With Christ, in Africa, forever
Sr. Iwona Cholewinska, in La Marsa, Tunisia, shares her joy at her final vows For my final commitment I chose the date of September 8, to be able to always associate it with the birth of Mary and the birth of our Congregation. In distributing the invitations for my vows, I had this conviction that the people who will be present will be guests of the One who invited me to follow Him as MSOLA in Africa, because it is He, in fact, the author of this day. From the first preparations, the desire that inhabited me was that it be a celebration as simple as possible and it was fulfilled! Many of the people present underlined in their sharing this simplicity that was manifested in the liturgy, in the symbols and in the gestures. The celebration took place in the church where I was baptized, I…
Missionary Vocation Animation in Gitega, Burundi
Sr. Victoire Niyonzima from our Gitega community, shares the work of the Missionary Vocation Animation in Burundi We have been blessed with young aspirants who came to follow two vocational discernment seminars. We divided them into two groups: the first for those who came first and had not yet reached their final year of studies plus those who still have one year remaining to finish their secondary education. The second group was made up of those who, during this academic year, have finished their studies and have taken the State Examination plus those who have finished their studies a while back. The first group of 13, were there from 24th to 27th July 2024. The second group of 22 was with us from 6th to 10th August 2024. For all these seminars we are grateful to God who enabled us to organize and carry out this project. Being…
Young People Need Our Guidance
From Sr Xaverine Mukatabaza, Malindi, Kenya Allow me to begin with the words of our superior general, Sr. Angela Kapitingana during the official opening of the new community in Morocco. She said, “We may be few in number, but history has shown us time and again that even a small group, united by a common purpose can produce a profound witness.” She continued: “Let us carry out this mission with joy and determination, knowing that our strength lies in our unity and our faith. We are mission and our presence here today is a witness to the transforming love of the Risen Lord who calls us to journey together as we expand our tent.” When I read this article that our sisters in Morocco shared, it reminded me of our reality in Malindi, Kenya, a place of primary evangelization. Indeed, our presence in Malindi as well, is a…
Missionary Month 2024
We start the Missionary Month 2024 with a prayer The most beautiful wedding between Earth and Heaven, is offered to us through Jesus. The Father invites everyone: “Come to the banquet!” Despite any indifference or refusal, let us go out tirelessly, let us reach out to people, to those who are far and distant: “Everyone is invited to the banquet!” Where we find joy and justice, sharing and fraternity. “Come to the most desired banquet!” Unconditional love calls us to be in communion with Him and with each other. Fr. Yoland Ouellet, OMI, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies Francophone Canada Inspired by Pope Francis’ Message for World Mission Day 2024
Vocation animation in a residence for our Sisters
Vocation animation in our residence consists in keeping alive the missionary fire that will animate us until the end, remembering that we are MISSION by all that we are and do. We are fortunate to have a lay animator in our Cartierville retirement home in the person of Mrs. Josée Beaudet who organizes activities to animate meetings. She recently organized an African party where we were invited to wear our African dress (boubous), to dance to the sound of songs and drums, to have a drink of hibiscus and sweet doughnuts… all the residents were invited. The atmosphere was lively and it was a real treat for all. For Valentine’s Day, we draw pictures of Our Lady of Africa and hearts, and tried out our skills in modeling clay! Birthday gatherings are an opportunity for us to reminisce about our mission experiences which are always interesting. There are also…
Silver jubilee of Sr. Marie Kanyoni
A very beautiful atmosphere of joy and solidarity marked this celebration. Everyone took the success of this party to heart as if it were their own family. Sr. Marie at the centre From Sr. Marie Kanyoni Bangaya Ndusha, Bamako, Mali The day chosen to celebrate my Jubilee was 04/14/24 because this year, 03/27 (the date of my first vows) fell on the Monday of Holy Week. The second Sunday of Easter being Mercy Sunday, there were many activities planned at the parish; so only Sunday 14 remained. Once the date was set, the community (Sr. Vicky and I) saw how to organize the celebration before submitting the proposal to the council office of our Christian community. A week before the feast, Sr. Vicky and I were worried. But, three days before the planned date, I was pleasantly surprised to see the entire Christian community in motion for the…
The vocation group at the parish of Nouakchott
From our sister Mia Dombrecht, in Nouakchott, Mauritania This pastoral year, the parish vocational group chose “Burning Hearts, Walking Feet” as the theme for Mission Sunday in October 2023. At the start of the pastoral year, we met to listen to the young people’s interests and the topics they would like to cover throughout the year. A meditation on the call of young Samuel opened the year. In November, we organized a recollection by the sea to share on the year’s theme and on the Gospel of the Emmaus pilgrims. We tackled the subject of the missionary vocation. A diocesan priest and sisters from three missionary congregations were present to mentor around ten young people. In December, through sketches linked to the mystery of the Incarnation, the young people presented different texts from the Gospel. At the end, each one of them shared in a very moving way…
God’s dream became mine
Sr. Flora Ridder shares the Final Commitment of Sr. Magdalena Orczykowska on Sunday 21st April 2024 in the parish of St. Anthony the Abbot, Mẹcina, Poland On Friday afternoon the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa set off from Lublin to Mẹcina, the home village of Sr. Magdalena. There she prepared to make her perpetual vows on Sunday. The two entity leaders of Euro-America Sisters Marceline Nemeyitora and Maite Sanz de Pablo, Sr. Mamaalifar from Rome and Sr. Flora from Germany joined the sisters of Lublin for the celebration. In the village we were heartily welcomed by the parents and the sister of Sr. Magdalena. The uncle had put his house, next to the parents’ house, at the disposition of the sisters who, sharing rooms, all found accommodation. The meals were shared in the parents’ house. They were times of sharing, getting to know one another…
Gathering the fruits of our pilgrimage of Juniorate
Pilgrimage in the footsteps of Cardinal Lavigerie: Sr. Magdalena Orczykowska, Sr. Julia Alonso Martinez (animator), Sr. Iwona Cholewińska, Sr. Kandongo Kibole Yollande, Sr. Marietha Asimwe Joakim Rupia At the end of the Juniorate our sisters share their experience: At the end of this important and very profound journey, which is the beginning of another one, with Mary and with all of you who have been with me physically and spiritually, who have encouraged me and supported me on this journey of transformation, I turn to God as I say: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my saviour. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness. The Mighty one has done great things for me, holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age.” I am grateful to the Congregation which gave me this opportunity to grow, to…