I do not begin with theories or Church documents. I begin with the streets of Nairobi, with the people I meet every day with faces that are easy to pass by, yet difficult to forget. Nairobi is a city of contrasts. Tall buildings, busy roads, and signs of development exist side by side with deep poverty. In recent times, the number of homeless people and beggars has visibly increased. At every traffic stop, outside supermarkets, along major roads, and near churches and mosques there are people asking for help. Some are elderly, some are children, many are young adults who should be in the prime of their strength but have nowhere to go. So far, my personal experience of helping the poor…
The Hidden Legacy of Missionary Sisters in Natural Sciences
Sr Gisela Schreyer presents the Scientific Approach of Missionary Sisters: A Forgotten Treasure When Mission Met Scientific Observation Cardinal Charles Lavigerie strongly encouraged his missionaries — Fathers, Brothers, and Sisters — to engage deeply with the countries they were sent to: learning the language, understanding the culture, and documenting anything of interest, including scientific observations. Although the Sisters, unlike the Fathers, did not receive specialized training, some took a great interest in these fields and began to document what they learned from local communities. A Precious Discovery in the Archives Among these documents are preserved collections of medicinal plants and natural dyes, used notably in the crafting of traditional carpets. These rare materials were rediscovered by historian Mme Catherine Marin, who authored a book on Mother Marie Salomé, during one of her visits to Rome. She invited me to present these treasures during a Missionary Documentation Day in…
“Do Not Forget Women”: Pope Francis and the Role of Women in the Catholic Church
From a sharing by Sr. Carmen Sammut The heartfelt plea — “Do not forget women!” — came from the depths of my soul during a private audience with Pope Francis in January 2015. The meeting marked the 50th anniversary of PISAI (Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies) in Rome. Pope Francis had just delivered a moving speech on encounter and dialogue, highlighting the divine beauty and truth present in all religious expressions. The event had nothing to do with women as such, but coming face to face with the Pope, what came out of my heart had all to do with what I was living. The Pope grasped my hand and would not let me leave until he exclaimed:“How can I possibly forget women! The Church is female, Our Lady is too. Without the women, there is no Church.” Women Religious and Their Role in the Church Since my…
Living the Legacy of Our Pioneer Sisters in Uganda
Back: Sr Restitute, Sr Mechtilde, Sr Marie de l’Espérance – Front: Sr Joachim, Mère Ste Foy, Sr Dorothée By Sr. Alice Bangnidong – Bunamwaya Community, Kampala Honouring Our Missionary Roots Warm greetings from Bunamwaya-Kampala, Uganda! It is with deep joy and gratitude that we share the powerful echoes of the missionary journey of our pioneer Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa in Uganda. As we reflect on their legacy, we give thanks for the missionary presence of our Congregation in the Church of Uganda—a presence that has continued to bear fruit through the generations. Though our brothers, the Missionaries of Africa, played a foundational role, today we focus on the lasting impact of our pioneer sisters, who proclaimed the Gospel with courage, compassion, and dedication. A Call to Missionary Identity “I am a Missionary Sister of Our Lady of Africa: wise, dynamic, and dedicated to…
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…
The impact of who we are and what we do
“Our personal encounter with the Risen Lord empowers us to be sent and to live as witnesses.” (Capitular Acts 2023, page 24) Shared by Sr. Redempta Kabahweza, Malindi Community Kenya Malindi Community celebrates 10 years of existence this year 2025. Through these years, we have witnessed God at work in us and around us. Living at the Pope Francis Rescue Center with children who have been sexually abused has been a challenge to us and sometimes we feel helpless and overpowered by the situation. However, just being present to the suffering, even sometimes in silence, means a lot and changes situations. For example, we have had a number of cases where the girls are sexually abused by their own fathers and end up with child. Such girls go through a lot of emotional pain which sometimes leads them to have unpleasant behaviors, for example, rudeness, refusing to eat,…