Posted on

Season of Creation / September 2023

Via Aurelia Pilgrims Celebrate the Season of Creation 2023

On 9 September 2023, members of the Via Aurelia Pilgrims in Rome, from near and far, as well as neighbors, friends, and visitors, gathered at the Generalate of the Missionaries of Africa to celebrate the Season of Creation. Among participants were also Major Superiors of different religious institutes, members of JPIC Roma – Commission USG-UISG and JPIC Promotors working in Rome. As pilgrims, we were united with the universal Church, to pray and raise awareness about the need of justice, peace, and the care of our common home. Furthermore, it was a time to ask for the grace of repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, and true ecological conversion.

Around 05:00 pm., the Superior General of the Missionaries of Africa cordially welcomed the pilgrims. We were about 75 religious men and women. To be closer to nature, we chose to pray in the garden. It was a time for us to treasure and live the value of care imbedded in the Encyclical Letter, Laudato Si’ (LS). Why praying for the whole of creation? “Because all creatures are connected, each must be cherished with love and respect, for all of us as living creatures are dependent on one another” (LS, 42). Therefore, it becomes an imperative to care for our neighbor and planet.

Caring for the whole of creation does not exclude the question of peace and social fairness. They are the two sides of the same coin. That is why we took time to listen and meditate upon the following words of the prophet Amos: I can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want (cf. Amos 5:21-24).

We were very happy to have been able to come together to pray for peace and fairness among people. We offered our spiritual contribution to the care of our common home, as Pope Francis calls us to do. It is important to note that last year, around the same time, the Via Aurelia Pilgrims prayed together for ecological conversion.

It is worth adding that the theme for 2023 Season of Creation is “Let Justice and Peace Flow”. Through prayer, meditation, and fraternal sharing, we resolutely chose to be active tributaries that build up a mighty river of fairness (cf. Amos 5:24). Such a resolute attitude entails ‘journeying together’ as family of believers. Are you ready to join our synodal journey?

By P. Harelimana
Posted on

Roma Cura Roma 2023

Missionaries of Africa Join “Roma Cura Roma” Initiative

On 6 May 2023, Rome municipal authority organized a clean-up of the city of Rome. Among the 323 associations registered were the Missionaries of Africa, residing in the Generalate, Rome (cf. Roma Cura Roma – Missionari d’Africa – Padri Bianchi).

At 9:30 am., we gathered in front of our Generalate. Once the tools needed were ready, we moved to start the work. 13 members of the Generalate volunteered for the clean-up activity.

Some pedestrians were surprised to see us cutting the grass, collecting trash, scrubbing, sweeping the street, unblocking gutters, etc. Others were also amazed. They asked us if we had been hired by the municipal authorities. It was time to explain to them that we were doing the work on voluntary basis. “So, you are priests?”, some asked. They were grateful and encouraged us to continue.

For more than two hours we cleaned the street leading to Valle Aurelia metro station. At the end, we collected bags filled with plastics, glass bottles, plants, dry leaves, etc. Everything that was compostable, we brought it to the compost in our garden.

As we were getting ready to come back to the house, we spoke on phone with one of the organizers from the municipality. He thanked us for our generosity and the work well done. We were very happy to have been able to contribute to the beauty of the city of Rome. We offered our small contribution to the care of our common home, as Pope Francis in his Encyclical Letter, Laudato Si’ calls us to do. It is worth noting that last year, around the same time, the Via Aurelia Pilgrims carried out the same initiative.

Roma Cura Roma (“Rome takes care of Rome”) is a day dedicated to the collective care of streets, squares, parks, and green areas in all the municipalities. According to Rome Today, an online newspaper, “There were 432 collective care interventions in the city. Over 15,000 citizens involved for a total of 323 associations.”

P. Harelimana
Posted on

JPIC-ED Strategic Action Plan for 2022-2028

Why Nurture JPIC-ED Values within Us?

From 27th February to 5th March 2023, our Generalate in Rome, hosted JPIC-ED Provincial Coordinators and Section Promotors. The aim of coming together, both in person and online, was to elaborate a JPIC-ED Strategic Action Plan for 2022-2028. Presenters enriched JPIC-ED provincial and section strategic action plans which were prepared prior to the session.

First, a JPIC-ED minister cannot offer what s/he does not have. Thus, processing JPIC-ED values within oneself helped each participant to understand his/her role as an agent peace and positive change in society.  

Second, participants took time to look at the collaboration with the local Church. Issues related to charity and justice, human mobility, anti-human trafficking campaign, education, economy, international trade and poverty, environmental care, healing and reconciliation, etc., call for collaboration.

Third, the challenge of insecurity, mostly in Africa, was not ignored. That is why conflicts management and resolution captured the attention of the participants. Using a theoretical framework, participants took time to investigate and understand causes of conflicts, approaches in peacebuilding, the correlation between conflict prevention, management, resolution, and transformation, etc.

Fourth, participants investigated socio-economic dynamics of our time. A particular attention was drawn on the state of world’s economy, the problem of economic growth, the urgent need to change how the economy works, etc.

Finally, participants looked at the challenge of funding JPIC-ED apostolate.

Why cultivate JPIC-ED values within us? On processing JPIC-ED values within oneself, participants contemplated their inner-selves. Human frailty and tendency to inflict injustices on oneself, the other and the body of the Society stands possible for each and everyone. Aware of one’s struggles and vulnerability to injustice, it becomes an imperative to build a culture of encounter, dialogue, peace, justice, and care for our common home. This comes to corroborate what Mahatma Gandhi once said: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” In other words, ‘practice what you preach’.

The 29th General Chapter of our Society goes in the same line. It recommends the following: (1) a reflection on injustices within our Society and those that affect our collaborators (cf. Cap. Acts, §1, p. 27); (2) a renewed collaboration with the local Church and civil society actors in favor of peace and reconciliation (cf. Cap. Acts, §2, p. 27); (3) communal commitment in the care for our common home (cf. Cap. Acts, §6, p.28); and (4) where needed, to walk on the road of healing and renewal (cf. Cap. Acts, §7, p. 30).

With the current financial ups and downs caused by Covid-19 and Ukraine-Russia war, there is a need to imagine new ways of financing our JPIC-ED activities at the grassroots. To continue this noble aspect of our Charism, participants agreed to source funds from donors and other people of goodwill. Phases of planning, monitoring and evaluation should be well respected. Financial reports should exhibit transparence and accountability.

To conclude, JPIC-ED Coordinators sought to plan for a renewed JPIC-ED Ministry. ‘Walking the talk’ is necessary. JPIC-ED apostolate calls for collaboration with like-minded people and institutions, especially the local Church. It does not ignore the question of insecurity, mostly in Africa. It is aware of Covid-19 related financial challenges that need attention. Further, it seeks to follow the 29th General Chapter recommendations.

Prosper Harelimana
Posted on

JPIC ED Ejisu Ghana

This video belongs to the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), Ghana-Nigeria Province, St. Martin of Tours Formation House, Ejisu, Ghana (West Africa). Following a request of Talitha Kum, it was realized to raise awareness about the pain and suffering caused by modern slavery. Furthermore, it campaigns against Human Trafficking. Participants: Ushiobi Gerald Bisong (Producer), Elvis Eduyo, Shadrach Tanko, Lambert Donmee, Nitni Andrew Adeka, Jewel Osei Arhin, Mathias Yongo, Ugwu Anthony Chibueze and Yieri Desmond Ataba.

Posted on

The Letter

THE LETTER

The Laudato Sì movement is delighted to announce that over 165,000 people have already watched “The Letter” in the first 24 hours of its release. The film, which tells the story of the encyclical Laudato Si’ and the power of humanity to end the ecological crisis, was released at the Vatican on a very special day: the feast of St. Francis of Assisi and the closing of the Time for Creation. You can watch this beautiful film and adjust the subtitles in the YouTube options (bottom right).

Posted on

Season of creation – week 4

Every year we are invited to live the SEASON OF CREATION which is celebrated from September 1 to October 4, 2022.

This year we, the MSOLA and MAFR, wish to engage together in SEASON OF CREATION by striving to promote dialogue for action at the interfaith level.

Please explore the possibilities at your local level! Seek to carry out interfaith actions for our COMMON HOME.

Thank you and good luck with your creative commitments and visible testimony.

Here is the prayer we prepared for the fourth week :

SOC 2022 4 en I have observed

And here is the Official Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Season of Creation :

0 SOC Ecumenical prayer

The official guide to the SEASON OF CREATION is available on the following website: https://seasonofcreation.org/

Posted on

Season of creation – week 3

Every year we are invited to live the SEASON OF CREATION which is celebrated from September 1 to October 4, 2022.

This year we, the MSOLA and MAFR, wish to engage together in SEASON OF CREATION by striving to promote dialogue for action at the interfaith level.

Please explore the possibilities at your local level! Seek to carry out interfaith actions for our COMMON HOME.

Thank you and good luck with your creative commitments and visible testimony.

Here is the prayer we prepared for the third week :

SOC 2022 3 en Take off your shoes

And here is the Official Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Season of Creation :

0 SOC Ecumenical prayer

The official guide to the SEASON OF CREATION is available on the following website: https://seasonofcreation.org/

Posted on

Season of creation – week 2

Every year we are invited to live the SEASON OF CREATION which is celebrated from September 1 to October 4, 2022.

This year we, the MSOLA and MAFR, wish to engage together in SEASON OF CREATION by striving to promote dialogue for action at the interfaith level.

Please explore the possibilities at your local level! Seek to carry out interfaith actions for our COMMON HOME.

Thank you and good luck with your creative commitments and visible testimony.

Here is the prayer we prepared for the second week :

SOC 2022 2 en Turn aside

And here is the Official Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Season of Creation :

0 SOC Ecumenical prayer

The official guide to the SEASON OF CREATION is available on the following website: https://seasonofcreation.org/

Posted on

Season of creation – week 1

Every year we are invited to live the SEASON OF CREATION which is celebrated from September 1 to October 4, 2022.

This year we, the MSOLA and MAFR, wish to engage together in SEASON OF CREATION by striving to promote dialogue for action at the interfaith level.

Please explore the possibilities at your local level! Seek to carry out interfaith actions for our COMMON HOME.

Thank you and good luck with your creative commitments and visible testimony.

Here is the prayer we prepared for the first week :

SOC 2022 1 en Blazing yet not consumed

And here is the Official Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Season of Creation :

0 SOC Ecumenical prayer

The official guide to the SEASON OF CREATION is available on the following website: https://seasonofcreation.org/

Posted on

Stations of creation

Stations of creation

Download the Stations of the Cross here

Way of the cross, organised by “Via Aurelia Pilgrims”

Since the Season of Creation (2021), several neighbouring religious communities of the Via Aurelia have been walking together in the spirit of the synod.

Our group “Pilgrims of the Via Aurelia”, composed of the Marist Sisters, the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and the Missionaries of Africa, organized a Way of the Cross under the theme of Laudato Si.

On Friday, April 8, about a hundred people from the congregations that live in the neighbourhood, or who joined from other parts of Rome, participated in the prayer of the 7 Stations of Creation. Four vessels signifying the 4 elements: Wind, Fire, Water, Earth accompanied us on our way to the cross.

The photos give you a glimpse of our lived experience. You can also download the prayer of the stations of creation.

We wish you a good journey towards Easter!