Fioretti from Zambia 1
Often at night I would pray near a river close to the house, it flowed, sang, and jumped. One day at a crossroads, I met a boy of about six years, very cute. On his bare chest shone a medal. I said, “But I do not know you, what’s your name? ” Straightening and very proud, he said: “Nine Ibrahimu” “I am Abraham” What a great introduction to the beginning of these pages, this encounter with Abraham !!! I want to write about the Bible in the lives of Zambians. ____________________________ Another meeting: I was returning from the village, further down the road I see two men talking with a boy of 10 or 11 years who was returning from school. The men continue their way, the child arrives at my side, he is laughing. We greet and I tell him “you seem very…
The learning method of tunisian language
The learning method of tunisian language is intended to beginner level. It is written both in arabic and transcript for a francophone and anglophone people, what is quite unique. This method was written by Sister Madeleine Prim. This method is the product of a long story. After some lessons given by The White Fathers at IBLA ( Institut des Belles Lettres Arabes) , the White Sisters have organized a first draft copy of lessons more intensive in 1937. Since 1957, the language center works in its current form, under the name of ” Maison d’Etudes” , based in Monfleury / Tunis and linked to a library intended to highschooler. Initially intended to the White Sister who was studying literal arabic and arabic dialect, with an formation on islamology, the center has opened gradually towards another public living and working in Tunis. The first student…
Dear Mr. /Mrs….
MIGRANTS : Faced with this situation the Sisters of Our Lady of Africa and the Missionaries of Africa sent a letter to political leaders of the European Union and European countries, asking them to address the causes of migration and proposing a change in the economic policy. In May and June, many migrant trying to get into Europe lost their lives crossing the Mediterranean. Despite numerous protests, statements and letters from associations, individuals and some politicians, the European Union, and most European governments and politicians continued to strengthen the closure of their borders to prevent economic migrants and political refugees from entering in Europe. Dear Mr. /Mrs…. We need to transform our economic system: We appeal to you o To promote in your own [party, government, parliament…] a reflection on the root causes of migration and a discussion on the required transformation of our economic system. o Initiate and…
Advance out into the deep
This morning in my prayer I heard : « advance out into the deep »…. I wanted to respond: “It’s unreasonable that you ask me this Lord, I’m 81 years old!” Weird …, as this sounds like distant history. It was in September 1869. Nearly 150 years ago! Eight young women from Brittany arrived in Algiers. They heard a call from Mgr. Lavigerie transmitted by Abbé Le Mauff: “bring me at least four postulants, young, brave, ready for everything and able to be the four cornerstones of their congregation. In their hearts they had heard “advance into the deep” … They left family; home, village, country, personal projects; to go to Africa. To love like Jesus, to love strangers, strangers who have become brothers, sisters, children, fathers, mothers. Loving Africans by working with them and for them. Following them, many young people, in all countries,…
Final commitment of Sr Clémence Sawadogo 29th august 2015
My soul magnifies the Lord! … With the Magnificat, I thank God for his trust and love for me and for all the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa. “I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done unto me according to your word.” This is the theme I chose for the Eucharistic celebration. By my baptism, I entered the great family of God and became a prophet and disciple to follow Christ. What is essential for me is trust, acceptance to walk in the light as in the darkness with faith in the Risen Christ. I thank the Lord for the gift of religious missionary life. On the eve of this important ceremony, I was so happy to welcome our sisters from Ouagadougou: Hortensia, Agnes, Nathalie and Caritas as well as the father of our sister Nathalie; also Brigitte from Mali and Thérèse from…
O Migrant, “rest here” with us…
My brother, My sister, You left everything, your home, your family, your friends, your country…. You left, set out,.. arriving in an unknown country, With people who speak another language, Who have different customs, a different religion than yours…. How many obstacles encountered, not counting all those met on the way… in Sinai, Turkey, Libya, on the seas…. and now in the country where you seek a welcome. In addition, without an apparent future, With tomorrow’s insecurity, In search of the papers to regularize your situation, Lacking the necessary for your vital needs. Being unable to speak, to really express yourself….. Unable to comprehend all these papers, not knowing what they mean, What to do …… O my brother, O my sister in humanity, I would like to be able to say to you… “rest here” with us,…. do not worry. I hope that…
Bukavu, RCD session “The joy of the Gospel”
Begun on July 13th and finished on the 17th, our session gathered 27 students of the third year in Secondary School, for the State diploma. “The Joy of the Gospel” was visible on the faces of the young people and the sisters. This theme of the encyclical of Pope Francis was presented the first day of our session. The next days it was Vocation in the Bible and our Charism. A morning of spiritual recollection and individual accompaniment preceded the Eucharist of “sending” and the festive evening. The three sisters of our community of Kadutu : Christine Tubiangalie, Christine Bahati Safi and Bouda Julienne were involved in the preparations and in the activities of the session. Some points were highlighted by the participants in their evaluation: They especially emphasized our joy, expressed by the testimonies of our apostolic commitments, our sisterhood / brotherhood and our…
Come mix your colors with me
Around the theme of peace and living together, the library of the Palmiers in Algiers, organized for the first time a summer camp from 20 to 25 July 2015 for neighborhood children. A dozen facilitators (seven young Algerians, two Congolese Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa and Marion French DCC) prepared singing workshops, crafts (origami, painting, salt dough …), theater and magic for children from 6 to 10 years. We began with an educational game in the morning, where even the most timid children got involved! Each day, a group of children was responsible for preparing the tea. The last day, parents were able to admire the works their children had done during the workshops. The children presented a show with little theater skits about living together. Each presented the job of their dreams: doctor, architect, pilot, mechanic, cook, teacher, police officer, housekeeper, lawyer. Meriem, aged…
Pray from the Encyclical “Laudato si”
“We feel it is urgent to incorporate in all our apostolic commitments, the dimension of justice, peace and integrity of creation. We want to express our solidarity with all humanity and participate in this reconciled CREATION event which Christ is moving towards its fulfillment.” 2011 General Chapter of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa Pope Francis in his encyclical “Laudato si” after comparing the earth as our home according to the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi, he calls it Sister Earth. He writes: “This sister Earth is crying because of the damage we cause her by the irresponsible use and abuse of the goods that God has deposited in her.” This encyclical is the basis of our prayer. Let us listen to the old song of the scouts: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit O Lord,…
The disastrous effects of the Mining Industry in Africa
Africa is rich in reserves of minerals. It is a leading producer of gold and coltan (used in electronic devices) and other minerals.