Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles

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Who we are

Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles: women consecrated to God to share the Gospel message, the Good News of God’s love for all. As Religious Sisters, we commit ourselves for life, through the Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, to continue the Mission which the Apostles received from Jesus. We are Missionary Sisters, following God’s path for us, collaborating in the great mission of God (Mission Dei) witnessing to God’s love in the world, attentive in a special way to those who do not know Christ yet and with a particular focus on Africa.

News

Feast of the Assumption

Feast of the Assumption 2026 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary invites us to contemplate the destiny God desires for every human life: fullness, communion, and glory. In Mary, taken body and soul into heaven, we see the promise of our own future — a life transformed by grace and gathered into God’s eternal love. This feast reminds us that Mary’s journey was not marked by extraordinary power, but by extraordinary faith. Her “yes” opened a path through which God could enter the world, and her fidelity allowed that grace to unfold day after day. The Assumption is the crowning of a life lived in humility, service, and trust. As we celebrate this mystery, we are encouraged to lift our eyes beyond the weight of daily struggles and to remember that our lives, too, are called to rise. Mary teaches us that when we walk with God, nothing of what we live — our joys, our sorrows, our hopes — is lost. Everything can be transformed. May this feast renew in us the desire to live with the same openness of heart, confident that God continues to raise what is lowly, heal what is wounded, and lead us toward the fullness of life.

At Songhai Centre, OLA Sisters Discover a Living Model of Integral Development

At Songhai Centre, OLA Sisters Discover a Living Model of Integral Development Porto-Novo, Bénin — A visit to the Songhai Centre in Porto-Novo offered the OLA Sisters an opportunity to encounter a concrete and inspiring model of integral development—one in which agriculture, ecology, science, technology and human creativity converge in the service of people and the environment. As part of their formation and reflection on Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC), the Sisters spent the day exploring the Centre and discovering how sustainable use of natural resources can contribute to food security, employment, environmental protection and the empowerment of communities. “Nothing is wasted; everything can be transformed” The Sisters were personally welcomed by Fr. Godfrey Nzamujo, O.P., founder of the Songhai Centre, who shared the vision that has guided the Centre since its beginnings. For Fr. Nzamujo, Songhai is much more than an agricultural project. It is a laboratory for development—a place where people can experiment, learn, and demonstrate that Africa’s natural and human resources can become a foundation for sustainable development. His vision begins with a striking question: How can a continent endowed with abundant natural resources continue to experience widespread poverty? Songhai seeks to respond to this paradox not simply through theory, but through practical action. The Centre demonstrates that agriculture can become a catalyst for broader social and economic transformation when knowledge, technology, human labour and the resources of the earth are brought together. At the heart of this approach is a simple but powerful principle: [...]

JPIC: Rediscovering the OLA Charism Through Justice, Peace and Care for Creation

JPIC: Rediscovering the OLA Charism Through Justice, Peace and Care for Creation The journey into Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) took a deeper, more reflective turn on Tuesday afternoon as the OLA Sisters gathered to share their experiences and rediscover the close connection between JPIC and the Congregation’s charism. The session began with presentations from various entities, offering a glimpse into the many ways OLA Sisters are responding to people’s needs and the challenges facing our world. Although the contexts differ from one entity to another, a common desire emerged: to stand with vulnerable people, promote human dignity, and care for our common home. The initiatives presented reflected this diversity. Some Sisters accompany migrants and people experiencing hardship; others are engaged in the promotion of women, recycling, ecology, and reforestation. Each experience revealed a concrete expression of the OLA mission and showed how JPIC is already woven into the everyday ministry of the Sisters. JPIC: An Expression of the OLA Charism It was against this rich background that Sr. Liliana Parlanti invited the participants to look more deeply at the OLA Charism in the light of JPIC. Rather than presenting JPIC as an additional ministry or a programme to be added to the Congregation’s activities, Sr. Liliana helped the Sisters to recognise it as something much more fundamental: JPIC belongs to the very heart of the OLA vocation. Her presentation encouraged the Sisters to see the connection between justice, peace and the integrity of creation and the way [...]

Awakening to JPIC: A Grace‑Filled Beginning in Togbè

Awakening to JPIC: A Grace‑Filled Beginning in Togbè The morning light over Togbè carried a quiet promise as OLA Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) coordinators from across the Institute gathered at the Daughters of the Sacred Heart Centre for what would mark the beginning of an eleven‑day journey of reflection, formation, and renewed missionary purpose. From 10–22 August 2026, Benin becomes the meeting point of hearts and commitments, a place where Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation are not only discussed but lived. The first day opened with a prayer that set the tone for the entire session—simple, intentional, and beautifully prepared by the JPIC organising team. It was more than a liturgical moment; it was an invitation to breathe together, to recognise the Spirit already at work among us. What followed was a warm exercise in encounter: each participant paired with a sister she had never met before, sharing stories, hopes, and the quiet motivations that brought her to this mission. A Call to Responsibility and Vision The Province of Benin, represented by Sr. Nicole Houinato, Provincial Assistant, offered the first official welcome. Her words were both grounding and prophetic. She reminded the coordinators that JPIC is not an abstract ideal but a concrete responsibility—one that demands awareness, involvement, and courage. Drawing from Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ (common good) and its insistence on intergenerational justice, she posed the question that would echo throughout the day: What kind of world are we preparing for those who will come [...]

Lille: Where the Story of Father Planque Comes Alive

Lille: Where the Story of Father Planque Comes Alive Lille, France – 25 July 2026 — The Triple Jubilee pilgrimage took the OLA Sisters and SMA Fathers to Lille, where history and mission came together in a particularly meaningful way. At the heart of the day was the celebration of the Eucharist at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Treille, a place closely connected with the early life of Father Augustin Planque. The Mass was presided over by Fr. Romuald Carton, Vicar General of the Diocese of Lille. For the pilgrims, celebrating the Eucharist in this historic setting was an opportunity to pause and reflect on the missionary journey that began with the founders of the Society of African Missions and the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles. Father Planque’s connection with Lille gave the celebration a personal dimension. As a young man, he taught in the area around the cathedral. Walking through a place where he had once lived and worked allowed the pilgrims to encounter a part of his story in a very tangible way. During his homily, Father Carton reflected on the parable of the sower from the Gospel of Matthew. He invited the congregation to consider the place given to God’s Word in their own lives. The Word, he reminded the pilgrims, is continually sown; what matters is whether we allow it to take root and bear fruit. His reflection also touched on the spiritual search taking place in the Church in France today, particularly [...]

Bound by Mission: SMA-OLA Pilgrims Gather Where Their Story Began

Bound by Mission: SMA-OLA Pilgrims Gather Where Their Story Began The pilgrimage began not with fanfare, but with the quiet hum of a bus pulling away from Lyon at dawn. Inside, as the countryside unfurled in soft morning light, voices rose in prayer. Lauds became the soundtrack of the road — a reminder that even movement can be a form of contemplation. They were heading north, toward Lille, toward the Church of Saint Catherine, where the young Augustine Planque once prayed, dreamed, and discerned. For the 120 pilgrims of the Society of African Missions and the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, this was not simply a stop on an itinerary. It was a return to origins. A Parish That Remembers When the buses finally arrived, the group stepped into the parish that had quietly shaped one of their founders. Mass was celebrated by Fr. Augustine Placide Houessinon, Provincial Superior of the SMA in Lyon, whose calm presence set the tone for the day. Sr. Victoria Zirra, OLA Provincial Leader of France, welcomed the pilgrims with warmth that felt almost familial. She spoke of hope — that these days would rekindle prayer, deepen togetherness, and breathe fresh life into the missionary charism shared by SMA and OLA. A Jubilee of Grace During the homily, Father Augustine invited everyone to pause and consider the meaning of the Jubilee year unfolding between May 2025 and December 2026. A jubilee, he said, is not merely a milestone; it is a grace-filled interruption — [...]

Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles

Who we are

News

Feast of the Assumption

At Songhai Centre, OLA Sisters Discover a Living Model of Integral Development

JPIC: Rediscovering the OLA Charism Through Justice, Peace and Care for Creation

Awakening to JPIC: A Grace‑Filled Beginning in Togbè

Lille: Where the Story of Father Planque Comes Alive

Bound by Mission: SMA-OLA Pilgrims Gather Where Their Story Began

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