Formation – Training Sisters

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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 [...]