Felix Phiri R.I.P.

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

Society of the Missionaries of Africa
Father Christian Mulenga, Provincial of Southern Africa,
informs you of the return to the Lord of Father

Felix Phiri

on Wednesday, 11th March 2026 in Cairo (Egypt)
at the age of 57 years, of which 29 years of missionary life
in Egypt, Tunisia, Great Britain, Italy, Kenya and Zambia.

Let us pray for him and for his loved ones.

Download here the announcement of Father Felix Phiri’s death

Milestones in the life of Father Felix Phiri

Born in:
Kalushi
on 11/08/1968		Spiritual YearMissionary OathPriestly
Ordination
Diocese:
Ndola		22/09/199107/12/199616/08/1997
Citizenship:
Zambian		Fribourg
(Switzerland)		Toulouse
(France)		Chikungu
(Zambia)

Bionotes

01/07/1997Prem. Nom.Maghreb
21/09/1997Etudes arabe (Combon)CaireEgypte
30/07/1998Etudes PISAIRoma, Maison Général.Italia
30/06/1999Bibliot. Jeunes + JCATTunis, IblaTunisie/Mgh
01/09/2001EtudesRoma, PISAIItalia
01/05/2002NomméLondon, Woodville GdnGrande-Bretagne
01/07/2006NomméRoma, PisaiItalia
01/08/2011Prof. PISAIRoma, Maison Général.Italia
15/09/2012SabbaticalZambia
01/09/2013LecturerNairobiKenya
01/07/2014Sector SuperiorNairobiKenya
16/05/2016Député au chapitreRomaItalia
01/09/2016ProvincialLusaka, WoodlandsZambia
01/09/2022ProfesseurRoma, PISAIItalia
01/09/2023IRDISNairobi, Charles LwangaKenya
11/03/2026DCD (57)CaireEgypte

Roger Tessier R.I.P.

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

Society of the Missionaries of Africa
Father Barthélémy Bazemo, Provincial of the Americas,
informs you of the return to the Lord of Father

Roger Tessier

on Friday, 6th March 2026 in Sherbrooke (Canada)
at the age of 97 years, of which 70 years of missionary life
in Malawi,  Kenya, and Canada.

Let us pray for him and for his loved ones.

Download here the announcement of Father Roger Tessier’s death

Milestones in the life of Father Roger Tessier

Born in:
Montréal
on 08/09/1928		Spiritual YearMissionary OathPriestly
Ordination
Diocese:
Montréal		11/08/194918/06/195528/01/1956
Citizenship:
Canadian		St-Martin
(Canada)		Eastview
(Canada)		Eastview
(Canada)

Bionotes

20/08/1956Secrétaire Prov.St MartinCanada
01/12/1958St MartinCanada
18/08/1960Revue Miss. d’Afr.QuébecCanada
26/08/1963Informat./Document.Montréal, L’AcadieCanada
12/01/1970VicaireLilongwe, Sacr. HeartMalawi
01/01/1973Press ManagerLikuni, D. LilongweMalawi
01/10/1980AMECEA Past. Inst.EldoretKenya
01/07/1984SECAMNairobi, St Charles L.Kenya
05/08/1989Rec.Montréal, St-HubertCanada
30/09/1990Media /ANB-BIANairobi, St Charles L.Kenya
01/10/1993Regional CouncillorKenya
01/09/1996Regional CouncillorKenya
01/09/2012MediaNairobi, Oluvimu 6Kenya
01/09/2019RésidenceSherbrookeCanada
06/03/2026DCD (97)SherbrookeCanada

Third Sunday of Lent, Year A

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

Jesus, the source of living water springing up to eternal life

Exodus 17:3-7 / Psalm 94(95) / Romans 5:1-2,5-8 / John 4:5-42

Today, the word of God focuses on thirst, one of the daily needs that drives us to seek water. That being the case, we can appreciate the crucial importance of water in human and all living beings’ lives. There is a popular saying: “Water is life.” In other words, our lives depend on it. Thirst for water is an existential need, and no one is spared. In biblical history, there are also instances in which the need for water is especially urgent. Concrete examples of this reality are illustrated in the first reading from the Book of Exodus and in the excerpt from the Gospel of Saint John.

First reading

In the first reading, the Jewish people, travelling through the desert towards the Promised Land, feel thirsty and begin to rebel against God and Moses. They quickly forget all that the Lord has done for them throughout their journey and ask Moses, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt? Was it to make us and our children and our flocks die of thirst?” Despite this ingratitude, Moses remains undaunted and continues to plead with the Lord. In His mercy and infinite love, the Lord commands him to strike the rock, from which water will flow to quench their thirst. Through this gesture, God manifested his faithfulness and unwavering love for his people. The psalmist illustrates it in these words: “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations” (Ps 100:5).

Just as these people do, we too sometimes rebel against God and quickly forget his blessings, especially during difficult times. When we suffer, we feel abandoned, helpless and angry, and we may even question God’s presence in our lives, asking: “Why must God allow this illness, this war, this disappointment or this ordeal to happen to me?” Well, whatever difficult situations we may experience, the Lord remains present in our lives. He never ceases to fill us with his love through his compassion. This passage invites us to persevere and to pray without ceasing, especially during this season of Lent.

We have only one rock, the inexhaustible source of water that is the Lord. He is our refuge, our strength and our shield to withstand the shocks of life. Let us return to him, for he is the source of our salvation. He calls us today to conversion of heart and, above all, to identify our spiritual dryness so that we may receive the water from the rock, which quenches our thirst.

Second Reading

Within this salvific perspective, the second reading from the letter to the Romans invites us to taste and savour the love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit so that we may obtain eternal life. It was out of love that Christ shed his blood, and living water flowed from his heart to deliver us from death and sin. This letter invites us to hope and to trust in the Lord who willed that his only Son be the cause of our redemption.

Gospel

In the Gospel, we have a moving encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. This encounter is marked by a dynamic of conversion and profound transformation, as Jesus breaks down the cultural barrier separating Jews and Samaritans. For him, salvation is universal, and no discrimination is tolerable. Through his reassuring words, Jesus helps the Samaritan woman to let go of her fear and open herself to salvation. Through this constructive encounter, the woman recognises Jesus as the prophet, the Messiah, or even the saviour of the world.

After this revealing recognition, she asks him to give her this living water so that she will never thirst again. For her, Jesus is the true source of living water springing forth for eternal life. Those who drink this water will never thirst again. In other words, if we accept Jesus and allow ourselves to be transformed by him, we open ourselves to abundant grace and salvation. Accepting Christ means choosing a new direction that opens us to repentance and fills our hearts with the thirst for God.

We are all thirsty for something: power, money, security, love, a stable job, etc. When these different thirsts go unsatisfied, we may complain against God and perhaps look elsewhere for solutions. Now, we must realise that apart from Jesus, the true source of living water, anything else will only bring us temporary satisfaction. May we change our hearts and seek this living water during Lent through prayer, true fasting, penance, and almsgiving.

May God help us to put his word into practice and to bear witness to him among our brothers and sisters. Have a good journey towards Easter and a fruitful Lent.

By: Gilbert Serge Assani Kakusu, M.Afr.

Living a Simple Lifestyle: A Missionary Witness

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

“She gave birth to her firstborn, a son… and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

A Legacy Rooted in the Gospel

The term “Simple Lifestyle” has been dear to our missionary Society since the time of our Founder, Cardinal Charles Lavigerie. But long before him, it was Jesus Christ who first embraced and modelled this way of life. Through his simplicity, Jesus revealed the heart of God: humble, present, and committed to those in need. Our call to simplicity is not just an institutional tradition, it is a response to the Gospel. In a world driven by consumerism and material success, living simply is a radical and essential witness. It aligns us with the mission of Christ and draws us nearer to those we serve. As missionaries, we are invited to follow this path, not out of obligation, but as a joyful and liberating way of discipleship.

Simplicity as Freedom for Mission

Three key words anchor this reflection: Simple, Life, and Style. When we meditate on Jesus’ life, we see a man who lived with freedom from possessions so he could focus entirely on his mission: “…to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free…” (Luke 4:18–19). Jesus’ simple lifestyle allowed him to remain close to people rich and poor alike. He dined with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10), welcomed lepers (Luke 17:11–19), and healed the blind beggar Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46–52). Simplicity opened doors to authentic encounters with all, regardless of status.

Simplicity as Life-Giving

Simplicity is not just a virtue, it is life-giving. Jesus’ way of living offered healing, hope, and transformation. He rejected luxury, chose compassion, and prioritized people over possessions. In the Gospels, we see this clearly: At the well, Jesus met the Samaritan woman with just a simple request: “Give me a drink” (John 4:7). That encounter led to her conversion and witness to her village. With a few loaves and fish, he fed thousands (Matthew 14:13–21). Through simple actions, Jesus revealed a God who is close, accessible, and loving.

Simplicity Builds Connection

In our mission today, simplicity allows us to be present and attentive. It invites others to feel and valued, just as Jesus did. It challenges individualism and promotes communion. As missionaries, we are called to live like Jesus, free from attachments and fully available for God’s work. Inspired by St. Paul’s words, “I have become all things to all people…” (1 Corinthians 9:22), and Cardinal Lavigerie’s call to “Be disciples, nothing else but disciples,” we are reminded that true discipleship is marked by simplicity and grace.

Simplicity Challenges Consumerism

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21).

These words challenge us deeply, especially in a world where value is too often measured by wealth and possessions. In this consumerist culture, many equate personal worth with what they own. But this mind-set risks distorting the Gospel and undermining human dignity. Our worth is not in owning more, but in serving more. Simplicity helps us refocus on values like solidarity, generosity, and trust in God’s providence.

Stewardship, not Ownership

A man of God must remember that what he receives is not for his own use but for the mission. Though we take an Oath of evangelical poverty, we are entrusted with resources, not for personal benefit, but to serve God’s people. What matters is not how much or how little we have, but how faithfully we manage it. Wise stewardship strengthens our credibility and witness, especially in a world where materialism is widespread.

A Critical Time for the Church

Today, we face a crucial moment in church history. In many western countries, Christianity is declining and with it, the number of long-time donors who supported mission work with love and sacrifice. At the same time, Christianity is growing in Africa and in other regions, yet these newly evangelized communities are still learning the importance of sharing responsibility for the Church’s mission. This calls for wisdom and foresight. We must manage our resources as prudent stewards while also inspiring the faithful to embrace a spirit of generosity. The mission belongs to everyone and is sustained by shared commitment.

Managing God’s Gifts Responsibly

The resources we receive in our mission stations are gifts from God, entrusted to us through the generosity of the faithful. These are not for personal comfort or prestige, but for service to build the Kingdom of God here and now. We are stewards, not owners. We must manage these gifts transparently and humbly. As Jesus taught: “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” (Luke 17:10) To manage these resources well, we must be prayerful, creative, and collaborative. This is not a personal task, but a community responsibility. That’s why regular training and formation are essential, to help priests and pastoral leaders rekindle a shared sense of mission.

Conclusion: ‘Simple Lifestyle’ as Testimony

A simple lifestyle is more than a moral choice, it is a living testimony of faith. It shows the world that another way is possible: a way rooted in humility, love, solidarity, and service. In choosing ‘Simple Life Style’, we follow the example of Christ and remain faithful to the legacy of our Founder. We proclaim, through our lives, that true richness lies not in material wealth, but in love freely given, resources humbly shared, and a mission joyfully embraced.

By: Kanto Karlus Hembram, M.Afr.

Second Sunday of Lent, Year A

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Heeding the Voice of God

Genesis 12:1-4 / Psalm 32(33) / 2 Timothy 1:8-10 / Matthew 17:1-9

On the second Sunday of Lent, Year A, our mother Church invites us to meditate on the transfiguration of our Lord Jesus; a moment when the three chosen disciples (Peter, James and John) witnessed the divine and glorious revelation of Jesus Christ on the Holy Mountain. This awe-inspiring and magnificent scene is reminiscent of Moses’ encounter with God on Mount Sinai, and later on in history that of Elijah. The two Old Testament figures, Moses representing the Law and Elijah representing the Prophets had, each one, an experience of the presence of God on the Holy Mountain. Their presence signals the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets in Jesus Christ, further depicting Mathew’s theological purpose to affirm to his fellow Jews that indeed in Jesus Christ, the Judaic messianic expectation is realized. 

The theophanic events of the bright cloud and God’s voice were the expression of God’s presence, in response to which the disciple’s prostration expressed reverence and awe at the experience of the dumbfounding mysterium tremendum. No doubt, all they needed was the life-giving and consoling touch from Jesus, followed by his reassuring words, ‘stand up, do not be afraid.’ The disciples’ glorious vision of Jesus was meant to strengthen their faith and hope in anticipation of the forthcoming Christ’ passion, to enable them to overcome the scandal of the Cross.

What constitutes the cream of Mathew’s transfiguration narrative lies in God’s proclamation and designation of his beloved Son as his spokesman, the only authorized and accredited divine teacher, the one whose voice the disciples ought to heed. It follows that all Christian teaching and doctrine ought to flow from this very source; from Christ the teacher par excellence. Indeed, today’s three readings demonstrate how lives and fates of humanity are defined and shaped by the response to God’s invitation, by heeding God’s voice. Precisely, listening or obeying God’s voice is the starting point of any faith journey. This is what happens in the first reading to the homeless and childless Abraham who ventured into the unknown, heeding God’s voice. It is also the call addressed to the young Timothy in the second reading by Paul, his imprisoned teacher and mentor, who exhorts him to endure and listen to the Gospel, for strength, courage and guidance mainly in times of trials and suffering. It is what happens in the Gospel to the three disciples who receive the voice from above commanding them to listen to the beloved Son of God.

A traditional word of wisdom recommends that, whenever you are invited to a dinner, avoid filling yourself with the appetizer or the preliminary dish, so as to spare enough space for the main course. At the glimpse of the glorious Jesus, Peter somehow wanted to transform the starter into the main course. He desired to overstay and continue savouring this splendid and eye-catching event. In our missionary journey, we certainly have had some sweet, awe-inspiring moments of prayer, contemplation, celebration, encounters and even ministries which we might have desired to last longer. Today we are reminded that such life-giving and transformative experiences should rather render us more agile to descend to the foot of the mountain and share the abundant fruits with our brothers and sisters who are eagerly waiting for our loving touch and presence. Heeding the voice of God reminds us that there is no need to overstay in such ecstatic and euphoric moods but rather go forth and meet God’s people on the most slippery slopes of the mountain of life; the people engulfed by the scandal of human indifference. These are slum dwellers, prisoners, street kids, homeless, widows and widowers, orphans, victims of terrorism and modern slavery, victims of economic injustice and political persecution, and the like. It is in them that the scandal of the Cross is perpetuated in the world today.

So let our current Lenten faith journey help us to come out of our comfort zones. Let us dare to come out of our well embellished chapels and sacristies, of our luxurious mansions, magnificently furnished sitting rooms and our air-conditioned rooms and offices. Let us give up our private and juicy projects, our sumptuous meals, our long hours on digital platforms and endless Netflix series. Heeding the voice of God reminds us that this mission is not our private affair but belongs to the Master. It existed before us, and it will certainly exist after us until the end of time. On this St John the Baptist is quite inspirational as he reminds us that the bride is not ours, she belongs to the bridegroom, to Christ (Jn 3:29). Thus, the possessive language and expressions like my parish, my project, my stagiaire, my Christians, my choirs, my dancers, my acolytes should have no space in our missionary enterprise. They do not reflect the Christocentric essence of our mission. We acquired nothing by ourselves but all is entrusted to us by God’s grace as friends of the Son of God.  

In a nutshell, let us always remember that we are among the most privileged, as partakers in Christ noble mission of proclaiming the salvific message of God’s love and compassion. Let us embrace it with joy and unwavering hope despite the challenges. Christ assures us that the joy it procures nobody can take it from us (Jn 16:22). We are surely not alone. As he did to Abraham, God invites us to take courage and trust the process without counting the costs but the abundant blessings.

By: Theobald Muchunguzi, M.Afr.

First Sunday of Lent, Year A

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Genesis 2:7-9,3:1-7 / Psalm 50(51) / Romans 5:12-19 / Matthew 4:1-11

At the beginning of Lent, the liturgy presents us with the story of Jesus’ first struggle, the story of the temptations, as an urgent invitation to enter into our own inner struggle.

The Gospel of Matthew recounts how, immediately after his baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert. Matthew was undoubtedly thinking of the desert of Judea, where John the Baptist had preached. It was a remote place where one could live in solitude, sheltered from prying eyes. In Jesus’ time, a certain Jewish group, the Essenes, had withdrawn to this desert of Judea to assemble the faithful people of God. But Jesus did not withdraw to the desert to remain there. Jesus’ passage through the desert is meaningful only in relation to his public activity, which would take place among the people, travelling through their towns and villages.

Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert. According to Jewish tradition, Moses also spent 40 days in the desert, during which God miraculously fed him. Jesus, as a new Moses leading his people to liberation and true knowledge of God, fasts not as an ascetic practice to enable him to confront the devil, but to signify, like Moses, his attentive listening and complete submission to the Father’s will, from whom he expects everything.

Then the devil comes to tempt him, and it is a real temptation. It is not a question of testing Jesus to strengthen him. He wants to make him fall in a very concrete way: he wants him to abandon his vocation as an obedient Son.

Jesus is hungry. And that’s normal, because he is truly human! The devil then suggests that he overcome this difficulty in his own interest by using his authority as the Son of God, thus diverting him from his vocation as the obedient Son who relies exclusively on his Father.

Jesus does not respond directly to each temptation! He always responds using the Scriptures. This demonstrates the foundation of his attitude: he chooses to remain human, to remain a faithful Jew who relies on the Word of God. Thus, he can retort to the devil that man cannot live on bread alone.

In the second temptation, the devil proposes that Jesus perform a spectacular miracle, using his power as the Son for something the Father did not ask him to do. He wants Jesus to prove himself independent of his Father.

Jesus responds, again through the Scriptures, as an expression of his complete obedience. Jesus, while he is the Messiah, the Saviour, will not be so in an autonomous manner. He will follow his Father’s will in all things.

The third temptation is flawed at its root. The devil offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, and yet the world does not belong to him. The world belongs to God alone, its creator. What the devil offers Jesus is his grip on the powers of this world, in contradiction to God’s original plan. The power that the devil offers is illusory because it is based on division, of which he is the master.

Jesus understands this temptation as a choice between a distorted form of power and filial service: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.’ Jesus radically assumes and constantly recalls his condition as a Servant.

Jesus is clear in his response to each temptation. There is no room for misunderstanding or ambiguity in his words or attitudes. He explicitly names the devil and dismisses him with authority: ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ It is an authority born of his humility and the freedom that comes from recognising that he is dependent on the Father.

The Spirit urges us today, at the beginning of Lent, to enter into the dynamic of the desert, to be silent within ourselves, and to listen to the will of the Father. For the desert fathers and in the tradition of the desert monks, the advantage of being in the desert was that the devil had nowhere to hide and could be seen from afar. This image still speaks to us today! This time of desert to which Lent invites us is also a privileged moment to see which and how temptations distract us from our primary vocation. With the noise and activity of everyday life, we may be unable to spot them. We may have become accustomed to a certain ambiguity in our attitudes or to inner discourses that comfort us within a realm of light and obscurity. The first temptation might speak to us of the desire to control and use material goods; the second, of the desire for fame or even to force God’s hand; the third, of the desire for power… What Jesus’ attitude shows us is that at the root of each temptation is the desire to separate us from the Father and turn us away from our filial vocation, which is to be servants who expect everything from Him.

Let us then ask for the grace of silence, truth and humility of one who places all his trust in the Lord alone and hopes everything from Him.

By: Gonzalo Martín Bartolomé, M.Afr.

Rudolf Kriegisch R.I.P.

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

Society of the Missionaries of Africa
Father Ludwig Peschen, Provincial Delegate of the sector of Germany,
informs you of the return to the Lord of Father

Rudolf Kriegisch

on Thursday, 19th February 2026 in Balingen (Germany)
at the age of 96 years, of which 66 years of missionary life
in Tanzania,  Kenya, and Germany.

Let us pray for him and for his loved ones.

Download here the announcement of Father Rudolf Kriegisch’s death

Milestones in the life of Father Rudolf Kriegisch

Born in:
Zuckmantel
on 29/09/1929		Spiritual YearMissionary OathPriestly
Ordination
Diocese:
Ostrava-Opava		05/09/195520/06/195919/09/1959
Citizenship:
German		Alexandria Bay
(United States of America)		Eastview
(Canada)		Eastview
(Canada)

Bionotes

30/03/1960EtudesFrankfurtDeutschland
13/01/1962TaboraTanzania
07/07/1962VicaireUrambo, D. TaboraTanzania
26/04/1963Petit Sémin.ItagaTanzania
01/12/1969Parish PriestUpugeTanzania
01/11/1972Parish PriestKaliuaTanzania
13/10/1977Etudes (Liturgy)TrierDeutschland
01/12/1978Parish PriestKaliuaTanzania
01/01/1984O.R. CatechumenateMakokolaTanzania
01/01/1985N.L.C. +Prof.MakokolaTanzania
01/01/1990Facilitator Pr. Ren. PEldoretKenya
17/07/1990Curate, then P.P. inteKaliuaTanzania
01/02/1994FondationNguruka, D. TaboraTanzania
27/07/2000Session Psychoth.MünsterschwarzachDeutschland
27/07/2000Parish PriestNguruka, D. TaboraTanzania
01/05/2004RésidenceMünchenDeutschland
01/09/2023ResidenceHechingenDeutschland
19/02/2026DCD (96)BalingenDeutschland

Kungoni Centre of Culture & Art celebrates its 50th Anniversary

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Training on Safeguarding for the Missionaries of Africa working in Ghana/Nigeria Province

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Celebration of Saint Josephine Bakhita and the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking in Brussels, 2026

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On Saturday afternoon, February 7, about sixty people, including members of ten religious congregations, gathered at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament – la Viale Europe in Brussels to commemorate Saint Bakhita and to pray and denounce human trafficking and modern slavery.

The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Peace Begins with Dignity:  A Global Call to End Human Trafficking”.

In her introductory remarks, Sister Françoise Coppieters, member of the Religious of the Assumption, welcomed all those present on behalf of RENATE, the network of religious men and women committed to combating human trafficking and exploitation in Europe. She made the connection of the feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita and the International Day of Prayer and Awareness. Using figures and statistics, she gave an overview of human trafficking worldwide as well as in Belgium.

Then, Ms. Monka Kuseke and her two daughters, Bakhita and Julienne, reenacted the decisive moments in the life of Saint Bakhita, from her childhood to her captivity, her life as a slave, until her liberation and her Christian and religious vocation.

Five candles, each representing a vulnerable group — abused children, exploited girls and women, migrants, and refugees — as well as one of the five fundamental values—peace, faith, love, justice, and hope — were then carried in procession to the altar. In accordance with these values, each and everyone is invited to commit to human dignity.

The recitation of Psalm 115 and the reading of the Gospel according to Saint Luke 4:14-21 reminded us of the importance of breaking the chains of those in captivity in order to set them free!

Sister Marie-Joséphine Fernando, Religious of the Good Shepherd, spoke about the SAWA association, which offers help and support to people caught up in prostitution networks. She gave a very concrete testimony of a woman who was able to be freed and regain her dignity after finding a job.

The Taizé refrain, “Abana fi yadayka ousalimou rouhy” in Arabic, meaning “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” created an atmosphere of international prayer. This intention for the whole world continued during the intercessory prayer.

Each candle represented a continent, and the prayers expressed the tragedies experienced by people: exploitation in mines in Africa; the trafficking of girls and women around the world; the violation of human dignity in so many countries, even democratic ones; the abuse suffered by people forced into prostitution; the exploitation and vulnerability of people without official papers due to their lack of legal status. The free, very moving prayer allowed everyone to place a small candle on the world map.

The prayer ended with the Our Father recited in the different languages spoken by the members of the assembly. Before concluding, the prayer of Saint Josephine Bakhita was distributed and read with reverence.

The blessing, sung in Malagasy by Sister Lucie Vololoniaina, Religious of the Good Shepherd, reflected the intercultural dimension of the celebration.

The five candles were raised and directed towards the four cardinal points, accompanied by wishes from Sister Bénédicte Goorissen, Sacred Heart sister.

After the celebration, all the participants continued their discussions with a glass in their hand. Contacts were made and information and addresses exchanged. The meeting ended in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere!

May Saint Josephine Bakhita grant peace and dignity to all!

By: Andreas Göpfert, M.Afr.
Member of RENATE and the preparation team

Missionaries of Africa
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