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

OLA Plenary Council 2026

OLA Plenary Council 2026 From 15 February to 2 March 2026, the Congregation of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) is holding its Plenary Council in Rome, bringing together sisters and leaders from across its global entities for a time of prayer, reflection, and discernment. The opening day of the Council set a profound spiritual and communal tone. The gathering began with an inspiring address and prayer led by the Congregational Leader, Sr. Mary T. Barron, who invited participants to enter the days ahead with openness to the Spirit and attentive listening to one another. Her reflection emphasized gratitude for the congregation’s missionary heritage and courage in facing present realities with faith and hope. Following the opening prayer, representatives from the various entities of the congregation presented the realities of their missions around the world. These presentations highlighted both the richness and diversity of contexts in which the sisters serve, as well as the shared challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the OLA’s apostolic life. In the evening, the Council was formally entrusted to God during the Opening Mass, celebrated by the Superior General of the Society of African Missions (SMA), Fr François Hervé Du Penhoat. The Eucharistic celebration deepened the sense of communion not only within the OLA but also with the wider missionary family of the Church. The day concluded on a joyful note with the celebration of the 60th birthday of Sr. Anne Falola. The festive moment of fraternity and thanksgiving beautifully reflected the spirit of unity and [...]

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Pope Leo XIV presided over a solemn Mass at the Vatican to mark the 30th World Day for Consecrated Life, a celebration dedicated to honoring the witness and mission of men and women who have devoted their lives entirely to God. Gathered with members of religious orders, institutes of consecrated life, and secular institutes from around the world, the Pope reflected on the meaning of consecration in the life of the Church. In his homily, he highlighted the Feast of the Presentation as a moment that illuminates the vocation of consecrated persons: to offer themselves wholly to God and to stand as signs of hope, fidelity, and light for the world. Pope Leo XIV expressed deep gratitude for the quiet yet powerful testimony of consecrated men and women, praising their perseverance in faith, particularly in times of trial. He acknowledged that many live their vocation amid uncertainty, suffering, persecution, or diminishing recognition, yet continue to serve with humility and trust. Such fidelity, he said, reflects a profound reliance on God rather than on human assurances. The Holy Father also encouraged those in consecrated life to remain rooted in prayer and attentive to the needs of the Church and the world. He noted that their presence—whether in cloisters, parishes, schools, hospitals, or on the margins of society—remains essential to the Church’s mission of evangelization and charity. Concluding the celebration, Pope Leo XIV entrusted all consecrated [...]

A New Vocational Training Center for Women’s Empowerment in Tengrela

Côte d’Ivoire: A New Vocational Training Center Boosts Women’s Empowerment in Tengrela Tengrela, 18 January 2026 (AIP) – The Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles (NDA) have inaugurated a new vocational training center aimed at strengthening women’s empowerment in Tengrela. The ceremony, held on Sunday as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the congregation’s presence in the locality, brought together several ecclesiastical authorities, including priests and sisters. Speaking at the event, the provincial leader of the NDA Sisters, Sister Yapo Amélie, traced the origins of the initiative. She recalled that during community visits on 30 December 2021, the Sisters identified a pressing need for a space where young girls and women could acquire essential skills—echoing the mission the congregation began five decades ago. This observation led to the revival and expansion of the Centre Féminin Notre Dame des Apôtres, now fully modernized and operational. A Growing Demand for Skills Training The center began its activities in October 2022 with only 12 women, limited by the small size of the initial premises. However, the enthusiasm of the learners and the scale of local needs quickly highlighted the necessity for a larger facility.“Every day, we see in the eyes of these young girls an immense thirst for learning. Some walk several kilometers to attend classes,” Sister Yapo Amélie noted, praising their determination. Thanks to the support of benefactors, a new, modern training center has been built. It can now accommodate up to 30 students per class and offers [...]

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 From 18 to 25 January 2026 in the Northern Hemisphere, churches and Christian communities across the globe will once again gather in spirit for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This annual observance offers believers an opportunity to reflect, pray, and renew their commitment to unity in Christ. The theme for 2026 is drawn from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:4). This scriptural focus highlights the shared identity of all Christians, affirming that, despite differing traditions and expressions of faith, all are united as members of the one Body of Christ. The prayer materials for this year were developed by the Department for Inter-Church Relations of the Armenian Apostolic Church and published jointly by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches (WCC). Rooted in ancient Armenian Christian spirituality, the resources draw on prayers, hymns, and invocations from monastic communities dating back to the fourth century. Through these texts, participants are invited to rediscover and celebrate a common Christian heritage that transcends time and tradition. Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 More information on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Synodality Shaping Mission

Synodality Shaping Mission A Gathering Marked by Listening, Not Formality The Extraordinary Consistory held at the Vatican on January 8, 2026, unfolded in a spirit of deep listening and shared discernment. Cardinals from Asia, Africa, and Latin America — reflected together on the life of the Church and the call to renewed missionary commitment. A New Way of Dialogue: Conversation in the Spirit Instead of formal speeches, the Cardinals gathered around round tables for a Conversation in the Spirit, a method that mirrors the OLA approach to collaboration, intercultural living, and communal discernment. This format encouraged humility, openness, and genuine encounter. A Call to “stand still” in a Restless World During Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV invited the Church to rediscover the meaning of consistere — “to stand still.” He described this pause as a prophetic act in a world marked by haste. This resonates strongly with the OLA commitment to contemplative presence in mission. A time to pause for spiritual renewal: Retreat. Recollection, Ongoing Formation Programmes… A Day Shaped by Attentive Listening Throughout the day, Pope Leo chose to listen rather than speak. He reminded the Cardinals that he relies on the lived experience of the global Church to discern the path ahead. His approach reflects the OLA conviction that mission begins with listening — to God, to one another, and to the cries of the world. Synodality and Mission at the Heart of the Conversation Two themes emerged clearly: Synodality and Mission, especially in the [...]

Called, Consecrated, and Sent: Rejoicing in the Final Vows of Our Sisters

Called, Consecrated, and Sent: Rejoicing in the Final Vows of Our Sisters With great joy and thanksgiving, we celebrate a significant and sacred moment in the lives of our dear Sisters—Irène Agbodja, Odile Djago, and Christine Sossou—who have faithfully professed their final vows. This beautiful commitment marks the culmination of years of discernment and formation, and the beginning of a lifelong journey of total dedication to God. By their faithful “yes,” our Sisters have embraced a path of love, service, and trust in God’s call. Their journey to this moment has been shaped by prayer, community life, and perseverance. Through each step, God has been at work, forming their hearts and preparing them for the mission entrusted to them. As they pronounce their final vows, Sisters Irène, Odile, and Christine offer a powerful witness of hope and fidelity in today’s world. Their lives remind us that God continues to call, and that responding wholeheartedly brings deep joy and lasting fruit. We are inspired by their example and grateful for the gift of their vocation to the Church and to the OLA family. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in them, bring it to joyful fulfillment. May their consecrated lives continue to bear abundant fruit, strengthened by grace, sustained by community, and guided always by God’s unfailing love. We assure them of our prayers and support as they begin this new chapter of lifelong commitment and service.

Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles

Who we are

News

OLA Plenary Council 2026

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

A New Vocational Training Center for Women’s Empowerment in Tengrela

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026

Synodality Shaping Mission

Called, Consecrated, and Sent: Rejoicing in the Final Vows of Our Sisters

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