XII International day against human trafficking
The International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking takes place every year on February 8th, the day in which we celebrate the liturgical memory of St. Bakhita, the Sudanese nun who as a child had the dramatic experience of being kidnapped and enslaved and became the universal symbol of the Church’s commitment against trafficking. It is promoted by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and the Union of Superiors General (USG). The coordination of the network of partners and adherents is entrusted to Talitha Kum, the international network founded by the UISG and committed against trafficking in persons. We are committed to the work of UISG and Talitha Kum and we share with you some material for preparation and reflection All the material are from this website https://preghieracontrotratta.org/ which is in five languages. Peace and dignity are inseparable. In the words of Emily Greene Balch, Nobel prize for…
Sunday of the Word of God
The word of the Lord reaches the heart not as a promise of something but as a promise of someone We share with you the booklet of the Pope’s Prayer Intentions on the occasion of the Sunday of the Word of God. Here is the link to download the booklet of Prayer Intention 2026 LITURGICAL AND PASTORAL HANDBOOK – SEVENTH SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELLS AMONG YOU (Col 3:16) Here is the link to download the guide Sussidio DPD 26
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…
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…
The transformation of yesterday and today
In time of transformation we look to our history to inspire us and motivate us. Here we share the story of M. Maria Mechtildis, our Superior General from 1959 to 1969, who steered our congregation through the transformations following the independence of many African states and the Second Vatican Council. Born Hildegard Balmerth on 15th February 1916 in Erbach (Germany) she grew in war and hardship in a family of great faith and courage. At the age of eighteen, in 1934, she entered the postulate in Trier. She was active and very energetic, ready to take on anything in order to be of service. On 1st May 1935 she received the white habit of the Congregation in the novitiate of Trier with the name Sr. Maria Mechtildis. The novice mistress, M. Madeleine de la Croix passed on her own love for the mission, with the apostolic spirit she had…
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…