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…
We are entering the Lent
We are entering the Lent time and each liturgical season requires a different interior attitude on the part of the believer, a disposition of faith and heart that changes according to the feasts celebrated during that period and the moment in the life of Jesus or the Saints being commemorated. There is a time for waiting and a time for fulfillment, and this statement is truer than ever in the cycles and recurrences of the liturgical year, which have been repeated for centuries and involve all Christians. First of all, we can say that the liturgical year celebrates and renews the life of Jesus throughout the course of an entire year. The heart of the liturgical year is the Paschal Triduum, because it commemorates the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. The liturgical year begins with Advent and ends with the Solemnity of Christ the King, at…
In my heart I felt a great desire – a vocation story
Sister Angela Kapitingana is Tanzanian. Sha was several years in mission in Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Kenya and DRC. For 5 years she was a formator in the novitiate in Burkina. Currently she is the Superior General in Rome, Italy We asked her about her religious vocation. Here is her story Discovering my vocation was not easy but, in my heart, I had a desire to share my faith with people who have no family, especially orphans. I wanted to show that they are important in God’s eyes. Very early I lost my mother so I wanted to help my sister who did everything so that I could study. I worked hard at school until I had the opportunity to go to university. It was a decisive moment when I felt in my heart a need to get out of myself and reach out to others. I followed by…
Feast of Christ the King : a celebration of faith and commitment
As every year, Saint Joseph Parish in Nouakchott joyfully and prayerfully celebrated the Feast of Christ the King, a major event in the life of the Christian community. This solemn celebration, which marks the end of the liturgical year, reminds all the faithful that Christ is at the center of our lives and our mission. It also invites the community to look toward the future with confidence, placing our journey under the reign of love, peace, and justice of the Lord. On the occasion of the Feast of Christ the King, each association, movement, national community, and prayer group of the parish was represented by two members. These representatives were called to make a formal commitment on behalf of their groups to the service of the Church and Saint Joseph Parish. This symbolic yet deeply meaningful gesture expressed the desire of every group to actively contribute to parish life.…
An unexpected encounter with Mary at Međugorje
Shared by Sr. Lucy Nabweteme, of the community in Lublin, Poland On my return from the 36th International Youth Festival in Međugorje, when we were on the bus on our way back to Poland, our guide invited those who wished, to take the microphone and share their experience of Međugorje with everybody. At first nobody responded to this invitation. I was also not sure whether my vision was to be shared with many people or it was just for myself. I had time to pray in silence and ask Mary. Deep from within I felt the affirmation to go and share about it. Here I share it with you all as a testimony to the love of Mary. In Međugorje, on the 8th of August, during my personal prayer with the word of God for that day, (Deut 4:32–40), I felt an invitation to open myself to…
Jubilee of consecrated life – 8th and 9th October 2025
On the occasion of the Jubilee of consecrated life, which will be celebrated on the 8th and 9th October, we wish to remember the thoughts of our Venerable Mother Marie-Salome, who worked incessantly and with unwavering faith to strengthen our congregation. United in prayer to be religious after God’s own heart