Apostolic activities in the noviciat
“Three Saturdays a month, in the afternoon, we spend two hours in tutoring children from this village which is almost abandoned. We work with two members of the community of Saint Egidio, which we were told upon arrival that “this is a school of peace.” Bénédicte cares for children from CE1 and CE2 (basic courses) and Aline those of CP1 and CP2 (preparatory courses). This phrase, “it is a school of peace” has marked us so much that today we realize that these children really need peace. Sometimes they fight one another to express their need for affection, as their great-grandparents were quarantined in the village because of their disease. There is a woman who spoke, saying, “it’s better when you’re here,” simply because these children who find it difficult to live together, fight and that is a disorder. Gradually the children get used to being…
God calls … How do I respond?
I will try to share with you something of God’s call in my life. How I heard God’s call, how I responded and how I continue to respond every day in the daily events of my life. My name is Mia. I am a Missionary Sister of Our Lady of Africa and I am from Ghent, Belgium. Here are some signs to help discern a call to a religious missionary vocation Listen to testimonials: Since I was very young, in primary school, I loved listening to the testimony of the missionary sisters who came to speak in our classrooms during their home-leave in Belgium. I thought to myself: When I grow up, I want to be like them, go to Africa, especially where people do not yet know God. I also loved watching on TV reports and documentaries about Africa. Listen to the Word of…
First vows of Ferroudja, Mediatrice, Béatrice, Pascaline, Odile, Agnès, Priscille and Scholastique 2014
On 26th April 2014 at Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso Sr Ferroudja Chabane from Algeria, appointed to Lilongwe, Malawi. Sr Médiatrice Kwizera from Burundi, appointed to Butare, Rwanda. Sr Béatrice Badini Wêndpouiré from Burkina Faso, appointed to Algiers, Algeria. Sr Pascaline Katungu Muleresimundu from DR Congo, appointed to Kalabankura, Mali. Sr Odile Tuo Songuimagnon from Ivory Coast, appointed to Gitega, Burundi. and at Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania Sr Agnes Waweru Wangeci from Kenya, appointed to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania on 11th October 2014 at Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso Sr Priscille Nisubire from Burundi appointed to Dar-es-Salaam (Tandale),Tanzania. Sr Scholastique Makita Mutanda from DR Congo, appointed to Ghardaia, Algeria.
First vows of Maria Anuarite, Butare, 30th April 2015
Amani Marie Anuarite Ndatabaye (DR Congo) is sent to Butare, Rwanda. On the pictures : Sr. Amani surrounded by the postulants, in front of Butare Cathedral; Sr. Agathe Mukamuligo (left) and Amani having received the light
First vows of Jane, Anna and Redempta, Arusha 30th April 2015
“People do not need sad sisters because they are experiencing enough sadness but they need sisters who are loving, joyful and enthusiastic and this is what we are called to be. He further said that Jesus is not interested in sisters who look good and smart but he is interested in sisters who bear fruits which are juicy and sweet, a call for us again to bear such kind of fruits.” When the three of us shared our novitiate experience, we found out that our experience is almost the same, “ENCOUNTERING GOD WHO IS LOVE”. Though in different ways, we all have encountered a God who loves us and accepts us the way we are and whose love has sustained us since we were born up to today. Because of this, we felt that our profession would be a response to the love of God that he has offered…
First vows of Anna, Thabita, Fidès, Julienne, Caritas, Marie and Edith in Arusha 2013
By our religious profession, we say ‘yes’ to God and to the Congregation, where we are welcomed and of which we are now members. Sister Margaret Kennedy, the Regional Sister for East Africa, received our vows as representative of the Superior General. The Eucharistic celebration of our first profession took place in our house. It was presided over by Father Simon Drasiga sj, assistant at the Jesuit novitiate in Arusha. The novices from the Missionaries of Africa helped us with the singing. We had chosen songs in different languages, and people were struck by our ability to master each other’s languages. Among the guests were our neighbours, parishioners and religious congregations. Our sisters from Dar-es-Salaam and Mwanza, Tanzania and from Nairobi, Kenya joined us for the celebration. This day has opened a new page in our lives; it is the beginning of a new story and a new…
Why not Missionary Sister of Our Lady of Africa?
A double invitation of the Lord resounds in my life: “Follow me” and “Go forth from your country, to the land I will show you.” This call gives me joy and dynamism. I would like to respond to it by joining other young people who like me, choose to give their lives to Christ for his Mission. The call to become a Missionary Sister of Our Lady of Africa may be heard in many ways. Perhaps a Gospel passage invites me to proclaim Jesus Christ beyond all borders, a deep desire to give my life to Jesus, an attraction for Muslim-Christian dialogue, the desire to fight against all kinds of injustice, a commitment to the poor, immigrants in my own country, I can also be attracted by Africa for a long time. Openness to others is important to me because it enriches my way of seeing…
Can women be Apostles?
“In spite of the zeal of the Missionaries, their efforts will not produce sufficient fruit if they are not seconded by women apostles working with the women. Men cannot give this service themselves, only women have free access to pagan women and are able to maintain charitable relations with them; help them in their trouble and so touch their hearts. This apostolate does not stop with the women, for a woman is a fountainhead because she is mother.” Cardinal Lavigerie underlined the importance of woman’s place in the world and in the Church. He saw her as an agent in the transformation of society through her role as “head” of the family, parallel to that of man. Hers is a ministry of love and of humanity. “Women are destined to be the most effective missionaries of the African peoples” 1871
To carve is to think with the heart and speak with the hands
To carve is to think with the heart and speak with the hands. I admit that it is an exercise resulting in a lot of sweat … But this exercise shows how vital it is to go to the end of life just as the sculptor takes his time to go to the end and give life to his work. I was born in 1934 in Dordogne. In July 1956, I took my first steps in the congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa. I was sent to Africa where I had different activities. Since I am retired, I can practice the art of sculpture. In my missionary life, I was able to fulfill several services, thanks to my self-taught training;it is surely a gift from heaven, the greatest gift. Thus I was able to respond to various calls in my religious family. In Algeria, I…