Nuns from First Native Order in Sub-Saharan Africa Make "pilgrimage of faith"

Their founder, Archbishop Streicher served as Vicar Apostolic of Uganda from 1897 to 1933; their initial formators were the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, a religious order also known as White Sisters and founded by the same founder of the White Fathers, French-born Archbishop Charles Lavigerie.

The Missionaries of Africa were founded in 1868, just a year before the founding of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa.

“We are deeply rooted in the spirituality of these Missionaries (White Fathers and White Sisters),” Sr. Namusoke disclosed to ACI Africa and added, “We learnt from them self-sacrifice and their zeal for the salvation of souls, this is what we follow when carrying out our ministries for the greater glory of God and for the salvation of souls."

She continued referencing the influence her Uganda-based Congregation has had from the White Fathers and the White Sisters, “The motto “overcome evil with good” which we acquired from them has also been our guiding principle and has formed part of our life.”

Asked how Bannabikira Daughters of Mary are collaborating with their founders besides the pilgrimage of faith they made, Sr. Namusoke who has been at the helm of her religious Congregation for the last four years said, “Other than the pilgrimage, we have been sharing symposiums and as the White Fathers and the White Sisters are planning for pilgrimage on December 6, they will also come to the headquarters of the Bannabikira Sisters on that day of their pilgrimage.”

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Besides, they have also shared with us their theme for the celebration “With Christ ever faithful to Africa” these have helped us collaborate more,” Sr.  Namusoke said in reference to the theme guiding the yearlong celebration of 150 years since Archbishop Lavigerie founded the Missionaries of Africa.

Missionaries of Africa have organized to conclude the celebration of 150 years of their founding by Archbishop Charles Lavigerie in the East African country of Uganda, the land of Martyrs.

DR Congolese Fr. Innocent Maganya, a Missionaries of Africa based in Kenya has explained to ACI Africa the reason for choosing Uganda for the Congregation’s 150^th anniversary saying, “Kampala has been chosen for the closing ceremony because of the history of the Missionaries of Africa in Uganda … and Namugongo is the shrine of the Martyrs of Uganda, spiritual sons of the Missionaries of Africa.”

According to Fr. Maganya, the General and Provincial Council members who are in their plenary meeting will also visit some historical places as part of preparations prior to the day of celebration.

“It is with a heart full of gratitude that the work of the pioneers that the Missionaries of Africa and the Missionaries Sisters of Our Lady of Africa are marking this event, in communion with the whole Church of Uganda,” Fr. Maganya one of the Council members said.

He added referencing the members of the various Congregations founded by Missionaries of Africa, “We thank God for the growth of the local Church and growing number of religious consecrated men and women, some of who have been founded by the Missionaries of Africa.”

Missionary of Africa Bishop Streitcher also founded the Brothers of St Charles Lwanga in 1927.

Another Missionary of Africa Archbishop Joseph Louis Cabana founded the Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix Sisters.

Missionary of Africa Fr. Paul Mischler together with Sr. Amedeo of Daughters of Mary co-founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of Fatima.

“All these congregations are celebrating together with the Missionaries of Africa in a spirit of gratitude to the Lord,” Fr. Maganya concluded.

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