Slavery, Young women going to Europe
In “hot neighborhoods” of major European cities where prostitution is practiced, we meet very young Nigerian women, whose number is constantly increasing. Most come from Edo State in southern Nigeria. Three factors contribute to these young women being drawn into the networks of human trafficking: their desire to go to Europe to work and help their families, lack of economic means to undertake this journey and the difficulty to enter the fortress that Europe has become. Without ever meaning to, two or three days after their arrival they are found in the poorest places of prostitution: the woods, parks, along roads or in some streets of ill repute… Through meeting these young women and the persons accompanying them, I learned how they came and what makes it so difficult for them to get out of this modern slavery of which they are the victims. They sacrifice…
In the midst of the “poor”
At the “Poverello” in Brussels, I find myself in the midst of the “poor” of all kinds and from all over the world. These people need to eat, but also need attention and friendship. I often have the opportunity to speak Arabic. I am very happy; I go there once a week. The Poverello is an association in the area of the North Station in Brussels. At noon we serve hot meals to needy people, street people … We serve from 100 to 150 meals a day. This takes place in a very good atmosphere. I visit people living alone, disabled or elderly who need certain services: For a year I took communion to Gaby, a former prostitute who now elderly, does not “work” anymore. She has always lived in this neighborhood. Thus I was able to dip into this milieu–a very rewarding discovery. This woman of faith challenged…
It is a privilege for me to be a waste for God!
Madga : Sister Angela Kapitingana is Tanzanian. After several years of mission in Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Kenya, DRC, she was sent to the novitiate in Burkina Faso to work in the formation of young women who want to become Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa. I asked her about her religious vocation. Magda – Sister, how did you discover your religious vocation? Angela – Discovering my vocation was not easy but in my heart I had a desire to share my faith with people who have no family especially orphans, I wanted to show that they are important in God’s eyes. Very early I lost my mother. I wanted to help my sister who did everything so that I could study. I worked hard at school until I had the opportunity to go to university. It was a decisive moment when I felt in my heart…
Afrika – Quebec
AFRIKA-QUEBEC intercultural meeting Expo: September 26 to October 16, 2015 Africa Quebec AFRIKA-QUEBEC: the story of a long-lasting friendship Women and men of Quebec, in Africa: In 1901, the Missionaries of Africa (known as the White Fathers), and in 1903, the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (known as the White Sisters), opened their first house in Quebec City, rue des Remparts. Very soon, some young women and men of Quebec chose the missionary life and left Quebec to go to Africa. A large number have spent their whole life there, others several years. Today, we still see them serving in several African countries. Those who are back in Canada have a message for us: «In Africa, we have been warmly welcomed. We have learned the local language, the history of the country; we even danced to the rhythm of the drum. We were introduced…
Fioretti from Zambia 2
Visiting a group of ‘bansansa’ = ‘Joyous’ I ask them: ” What did you do this week?” The answers are many: – We collected firewood, drew water, cleaned around the house and they named some elderly and disabled persons. – I prevented a fight. – How did you do this, it is not easy? – I told them: Where we love … God is present, if we do not love … God is not there! They stopped! These are the words of ‘ Ubi Caritas’, which is often sung during the liturgies. Recounting this fact to a very ‘pro latin’ cousin, I asked him … “Do you think if we had sung in Latin, it would have penetrated the boy’s heart ?” The answer was a great laugh, giving me reason! “If we love one another, God abides in us …” I Jn 4, 12 ________________________________…
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…