The YES of Jesus, the YES of Lavigerie… my YES
Sr. Maite Oiartzun Nshimirimana, missionary of Our Lady of Africa sent to Burundi, shares the joy of her Jubilee of 25 years of missionary life In this year of grace and blessing, when we are celebrating in the Church the Jubilee of 2025 years since the birth of Jesus, 200 years since the birth of our Founder Lavigerie, and we are also celebrating my Jubilee of 25 years of missionary life, for me it is essential to root myself and put my trust in the YES of Jesus, the YES of Mary, the YES of Lavigerie and of our MSOLA sisters, and the YES of my parents, and from generation to generation all these yeses have given me a lot of courage. I felt the strength of the Holy Spirit to continue to commit myself with Faith and renew my YES to Christ forever, and all this…
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…
Enjoying life to the full in Belgium
Highlights of our sisters’ life in Belgium The Olympic Games As you know, this summer (2024), the Olympic Games were held in Paris. What a pleasure to see all these athletes giving their all after months and months of training. But what you may not know is that in Eureka (the house where our sisters live), there was also an event taking place! The Tour d’Eureka 2024 by bike! And be proud, because the yellow jersey was won by Sister Alice Geron! While Sister Marie-Louise Mortiaux excelled in endurance and won the medal for best endurance! Well done to them both! Jubilees 2024: 65 years of vows by Greta, Madeleine and Bob On 15 August 2024, we were delighted to celebrate Madeleine Dierckx and Greta Van Audenhove’s 65th anniversary of their vows. Father Bob Dierckx was also celebrating his jubilee, 65 years as a priest, so we…
Missionary Month 2024
We start the Missionary Month 2024 with a prayer The most beautiful wedding between Earth and Heaven, is offered to us through Jesus. The Father invites everyone: “Come to the banquet!” Despite any indifference or refusal, let us go out tirelessly, let us reach out to people, to those who are far and distant: “Everyone is invited to the banquet!” Where we find joy and justice, sharing and fraternity. “Come to the most desired banquet!” Unconditional love calls us to be in communion with Him and with each other. Fr. Yoland Ouellet, OMI, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies Francophone Canada Inspired by Pope Francis’ Message for World Mission Day 2024
One invited… many came…
Sr. Margret (left) with the journalist who made the interview Shared by Sr. Margret Tovar, Trier, Germany The birthday of my cousin was celebrated in a splendid setting near Frankfurt / Main on May 1st, 2024. In the invitation he had requested that instead of gifts people could make donations for the missionary work of the White Sisters. At the reception in the park of the golf club, I had a conversation with a journalist who wanted to find out more about our community and our different activities in Africa. We agreed to meet after lunch to discuss this. But then another opportunity presented itself. My cousin gave a speech during lunch in which, among other things, he briefly mentioned our African mission and asked me to say something about it. I spontaneously thought of the journalist among the guests who wanted to know more about the…
Message for the care of Creation
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CARE OF CREATION 1st September 2024 Hope and Act with Creation Dear Brothers and Sisters! “Hope and Act with Creation” is the theme of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, to be held on 1 September 2024. The theme is drawn from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans (8:19-25), where the Apostle explains what it means for us to live according to the Spirit and focuses on the sure hope of salvation that is born of faith, namely, newness of life in Christ. 1. Let us begin with a question, one perhaps without an immediately obvious answer. If we are truly believers, how did we come to have faith? It is not simply because we believe in something transcendent, beyond the power of reason, the unattainable mystery of a distant and…
A French Guide to St. Louis in Carthage
From our sister Cécile Dilé In the spring of 2024, I had the pleasure of making my small contribution to the training of the cultural mediators who give tours of the former basilica of Carthage. Their many questions inspired me to write this booklet. The texts are short, with anecdotes, personal accounts and lots of photos. This booklet has been written so that visitors who have it in their hands can enjoy the aesthetic and/or spiritual experience to which this great cultural site invites us. The booklet can be ordered through email to the author at sblamarsa@gmail.com Here you can download the cover and index of the booklet
Jubilee Celebration in Brussels
From our Sister Monique Bonami What a joy it was on Saturday August 19 to gather around the 3 jubilarians of the year: Sr Irma Declerq: 75 years of religious life, Sr Patricia Massart: 65 and Sr Marie-Paule Schiltz: 50. Early in the morning, our coordinator Claire and her husband Kim went to pick up Irma in Oostkamp (Bruges). Patricia came from Eureka (Evere) and Marie-Paule is on site: Evere St Joseph where we have 4 sites. An elevator breakdown gave us the opportunity to go not to the chapel, but to the dining room of the Sisters of the 3rd floor, which was well decorated for the occasion, and it was more familiar! Father Luc de l’Arbre, Miss. d’Afrique, celebrated the Eucharist, which began with the beautiful hymn “Jubilez, criez de joie”. We continued alternating between French and Flemish, ending with a song in Alur, a language of…