On the 31st of October, the Missionaries of Africa (M.Afr.) and the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (MSOLA) gathered at the Generalate of the M.Afr. in Rome, Italy, with great excitement and gratitude to God to celebrate the beginning of the bicentenary anniversary of the birth of their founder Cardinal Charles Martial Allemand Lavigerie.
The event was also graced by some other consecrated men and women living in Rome. We were also blessed with the presence of three bishops, Bishop Placide Lubamba of Kasongo Diocese and Bishop Christophore Amade of Kalemie-Kirungu Diocese, both from DR Congo, and Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo of Oyo Diocese in Nigeria.
Sr. Angela Kapitingana’s inaugural speech
At the beginning of the Eucharistic celebration, the Superior General of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, Rev. Sr. Angela Kapitingana (MSOLA), highlighted the importance of inaugurating this bicentenary year of the birth of our founder. According to her, this year grants us the occasion to celebrate Lavigerie’s legacy, ‘to reflect on his profound impact on our world, and to deepen our understanding of his prophetic and heroic embodiment of our charism in our time.’ She reminded us that the activities and reflections in the months preceding the actual jubilee are meant to help us reconnect with our founder’s wisdom and spiritual life. This will then inspire us to embrace our calling with enthusiasm and compassion.
Highlighting the importance of cultivating a deep spiritual life, she reminded us of the words of Lavigerie: ‘Apostles must not be holy only for themselves but must have within themselves such an abundance of supernatural life that they can radiate it in millions of souls, especially those who are most abandoned’ (Thoughts of Lavigerie, N° 25). Concluding her inaugural message, Rev. Sr. Angela Kapitingana, admonished us to cultivate a deep spiritual life which will transform us into vessels of hope, compassion and strength for those in need.
Father Stanley Lubungo’s homily
During the Eucharistic celebration to mark the event, the Superior General of the Missionaries of Africa, Rev. Father Stanley Lubungo, (M.Afr.) emphasised in his homily the importance of this commemoration, saying ‘it is a privileged moment for each of us to revisit the heritage of Lavigerie in order to rekindle the commitment which unites us in the mission.’ He went further to highlight two elements of our founder’s legacy: his call to us to ‘Be apostles, be nothing but apostles’ and his love for the African continent.
He went on to explain these two aspects of Lavigerie’s legacy. The words of our founder, Be apostles, be nothing but Apostles’, continue to resonate deeply for us today, as they remind us that our vocation can neither be partial nor intermittent. Our founder’s vision is that we remain in a permanent state of apostolate, just like Pope Francis reminded us in his apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium n° 25, to be always be in a ‘permanent state of mission’. This call is for us to give the best of our whole selves for the Gospel everywhere and in all circumstances. Quoting Lavigerie’s own words, ‘It is to you that I come now, oh my dear Africa, I have sacrificed everything for you’, the Superior General reminded us of the fact that Lavigerie’s love for Africa was not just by words but through concrete actions: works in favour of orphans and the most vulnerable, and his fight against slavery. He also insisted that, like our founder, we are called today to be defenders of human dignity and actors of justice, and to support the marginalised.
Lastly, Father Stanley Lubungo, reminded us that our founder has called us to ‘be all things to all people’ and to adopt a simple lifestyle. Simplicity enables us to get close to the people that we serve, to adopt what is good in their lifestyle and cultures and to share in their joys and sorrows.
At the end of his homily the Superior General, prayed that: ‘we may grow in our being authentic apostles, entirely consecrated to the service of the Gospel, being witnesses of Christ’s love among our brothers and sisters of the African world. That the example of Lavigerie may inspire us daily to follow his deeds and his apostolic vision wherever we are living our charism.’
Celebrating together
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, there was a festive meal followed by a recreative evening to celebrate this memorable event as a family. We thank God for the gift of our founder Charles Cardinal Lavigerie to the Catholic Church, to the two Missionary Institutes, to the African continent and to the world. May this year grant us the enthusiasm and wisdom we need to continue, as actors, the vision that he had for Africa, for the most vulnerable and marginalised and for issues of justice and peace in the world.
By: Vitus Danaa Abobo, M.Afr.