Dames d’Afrique – A Documentary on the White Sisters
From the tv channel KTO, Sister Gisela and others share stories and memories in a moving documentary For more than 150 years, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, known as the White Sisters, have devoted their lives to working on the African continent. Founded in 1869 by Cardinal Charles Lavigerie, this women’s congregation has left an indelible mark on 15 African countries. By devoting themselves to the education, health and dignity of women, they have marked the history of the continent. Without ever compromising their faith, they adapted to local customs by listening to those in their care. Their social and religious legacy continues today, as evidenced by the vocations that have emerged from their mission countries. Combining historical archives, interviews with specialists and testimonials, director Sebastien Cassen has painted a nuanced and authentic portrait of these courageous women and their unconditional dedication. A KTO/SAISON CINQ co-production,…
The 36th International Youth Festival 2025 in Međugorje
By Sr. Lucy Nabweteme, Lublin Community, Poland I was entrusted by the Congregation with the mission of Missionary Vocation Animation (MVA) during my pilgrimage to Međugorje, on the occasion of the 36th International Youth Festival 2025, held from 4th to 8th August. Preparing for the Pilgrimage to Međugorje During the preparation for the pilgrimage, I experienced complications with travel documents and some fear about the mission ahead. However, I was deeply supported by my sisters in the community. On the 1st of August, at 3:30 am, we prayed together in our community chapel. The sisters blessed me, and we went to Saint Anthony of Padua Parish in Lublin, where a special Mass was organized for all the pilgrims. The theme of the pilgrimage was: “Let us go to the house of the Lord” (Ps 122:1). The Journey: A Time of Sharing and Prayer Once we boarded the bus and…
The Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa: The Birth of a Congregation
The sisters in the courtyard of Saint Charles with the statue of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Africa, in the middle On September 9, 1869, eight young women from Brittany arrived in Algiers after a harrowing Mediterranean storm delayed their journey by a day. As their ship battled the tempestuous waters, Msgr. Lavigerie, Bishop of Algiers, waited anxiously and finally sent his blessing across the troubled sea, a prophetic gesture for the challenging path ahead. We remember the 8 September as the birth date of the congregation in remembrance of the blessing Cardinal Lavigerie sent across the stormy waters and in commemoration of the birth of the Virgin Mary, our patroness. Cardinal Lavigerie’s Vision for an African Missions In 1869 Msgr. Charles Lavigerie, Bishop of Algiers was facing a crisis. Cholera and famine had devastated Algeria, leaving countless orphans. He envisioned a missionary congregation specifically adapted to…
My Perpetual Commitment: An Offering of Life to the Lord
From Sister Kandongo Kibole Yollande, on mission in Chad With a heart full of gratitude, I share the profound joy I experienced on the day of my perpetual profession. My life, received as a gift, I have offered to the Lord, the Master of all. In trust and serenity, I approached his altar, ready to hand over my entire existence to him. Yes, I can truly affirm: there is more joy in giving than in receiving. The grace of this unique moment was granted to me. Everything unfolded in peace and in deep fraternal communion. I felt carried by your prayers, your encouragement, and your affection. As our ritual of vows highlights, I leaned on the unconditional love of God and on the support of my sisters. With this certainty, I made my commitment in full awareness, convinced that I do not walk this path alone. This definitive…
Final Vows of our sister Yollande
You’re Invited to Unite in Prayer in Celebration of the Final Vows of Sister Yollande With hearts full of gratitude and joy, we invite you to join us in prayer as our beloved Sister Yollande makes her Final Profession of Vows, committing her life fully and forever to the service of God. Though not all of us may gather in person, we ask you to be present in spirit and prayer. Let us unite in prayer on 19th July 2025. For those who cannot attend in person, the celebration will be broadcast live on Facebook. via this link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AWG5ADBRK/
God’s love is wonderful
From left to right: Sisters Nodjitelsembe Solange from Tchad, Cyarisima Divine from Rwanda, Nitunga Jovanie from Burundi and Mbaihamdene Valérie from Tchad. Four Sisters pronounced their first vows in Bobo-Dioulasso, on December 8, 2024. : Sisters Nodjitelsembe Solange from Tchad, Cyarisima Divine from Rwanda, Nitunga Jovanie from Burundi and Mbaihamdene Valérie from Tchad share the experience of the day. Yes, God’s love is wonderful. These words remind us of how God walked with us until the day of our commitment, not by our merit but by His unconditional Love towards us. It is with great joy that we share with you the experience we lived on the day of our first profession. On December 8, 2024, we publicly pronounced our “Yes” to follow Christ, which as our dream since we felt His call. We feel happy to belong to our dear Congregation: The Missionary Sisters of Our Lady…
Meeting of the Lavigerie family in Kenya
Meeting of the Lavigerie Family: Missionaries of Africa (M.Afr), Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (MSOLA) and Missionary Lay Associates (LMA). From Sr. Julienne Bouda, Ukusijoni, Uganda On 7th – 8th of February 2025, a meeting of the Lavigerie Family was held in Nairobi at Saint Charles Lwanga House. It was organized by the Entity leaders of both the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (MSOLA) and the Missionaries of Africa (M.Afr). This meeting was a family gathering to see how to live practically the Charter of the Lavigerie Family proposed to us by our two General Councils. Its aim was to unify the different groups of the Lavigerie Family: Lay men and women, MSOLA and M.Afr of Eastern and Central Africa, that is Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in view of the betterment of the Mission in Africa and for the Africans. We were reminded…
Our only goal is to make God known, loved and served
By Sr. Xaverine Mukatabaza, Malindi Community, Kenya “Our only goal is to make God known, loved and served” (Thoughts of Mother Marie Salome, no 167) Dear sisters, brothers and friends of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, It is my joy to share with you the experience of a of a 17-year-old girl who visited our community and stayed with us for three days. I begin with her words as she was sharing with me how she had perceived the sisters and our lifestyle. Her first impression she said: “What a joy to live with you sisters!” I asked her why? She responded that she could not imagine that we are from different countries. We are four sisters: Ghanaian, Congolese, Ugandan and Rwandese. She admired our way of living. She said, “You are like sisters from the same parents because of the love that you…
Being close to teenagers in Deli
On the occasion of the Jubilee of Teenagers, Sr. Nathalie Wendata Sedogo shares the work we do with young girls interested in our congregations. In our Missionary Vocation Animation, we are always in contact with teenagers. We organize meetings to share information and in Deli we have a group of young girls who meet regularly to discern their spiritual journey. We are delighted to have established once a month, a visit to the family of each young member of the vocation group. Indeed, every 4th Sunday of the month, all the members of the vocation group spend time with the family of each young person just after mass. Each person brings a dish so that we can have a community meal. We started with our MSOLA community. All the sisters were mobilized for the reception and animation. The young people asked us questions and focused on the…