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The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 2025

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Conceived without sin, without deceptive or manipulative mind

Genesis 3:9-15,20 / Psalm 97(98) / Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12 / Luke 1:26-38

Today the Church celebrates the very important solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We celebrate it to honour mother Mary as the only human person conceived without sin. Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary, were wealthy people, yet chose to live a very simple life by sharing their wealth with the poor, and living in piety. They kept praying to God for a child with the promise that if God gave them a child, they would dedicate it to the service of God. God couldn’t have doubted that promise, because though they were rich, they didn’t allow pride to destroy their faith. Indeed, they recognized God as the source of riches, which they used to his glory. They were ready to be Mary’s parents, because their faith and intentions prepared the grounds for Mary’s conception This became the foundation on which God would build His plan for the coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ. When we reflect on Mary’s life, on her simplicity, humility, perseverance, etc. we can more easily believe that she truly was conceived without sin.

The first reading of today reveals the roots of evil: deception, manipulation, pollution, distraction and other shrewd ways which draw people away from God’s love. These are often used by people who appear outwardly good and innocent, but in fact destroy the social order.

In this reading four characters appear: God, Adam, Eve and the serpent. God desires a life of grace for Adam and Eve (humanity), but the serpent (the devil) seeks to destroy this plan. He claims to offer better advice than God. He deceives the woman who is receptive and through her Adam also agrees. After this, the serpent disappears. Once traitors achieve their goal they disappear from the scene, leaving their victims to face the consequences. This was now the situation of Adam and Eve, and guilt begins to torture them immediately. They try to escape, but don’t know where to go. In our days, too, there are still traitors. It could be our own desires or other people, or external things such as money, power, wealth, fame, etc. All these things entice us and lead us astray.

This reading raises the issue of responsibility. God calls Adam, and asks him where he was. Adam had to bear the greater blame. Despite his attempt to shift blame, God still held him accountable because he was entrusted with the garden and with Eve. God then condemned the serpent for deceiving Eve and Adam and destroying the trust God had built with them. In most cases, traitors believe that they will escape unnoticed but eventually their actions expose them and they suffer the consequences of their actions. God allows them the freedom to act, and they think that they are the winners but justice comes in due time. Once trust is destroyed, enmity replaces friendship. solidarity gives way to egoism, unity to division and harmony to chaos.

The gospel of Luke tells the story of the Annunciation, introducing to us Mary as the woman chosen to bear the Son of God, who will restore our broken relationship with God. The message was overwhelming and frightening, yet Mary recognised the voice of God in it. Like her parents, she acknowledged God as the source of her life. This is how Mary was prepared to be the mother of God.

A good action or decision taken, is a seed sown, which will grow from generation to generation and bear lots of fruits. Parents have a huge role to play in promoting good moral values for their children and policy makers in enacting good policies, thereby shaping the direction society should take. Leaders in general have to enact good laws and social norms, not for selfish gains as Adam and Eve did, but rather for the sake of posterity as Mary demonstrated. God gave humanity the task to subdue the world, not only for the sake of one’s own family, or community, but in a way that makes the world a true home for all peoples and generations. Saints Anne and Joachim sowed the seeds of piety and generosity, producing abundant fruit in Mary. Mary’s faith bore immeasurable fruit in Jesus. When we recognize that all that we have comes from God and that we are stewards, rather than owners, then God can work wonders through us. We are therefore blessed with Mary, for through her God’s love for humanity reaches its fullness in Jesus Christ.

As the second reading reminds us, God sent His Son out of love for us so that through Him we all might be saved. The world may at first sight seem to be full of evil, because of the many challenges there are, but on the contrary, it remains full of goodness and blessings. That is why we are grateful to God for his son Jesus who has shown us how to cultivate good morals and good habits because they enable us to enjoy the riches God has given us. Mary, the saints, the martyrs, and also our founder Cardinal Lavigerie have shown us the path of sacrifice, charity and selflessness which leads us into the hidden mystery of God (Mt 10:39).

By: Josephat Diyuo, M.Afr.

Second Sunday of Advent Year A

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Called to be and to act from a clean vessel, that is, from a pure heart nourished by prayer, constant conversion, and active love.

Isaiah 11:1-10 / Psalm 71(72) / Romans 15:4-9 / Matthew 3:1-12

“One day, old Thierno asked me to serve him a glass of water. When I served it to him, I realised the water wasn’t clean. So I said to him, ‘Old Thierno, give me back the water, I’ll get another glass.’ He held my hand and motioned for me to sit down. Then he asked me, ‘Is it the water that’s dirty, or is it the glass you served me in?’ On second thoughts, I realised the water came from a new bottle I had just opened myself. So, it couldn’t be the water; it had to be the glass. Thierno looked at me and said that this nuance is something that society as a whole does today. Many people think the water is dirty, when in reality the container itself is dirty from the outset.

Many people criticise religion, when in reality the teachings have always been the same, but the people who receive these teachings within themselves are dirty and obscure. Our hearts are the problem. Our hearts are sick and dehumanised, and people do not realise it. How can you expect anything positive or constructive to come from a sick heart? And then we blame God, we blame others, when in reality the problem lies within us, inside us. If a container is not clean, you can put anything in it; the container will make it dirty, no matter how valuable what you put in it is.” (Story adapted by Jean-Paul Guibila from the book by Monique Mazars, A cœur ouvert, Sirius Editions, 2025)

And where do we fit into all this?

The Word of God on this second Sunday of Advent calls us to clear away the obstacles in our hearts. The story of old Thierno reminds us that Advent invites us to be and to act from a clean vessel, that is, from a pure heart nourished by prayer, constant conversion, and active love.

The season of Advent, a time of joyful waiting, helps us understand that this waiting is not the same as inaction and that we should not think we are already saved because we are Christians, or even missionaries. ‘Be converted,’ Saint John exhorts us.

This waiting is the dynamic search for God’s mercy; it is the conversion of the heart; it is the search for the presence of the Lord who has come, who is coming and who will come. The season of Advent, in short, is ‘a conversion that passes from the heart to actions and consequently to the entire life of the Christian’ (Saint John Paul II).

Hope (the theme of the Jubilee Year) fills us with life and consolation, and above all with the certainty of our redemption, accomplished in Jesus Christ. But to wait worthily for the coming of our Redeemer, we must prepare our ‘glass or receptacle,’ that is, our soul. This is why the Gospel puts this urgent invitation into the mouth of John the Baptist, echoing the messianic proclamation of the prophet Isaiah: ‘A voice cries out in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths’ (Mt 3:3; Is 40:3).

Preparing the way of the Lord means walking a path of conversion (which is above all a personal questioning) through a life of grace, prayer, and worthy reception of the sacraments; through humility, charity, service, forgiveness, generosity in our relationships with our fellow human beings, and a sincere search for God in all circumstances. Moving from installation to uninstallation, from “I” to “we”, with Jesus as our compass.

For our personal reflection and prayer

Old Thierno, in line with the Word of God for this second Sunday of Advent, invites us to introspection: before questioning (challenging) others, let us question ourselves. Let us ask ourselves what kind of vessel we want to be before we seek to receive Jesus, who is born in our hearts. Before proclaiming the Master, let us take off our sandals and be humble, for we are but a small pencil that He uses to write His message of love for humanity. This is the price we must pay to help fulfil the first reading of this second Sunday of Advent (Is 11:1-10).

If we want Jesus to find us well disposed, we must practice authentic Christian living; this means ‘bearing the fruits of conversion’; we must open our hearts wide to Christ, banishing all selfishness, pride and sectarianism from ourselves, breaking down the walls of division, hatred and sectarianism so that He can be born in our souls and in our daily lives as we prepare for the feast of Christmas. His grace is sufficient for us if we believe in it and cooperate with that same grace. As disciples of Christ, we should take up and live out the invitation of John the Baptist, who invites us individually and collectively to be bridges of peace, justice, love and reconciliation for ourselves and for the world. In doing so, we will make the kingdom of God present in human society.

Happy Advent.

By: Jean-Paul Guibila, M.Afr.

Official Logo of the Society of Missionaries of Africa

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Piet van Hulten R.I.P.

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Society of the Missionaries of Africa
Father Jozef de Bekker, Provincial Delegate of the sector of The Netherlands,
informs you of the return to the Lord of Father

Piet van Hulten

on Tuesday, 2nd December 2025 in Heythuysen (Netherlands)
at the age of 89 years, of which 62 years of missionary life
in Malawi and the Netherlands.

Let us pray for him and for his loved ones.

Download here the announcement of Father Piet van Hulten’s death

Milestones in the life of Father Piet van Hulten

Born in:
Gunneken Bavel
on 02/06/1936		Spiritual YearMissionary OathPriestly
Ordination
Diocese:
Breda		07/09/195926/06/196304/07/1964
Citizenship:
Dutch		Dorking
(Great Britain)		Totteridge
(Great Britain)		Kaatsheuvel
(Netherlands)

Bionotes

31/12/1964Mzimba, D. MzuzuMalawi
01/01/1966Katete, D. MzuzuMalawi
01/05/1968SupérieurKatete, D. MzuzuMalawi
01/07/1969VicaireMzimbaMalawi
01/04/1970SupérieurMzimbaMalawi
10/04/1973SupérieurKarongaMalawi
01/01/1981SupérieurMzambaziMalawi
01/01/1982CurateKaseye, D. MzuzuMalawi
01/09/1990Regional CouncillorMalawi
01/09/1990Parish PriestKaseye, D. MzuzuMalawi
15/08/1991Parish PriestKatete, D. MzuzuMalawi
01/09/1994Dist.+Reg.CouncillorMalawi
01/09/1994CurateNkhata Bay, D. MzuzuMalawi
01/08/1997District Council.Malawi
01/07/1998Parish PriestKaseye, D. MzuzuMalawi
01/11/1999Change nom ParoisseChitipa, D. MzuzuMalawi
01/12/2001MinistryMzuzuMalawi
01/07/2003District SuperiorLilongwe, D. LilongweMalawi
09/01/2004Appointes 1st Counc.Malawi
01/01/2010MinistryMzuzuMalawi
01/09/2014FormationBalakaMalawi
01/09/2017MinistryLilongweMalawi
01/07/2018MinistryLilongwe, ChinsapoMalawi
01/07/2019Nommé PEP (PE 7/19)Nederland
02/12/2025DCD (89)HeythuysenNederland

First Sunday of Advent Year A

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From Sinful Sleepiness to Readiness to Welcome the Lord who Returns

Isaiah 2:1-5 / Psalm 121(122) / Romans 13:11-14 / Matthew 24:37-44

The Advent Season reminds Christians who wait for the return of their Lord that his coming is ever nearer. It is a season of double expectation: the commemoration of the first coming of the Messiah celebrated at Christmas, and the preparation for his second coming. Among many themes from today’s liturgy of the word, we would like to focus on the pressing call to rise from distracted and compromising life in the darkness, to be vested in Christ in the Gospel values, in light.

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah’s vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem reveals the vocation of all humanity to be gathered together on the Mountain of the Lord. Although Sion, the Mountain of the Lord, is far from being the highest mountain geographically, it hosts the temple of the Lord, the symbol of God’s presence. The prophet’s vision is thus an expression of the absolute and incomparable nature of God. Therefore, the prophet Isaiah not only evokes the pilgrimage of the Jews to Jerusalem, but also, he shows that all nations will recognise the Lord and go up to Jerusalem because of the presence of God, not just to admire the mountain or the beauty of the temple, but to be instructed in God’s ways (Is. 2:3). As a consequence, once all nations would flock to Jerusalem, they will be instructed to follow the ways of the Lord, and the instruments of war will be turned into agricultural instruments (Is 2: 4). Implicitly, the prophet Isaiah teaches us, that learning the ways of Lord is not a mere decoration, or receiving a Christian name; it implies a change of behaviour that contradicts God’s presence and be a living testimony of peace and harmony.

The psalmist highlights the disposition of a worshipper who holds Jerusalem dear: “I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Ps 122: 1-2). The mere invitation to go up to Jerusalem constitutes a source of joy. Unlike today’s attitude of some worshippers who do not distinguish the Church from any other hall, he testifies that going to the mountain of the Lord, Jerusalem, is an act of worship. As he stands in the gates of Jerusalem, “and now our feet are standing within your gates”, he does not recall the hardships of the journey; he rather focuses on praising God, and rather than pouring out his requests, he prays for the peace of Israel and his inhabitants. Though he recognises the primacy of Israel as the chosen people, he acknowledges Jerusalem’s vocation for all the tribes of the Lord. This pilgrim could be a prototype for conversion in prayer. Very often, people’s prayers are self-centred: They neither praise God nor intercede for others; they always have endless lists of demands. The psalmist inspires an awakening call from self-centeredness to God-centeredness and altruistic centeredness.

The second reading and the Gospel call for spiritual alertness. In the Gospel, Jesus defines his relationship with his disciples as a master and servant. “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Mt 24:42). Waiting for the Master is a must for a servant. Hence, striving to stay awake is not a privilege given to the Lord; it is a duty that stems from faithfulness. In the same line, Jesus employs two comparisons. The first recalls the story of Noah, when people were eating, drinking and marrying. The problem is not what they did in their social life; the only issue seems that they did not realise the danger until the time Noah entered into the ark (Mt 24: 38). That is to say, the alertness to get ready for the coming of the Lord passes through the details of ordinary life. The second comparison shifts the emphasis to personal awareness. Two men and two women who are on duty, one will be taken and the other left. It follows that the preparation to receive the Lord is more than a communitarian activity; it is a personal commitment. It is not enough to console oneself that we are all priests, religious, confreres, etc, still one needs to check one’s own preparation. Besides, we should take seriously the fact that Advent embraces two dimensions, the eschatological, the second coming of the Lord which we proclaim at Mass when we say “Christ will come again”, and the personal journey to death that each of us must make. The question would be: Am I prepared to go to the New Jerusalem?

St. Paul, in the second reading, using the concepts of darkness and light, admonishes the Romans to get ready in terms of repentance. Time management seems crucial because Christ is coming. The urgency is underlined through a triple call: The time has come, our salvation is nearer, and the night is almost over, and a triple invitation: Let us cast off the works of darkness, let us walk properly as in the daytime, but put on Jesus Christ. Salvation and night are opposites, hence the believer who awaits salvation ought to get out of the cover of the night characterised by orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality, sensuality, quarrelling and jealousy. It follows that Christianity is not a club to join when one wishes, as he wishes; it is a lifelong commitment defined by the Word of God.

In a nutshell, the Advent season is not a mere waiting idly for the coming of the Lord; it is a reminder that we are on a pilgrimage to the celestial Jerusalem; we walk in the ways of the Lord and not according to our desires. Advent is a call for the change of mentality from worldly pleasures to heavenly delights; an invitation to be aware that we do not have time to procrastinate the conversion to tomorrow, for the time to get into the ark is here and now.

Happy Advent.

By: Gilbert Rukundo, M.Afr.

Safeguarding Newsletter, No. 3 November 2025

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Godfried Trypsteen R.I.P.

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Society of the Missionaries of Africa
Father André Simonart, Provincial Delegate of the sector of Belgium,
informs you of the return to the Lord of Father

Godfried Trypsteen

on Tuesday, 25th November 2025 in Brugge (Belgium)
at the age of 92 years, of which 67 years of missionary life
in DR Congo and Belgium.

Let us pray for him and for his loved ones.

Download here the announcement of Father Godfried Trypsteen’s death

Milestones in the life of Father Godfried Trypsteen

Born in:
Furnes
on 26/06/1933		Spiritual YearMissionary OathPriestly
Ordination
Diocese:
Brugge		07/09/195405/07/195807/02/1959
Citizenship:
Belgian		Varsenare
(Belgium)		Heverlee
(Belgium)		Furnes
(Belgium)

Bionotes

01/09/1959Service MilitaireLouvainBelgique
01/04/1960BukavuCongo
01/09/1960VicaireKabareCongo
07/01/1961Prof. E.A.P.KabareCongo
01/08/1961Petit SéminaireMugeriCongo
01/07/1965Kadutu, BukavuCongo
01/09/1967Evénements, est enBelgique
01/10/1967Surveillant CollègeMenenBelgique
01/09/1968Prof. Ath. RoyalIbanda (Bukavu)Congo
01/09/1969VicaireKadutuCongo
01/09/1972VicaireKashofuCongo
28/01/1979VicaireMurhesaCongo
01/10/1987VicaireCiherano, D. BukavuZaïre S.E.
01/05/1989Curé + Resp.Bumpeta, D. BukavuZaïre S.E.
05/10/1990CuréBumpeta, D. BukavuZaïre S.E.
25/02/2001VicaireKatoy, N. D. d’AfriqueCongo S.E.
15/07/2005AumônierVarsenareBelgique
01/07/2017RésidenceVarsenare, KasteelBelgique
25/11/2025DCD (92)BruggeBelgique

Bicentenary Celebration of the Birth of Cardinal Charles Lavigerie in Malindi, Kenya

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

On the 16th of November 2025, the Missionaries of Africa Community (M.Afr.) and the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (MSOLA) serving in the diocese of Malindi celebrated with joy and gladness the 200 years of our founder Charles Lavigerie. We were honoured to have as the main celebrant of the Eucharistic celebration his Lordship, Rt. Rev. Willybard Lagho, Bishop of Malindi concelebrate by Fr. Leo Laurence Assistant Superior General of the M.Afr. and other priests. From Nairobi a delegation of the Lavigerie Family in Kenya consisting of one confrere, one MSOLA Sister and one Lady from the Lavigerie Lay Missionaries Association, joined us in lifting our prayers and thanksgiving to God in memory of Cardinal Lavigerie, his prophetic inspiration and the charism he handed over to us. Together with all the parish community we celebrated three other events n the same celebration: the Parish Family Day of St. Catherine of Alexandria, patron saint of the parish, the administration of the sacrament of Confirmation and of the sacrament of first Holy Communion. It was a day of praise and thanksgiving to God for faithfulness and loving compassion in our life as a parish and as a Society. As we could sing together: “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8)

What kind of mission do the M.Afr. and the MSOLA do in Malindi ?

The MSOLA Community of Pope Francis Rescue Centre Malindi serves in a diocesan project that rescues and supports sexually abused children, journeys with their family members, takes their cases to courts, does psycho-social support, helps children to continue their education and skills training and helps vulnerable families to start a small business.

The Missionaries of Africa community serves in St Catherine Parish, Tarasaa, in an environment of majority Muslims. The Catholic faithful are a minority among Christian denominations. The environment of the parish is a fertile land for ecumenical encounters and interfaith dialogue, and also for justice and peace ministry, necessary because of conflicts and tribal clashes. That is why we are very much involved in these activities both at parish and diocesan levels. We use both ecumenism and interfaith dialogue as tools for community peace building, reconciliation and promotion of social justice. As a parish, our first goal is proclamation and evangelisation; we do catechesis even in neighbouring high schools for YCS. We also engage in youth ministry, in this way promoting peaceful cohabitation among the communities through sports and cultural activities. Our parish compound has become a meeting place also for youths and children from others churches and religions, especial Muslims. Other places of interreligious dialogue and encounter are our school and dispensary.

Together in prayer as pilgrims of the Gospel and of hope, may we continue sowing the seeds of love, peace and justice for a better world, walking together in the footsteps of our Founder Cardinal Lavigerie. May his zeal for mission and passion for Africa keep our hearts burning to live truly the gospel values in building witnessing communities and making ourselves everything to everybody (Le tout à tous).

By: Fidèle M. Mugalihya, M.Afr.

Bartolomé M. Burgos R.I.P.

Posted on by Vitus Danaa Abobo

Society of the Missionaries of Africa
Father Manuel Osa, Provincial Delegate of the sector of Spain,
informs you of the return to the Lord of Father

Bartolomé M. Burgos

on Wednesday, 19th November 2025 in Madrid (Spain)
at the age of 89 years, of which 66 years of missionary life
in Uganda, Great Britain, Ireland, Soudan, Italie, Jérusalem, Ghana and Spain.

Let us pray for him and for his loved ones.

Download here the announcement of Father Bartolomé M. Burgos’ death

Milestones in the life of Father Bartolomé M. Burgos

Born in:
Totana
on 11/01/1936		Spiritual YearMissionary OathPriestly
Ordination
Diocese:
Cartagena		27/09/195526/06/195929/01/1960
Citizenship:
Spanish		Maison-Carrée
(Algeria)		Carthage
(Tunisia)		Madrid
(Spain)

Bionotes

01/09/1960Etudes PhilosophieRomaItalia
30/06/1962LogroñoEspaña
30/06/1968Stage d’anglaisLondonGrande-Bretagne
01/01/1969Centre de langueMugalike, D. HoimaUganda
01/07/1969VicaireBujuniUganda
04/05/1970VicaireKakindoUganda
15/06/1970VicaireHoimaUganda
31/07/1970VicaireKakindoUganda
01/07/1972Nommé:Circ. MGTotteridgeGrande-Bretagne
24/06/1973PE.73/7:nomméDublinIreland
01/01/1975ProfesseurDublin, TempleogueIreland
01/04/1975ProvincialMadridEspaña
01/07/1979Prov.:2ème mandatMadridEspaña
29/09/1982Session-RetraiteJérusalemIsraël
01/07/1983SupérieurToritSudan
01/09/1993Tranfert SéminaireKhartoumSudan
02/05/1996Année sabbatiqueRomaItalia
01/09/1997CIDAFMadrid, MenorcaEspaña
04/09/1997Nommé Conseil. Prov.España
25/10/1997Déf. Thèse Doct. Phil.RomaItalia
09/11/1998Elu Conseiller Prov.España
14/12/1998Elu Premier Conseil.España
03/12/2004Supérieur, SessionsJérusalemJérusalem/ Palestine
01/01/2008FormationEjisu, 1st PhaseGhana
01/09/2011Fundación SurMadridEspaña
03/10/2012Session SeniorRomaItalia
01/09/2023MinistèreMadrid, LiebreEspaña
19/11/2025DCD (89)MadridEspaña

Pilgrimage in the footsteps of Cardinal Lavigerie – Bayonne, 31st October 2025

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Friday, 31 October 2025

Today, the 200th anniversary of our founder’s birth, was celebrated at Bayonne Cathedral. In this place, Charles Lavigerie was confirmed and received the Holy Spirit, which made him, like all baptised persons, a missionary sent to proclaim the Good News.

The day began with a guided tour of the cathedral dedicated to Mary by its parish priest. The cathedral is a veritable book that has preserved traces of history throughout its evolution, from English to French rule, from the destruction of the Revolution to the changes of the post-Vatican II period, a stopover on the pilgrims’ route to Santiago de Compostela.

On the eve of All Saints’ Day, we took a tour of the saints represented in the side chapels behind the choir. We stopped at St. Martin, whose pilgrimage was an important milestone in the Cardinal’s life, where he had a dream of men of colour shortly before receiving his call to the bishopric of Algiers. The last chapel had no decoration, perhaps due to a lack of funding? Or to leave a place for the Cardinal? As sons and daughters of Lavigerie, we spotted the pelican painted above one of the saints.

Missionaries of Africa from Billère and Spain arrived for the day, as they had the day before, making the round trip in a single day, along with others from Belgium.

The Mass was presided over by Bishop Marc Aillet, in the presence of the retired bishop emeritus, who is close to our community in Billère. In his homily, the bishop in his homily, took up the rich sharing of the previous day’s round table discussion, gave thanks for the missionary impetus brought by our presence to the Church of Bayonne, and took up the interior missionary attitudes emphasised in Pope Paul VI’s apostolic exhortation Evangelii nuntiandi on the evangelisation of the modern world, the 50th anniversary of which we are celebrating this year: under the inspiration of the Spirit, authenticity of witness, unity, truth, animated by love marked by respect, concern not to hurt, with the fervour of the saints.

The bishop recognised the fervour of our assembly, which was ready to participate more fully and express itself in the very structured liturgy. The liturgy ended with a procession and a song in Swahili, sending us forth on mission.

All the pilgrims continued the communion by celebrating and sharing a cold buffet in a bar/club dedicated to bullfighting, so dear to the people of Bayonne. It was a time to thank the organisers, Sr Cécile and Fr Michel, and Mr Olivier from the tourist office.

This anniversary date marked the solemn signing of the memorandum of understanding between the two missionary societies, M.Afr and SMNDA, for the Adjumani project in northern Uganda, as well as the launch of the Lavigerie App. These symbolic gestures place this collaboration under the protection of our founder.

The theme of the pilgrimage was ‘As a family in Bayonne’. Throughout these three days, the family spirit was evident in many ways. People who were meeting for the first time quickly found something to share, expressed words of gratitude, and made gestures as one does among brothers and sisters of the same family:

While taking a family photo at the Church of the Holy Spirit, a father spontaneously placed his rosary around the neck of the bishop emeritus. We mentioned earlier that he was close to the confreres of Billère. We love him as a confrere…

At the end of the Mass, we greeted a gentleman who is actually the great-grandnephew of one of the Missionaries of Africa from Bayonne. It was an opportunity for him to meet members of his uncle’s religious family.

Two ladies who knew the Sisters and attended catechism classes at their home told us, “You left, and it was very painful. You have returned to us in such large numbers after so many years, from so many countries, and we are deeply moved!’

A member of Lavigerie’s family, expressing gratitude for the mutual enrichment, said: ’You are the sons and daughters of Lavigerie; we are only his descendants.” Nevertheless, we are one family!

Christian, one of Lavigerie’s great-grandnephews, told us that his daughter is currently restoring the museum in Carthage, which Bishop Lavigerie founded. She was unaware of this family connection with her great ancestor, but it is as if a circle has been closed. Africa is a family affair! Coincidence? Providence? …

The archivists are making efforts to find the original baptismal certificate (which has been lost) of Charles Lavigerie. We only have a photo of it…

We can also applaud the boldness of the elected officials of the city of Bayonne, who have promised to restore the statue of the Cardinal to its former glory and to take advantage of the inauguration of the Bonnat Museum to revive the memory of our founder.

We thank the bishop who made himself available to preside over the Eucharist and the laity who, in a truly synodal spirit, did not miss this opportunity to rediscover their ancestor, Charles Martial Allemand Lavigerie, and his work. What a joy to find ourselves in such a large extended family! Unforgettable days, unforgettable Lavigerie!

At the heart of this world, the breath of the Spirit
echoes the cry of the Good News
At the heart of this world, the breath of the Spirit
is bringing new energies to life today.

By: Gisela Schreyer, Marie-Christine Rousseau and Pierre Petitfour.

Missionaries of Africa
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