A world to be transformed by love and justice
From our Sr. Xaverine Mukatabaza, Malindi community, Kenya Mother Marie Salome said Little things are a constant witness to our love of God. Let us do them faithfully, fervently and generously.” (N.M. N° 55) Personally, I believe in little things as a witness of our love of God. Through my experiences of training young women at the skills training workshop, I know that love is shared there with these women. The skills gained, the language used and the collaboration with them, makes them more independent and confident as they strive to build a better future for themselves and their children. They not only learn how to knit sweaters and sewing in general but also moral and Christian values. These values have helped both of us to come to the same understanding of collaborating and supporting each other. I also learn from them as they share their experiences…
The vocation of being approachable
Sr. Zawadi Barungu with a young mother From Sr. Zawadi Barungu, in Burkina Faso As I began writing this article, someone rang our doorbell. I dropped everything and went to open the door. It was a veiled woman, visibly elderly, looking for a teacher who works at a center near our house. I went with her to show her the entrance to the weaving center. As we started, she thanked me and wished me twins: “May God give you twins”. No doubt that was the best she thought she could give me, the best she could wish me at that moment. Poor people offer us more than we think we give them. The “poor” give everything, they give themselves. Thus, we all have this potential within us because we are rich in love to give and very often poor in love because of sadness, worries, and false…
Dilexi te and Cardinal Lavigerie
A reflection from Sister Mia Dombrecht, Nouakchott Community To prepare this article, I went to the Atlantic coast to reflect and pray. Believe it or not, at the beginning of my first prayer time, a flight of five pelicans passed before my eyes in the sky…this symbol that Cardinal Lavigerie himself chose to express what became for him “his way of conceiving life, his way of living it” (Dilexi te 1), no. 120): CARITAS. Indeed, Lavigerie, having chosen this episcopal motto, made it a reality in his life choices and made “Christian love penetrate the most hidden corners of society.” (DT no. 120). As Bishop of Nancy, he had a particular concern for the poor of his diocese. “In a rectory where he was dining, he noticed that a splendid feast was being prepared… This was contrary to the diocesan regulations which stipulated that only three different…
The Story Behind the Canonization of the Uganda Martyrs
The relics are taken on procession in the celebrations of 3rd June This article was composed with information taken from our archives et from the website of the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugogo On the 3rd of June we celebrate the Ugandan martyrs, a group of Christians who were killed because of their faith between 1885 and 1887 under the orders of King Mwanga of Buganda. In particular we remember the Namugongo Holocaust, that broke out on 25th May 1886 and lasted until the 3rd of June 1886, on the feast of the ascension, where martyrs were tortured and burned. Their remains were long left unburied by the King’s orders as they were considered traitors. Six months later, three Christians, amid fears of being charged with treason, in cover of the night went to Namugongo and collected some remains. The relics were hidden by the White Fathers and…
Pope Leo XIV in Algeria as a Messenger of Peace
Algerian faithfuls This post is an extract from Vatican news Link to the article Pope Leo XIV made an Apostolic visit to Algeria on Monday April 13th. In the following interview, Fr. Vincent Kyererezi, a member of the Missionaries of Africa and Vicar General of the diocese of Laghouat-Ghardaïa, explains the importance of the visit and the role of the Church in the predominantly Muslim Algerian society. How big is the catholic community in Algeria and in the diocese of Laghouat-Ghardaïa where you serve? The Catholic community in Algeria is estimated at 8900 faithfuls. The diocese of Laghoaut-Ghardaïa where I serve as Vicar General has about 2,240 Christians, served by 14 priests, including the bishop, 19 nuns, and 5 religious brothers. We generally serve in a “Church of encounter and dialogue with Muslims” that endeavors to foster fraternity, mutual understanding and harmonious co-existence with one another. The Catholic Church has four dioceses:…
Pope Leo XIV at Notre-Dame d’Afrique
From Sr Bernadette Djekoye on mission in Algeria “But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (luke 1:43) These words of Elizabeth, expressing both humility and deep joy, resonate with what I experienced when Pope Leo XIV was welcomed to Algeria. It is with great joy that I share with you my experience of this visit to Notre-Dame d’Afrique on 13 April 2026. For several months, preparations had been intensifying, both within the Church and on the part of the Algerian government, whose commitment was admirable. Everything was organised very well. On the morning of 13 April, from a large stadium, extensive transport arrangements and an impressive security operation were put in place to take us to the basilica, situated on the heights of Algiers. This place is highly symbolic: it is both a place of prayer for Christians and…
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…
A message in time…
the sons and daughters of Cardinal Lavigerie listen with an open heart (Cathedral of Bayonne) Sr. Franceline Hien, coordinator of the JPIC-ED/MSOLA Network, feels the celebration of the bicentenary of Cardinal Charles Lavigerie (1825-2025) allowed us to revisit and reclaim his prophetic figure, dedicated to justice, peace, and human dignity. On this occasion she imagines a message from Cardinal Lavigerie to his sons and daughters. Let us listen to his message: On the day after the close of the year celebrating the 200th anniversary of my birth and my 133rd birthday in heaven, I have a very important message for you: My sons and daughters, with the celebration of my birthday, a unique opportunity arose in which you renewed your zeal and passion for the African world. I say to you once again: You are heirs to a prophetic struggle against slavery, to a fight against all…
Returning to God with an open heart
As we celebrate the Third Sunday of Lent on 8 March, the scriptural readings highlight the themes of repentance, mercy and renewal. This Sunday asks us to fix our gaze on Christ and learn to cooperate with his grace. Let us open our hearts to the Lord; he will never abandon us. For many congregations, these readings serve as a powerful reminder of God’s love and the call to return to Him. They prompt us to reflect on how we can embody these themes in our daily lives, inviting us to consider our Lenten commitments and the sacrifices we have made. Invitation to Reflection Repentance first requires that we place our faith and hope in God. Repentance is often seen as an act of returning to God, a means of restoring our relationship with the divine. The call to repentance challenges us to be humble, to…
Living Lent with a Missionary Heart
Some Practical Ways to Live Your Faith Inspired by the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa Lent is a season we often associate with sacrifice, giving something up, praying a little more, trying to be better. But what if Lent is not about giving up, but about opening up? Opening our hearts to God, to others, and to the world He loves. Inspired by the Ignatian spirituality of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa you can rediscover Lent as a time to grow roots in Christ and stretch out our hands in love. These are not only for religious sisters, they are a path for every baptized Christian. Deepening our relationship with Christ: The interior journey At the heart of MSOLA life is a personal relationship with Jesus. Mission begins in prayer. Without roots, a tree cannot grow; without prayer, our faith cannot bear…