Three dimensions of Spirituality
From Sr. Iwona Cholewinska, La Marsa, Tunisia A deep conviction that has accompanied me since my novitiate is that we, the MSOLA, have a spirituality of our own. I would like to look at it in its three dimensions: interior, horizontal and vertical, by joining the definition of Delia Mamon. For her, spirituality is “the connection to one’s inner being, to others, to the whole, including to that which surpasses us.” Our MSOLA spirituality is first of all the spirituality of the personal relationship with the Lord. It is nourished by Ignatian Spirituality which leads us with its many means to the deepening of this relationship and leads us to a true experience of Life. Our MSOLA Spirituality is enriched by certain aspects of African Spirituality which recognize the sacred character of life and a deep connection with its source. The Ubuntu philosophy and its adage “I am…
The hidden depths of the Lord’ Prayer
Sister Gaby Lepage hels us to discover the hidden depths of the Lord’ Prayer In 1982, I was in Malawi, Africa, as a missionary. One day, we welcomed a Jewish family into our community, the father, the mother and a little boy. I loved watching this child, who, in his father’s arms, spent his time repeating ABBA, ABBA, with gentleness and tenderness. This scene reminded me of Jesus calling his father ABBA, papa, beloved father, the intimate secret of Jesus’ relationship with God his father and of his mission in God’s name. To his apostles, who had asked him one day: ‘Teach us to pray’, he had told them: ‘When you pray, say OUR FATHER who art in heaven…Luke 11, 1-4, Mt 6, 9-13 In the first three prayers of the Our Father, man is concerned about the cause of God; in the next four, it is…
Seniors’ meeting: learning to age well
From our sisters Jacqueline Piron and Monique Moret A meeting of 27 missionary fathers and sisters from Africa at the White Fathers’ Generalate, coming from 10 countries and representing as many African countries where they have worked. Integrating Past and Present: Lessons from the Butterfly’s Transformation Right from the 1st meeting, we were spread around a table in groups of 5 or 6. A butterfly, with all its mutations, was immediately projected onto a screen and became the focus of our various reflections. Like the butterfly, we had to learn to emerge from the egg and become a magnificent butterfly, a sign of our journey through life to become a radiant elder. Indeed, the aim was to embrace the present, integrate the past, in an attitude of openness and receptivity, trusting completely in the God who dwells within us. Building Real Fraternity From the 1st…
Provincial jubilee of consecrated people
Provincial jubilee of consecrated people: 125 years of Evangelization of Burkina Faso By Sr Pascaline Katungu Dear sisters, in Burkina Faso, we are in a joyful commemoration of the jubilee year of Burkina. 125 years of evangelization! On this occasion, the Church Family of God of Burkina, in particular that of the ecclesiastical province of Ouagadougou, bringing together four dioceses; Koudougou, Manga, Ouahigouya and Ouagadougou, celebrated on November 30, at the cathedral parish, the jubilee of Consecrated Life for this province. It was a thanksgiving mass presided over by Bishop Joachim, bishop of the diocese of Manga. The bishops of these four dioceses were present at the ceremony. There were many of us. The church was filled with consecrated persons, the majority being religious women. Before the Mass, each congregation had installed in the courtyard of the cathedral, presentation panels to do vocational animation. In his homily,…
The God I believe in is the God of the Wedding Feast at Cana
From Sister Gabrielle Lepage, Missionary Sister of Our Lady of Africa The first sign of Jesus Christ speaks volumes: the wedding feast at Cana. The wedding feast is a symbol of celebration, joy, togetherness and covenant. It is a happy God who gives us the pleasure of existing and being happy. There is a symbolic meaning to this first sign. Jesus goes to a wedding ceremony. The union he consecrates between the man and the woman is the figure of the union that God wanted to establish between Himself and the soul of each human being. In this first sign that Jesus gave, there is happiness, and it’s the same for his first teaching: Blessed are the poor in heart…, Blessed are those persecuted for the sake of justice…, etc. When we think of the wedding, we think of love, love that is the fire that…
Honoring the Charism of Cardinal Lavigerie: The Missionary Legacy in Northern Africa
From our Sr Zawadi Barungu on mission in Ghardaïa, Algeria In the majority of our mission posts in Norther part of Africa, the legacy of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa and the Missionaries of Africa who lived the charism of our founder Cardinal Lavigerie remains alive. In many instances, we discover their footprints and fruits of their dedicated work. Remembering Sister Renée Guillermin: A Tribute to Her Life and Service It is with great sorrow that we learned the news of the return to the Father of our sister Renée Guillermin, this November 26. We lived with Rénée in Ghardaïa, Algeria. She leaves us with the memory of a sister who was always approachable, generous in her self-giving. Her simplicity and joy remain a treasure for us. Our neighbors remember her. Rénée lived 19 years in Ghardaïa, Algeria. She taught embroidery and sewing…
Christmas wishes 2024
Download the PDF Christmas wishes 2024
Inauguration in Malindi, Kenya
From our sister Redempta Kabahweza, Malindi community, Kenya On 24 November 2024, the feast of Christ the King, the Community of Malindi joined the Missionaries of Africa in their parish of Tarasaa for the inauguration of the bicentenary of Cardinal Charles Lavigerie. It was a beautiful celebration with Mass celebrated by the Provincial of the EAP Province, Fr. Oswald Mallya. In his homily he highlighted the passion of Cardinal Lavigerie to save Africans from the slave trade. His desire was that the dignity of every human being be respected and protected, especially for Africans sold into slavery, and that is why he founded the two Institutes to spread this Gospel throughout Africa. He further explained that slavery still exists in another form called modern slavery and Cardinal Lavigerie challenges us to continue the mission of protecting humanity from modern slavery. As the parish also celebrated its…
Opening of the bicentenary of the birth of Cardinal Lavigerie in Nairobi
From our sister Xaverine Mukansinga, in the Kodhek community, Kenya At the end of the month dedicated to mission in the Catholic Church, on 31 October 2024, the Missionaries of Africa, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa and the lay associates of the Lavigerie family gathered at Our Lady of Peace parish in South B, in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, to celebrate the opening of the bicentenary of the birth of Cardinal Charles Martial Allemand Lavigerie. We were able to honour his legacy and give thanks to God for his profound impact on the Catholic Church, humanity and the African continent. Archbishop Philip Anyolo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Nairobi, was present and presided over the Eucharistic celebration, which was led by the Missionaries of Africa theology student choir. In his homily, the archbishop reminded us that participating in the mission of Jesus is the very definition…
Opening of the bicentenary with the blowing of the horn
From our Sister Eliane Nzoyisaba, in Bunamwaya, Uganda The celebration took place at Lubaga Cathedral on Thursday 31 October 2024. We were very happy to be with all our sisters who came from Adjumani to celebrate with us. We prepared this celebration in collaboration with the Missionaries of Africa. The day before we had an exhibition (Missionaries of Africa and us Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa) at Lubaga Cathedral. It was interesting to see people coming to ask what event we were having and also to ask about our congregations. The main celebrant was Mgr Lawrence Ssemusu. We had three very important events: – The opening of the bicentenary of the birth of Cardinal Lavigerie. – The celebration of the 125th anniversary of our arrival in Uganda. – The closing of a historical exhibition on the 60th anniversary of the canonisation of the Uganda Martyrs by…