The OLA sisters after their Plenary Council held in France visited the SMA house at 150 Cours Gambetta, Lyon, on Saturday 18th February 2017 for a special informal family reunion at the tomb of Father Augustin Planque, Co-Founder and 1st Superior General of the SMA equally Founder of the OLA.
18th February 2017 was the last day of their Plenary Council that the OLA Province of France hosted.
From the evening of Tuesday 31st January to Saturday 18th February 2017 in the morning, leaders of the institute including the General Council, Provincial leaders of Benin, Burkina Faso – Niger, Cote d’Ivoire, France, Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Nigeria; District leaders Chad, Quebec, Togo and those of the Regions of Argentina and Tanzania, met in the Cenacle, at Neyliere, Marist’s guesthouse located 650 meters above sea level, between Lyon and Saint Etienne, to pray, evaluate and plan the future in the light of the World of God and more than 140 years of audacious missionary experience in Africa and beyond.
The OLA visit began with a Eucharistic celebration presided by Archbishop Michel Cartatéguy, retired Archbishop of Niamey, Niger Republic, and concelebrated by the confrères of the community. In his short homily, the Archbishop underlined the importance of an active faith in order to keep alive the faith in Jesus that made Bishop de Marion Brésillac, founder of the SMA and Fr. Augustin Planque founder of the OLA. Both men had groups of companions who committed themselves to the evangelisation of the people of Africa. He enjoined all present, both SMA and OLA missionaries to courageously continue the same commitment of their common ancestors with renewed faith.
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The second event of the evening was a fraternal gathering attended by all present. In his introduction of the social evening, Fr. Pierre Richaud, Superior of 150 community welcomed everyone to the house. The general introduction was followed by individual introduction by each one present. The exercise which consisted of giving one’s name, country of origin, past or current place of mission was an occasion for many to reconnect with their common missionary experience and history. For example, in her personal introduction, Sr. Camilla Martin (OLA, Quebec) remembered that she was welcomed as missionary to Niger by Michel Cartatéguy and Michel in turn remembered that Camila initiated him to inclusive language.
The evening was very convivial. There was a sense of great joy to be here in our common “Father’s House” which was purchased and developed by our Father Planque. It is worth mentioning that till date, the statues of both Bishop Marion Bresillac and Fr. Planque together with the crucifix seen at the entrance of the chapel continue to constitute the triangle of audacious untiring missionary commitment to all peoples (Ad Gentes) particularly Africa, normally across the borders of one’s country of origin (Ad Extra) and for life (Ad Vitam). Missionaries from the bottom of one‘s heart.
Conscious of the importance of the evening gathering in deepening collaboration and family spirit between both brother and sister institutes, the SMA Media Centre (situated in 150) decided to have series of interviews with with some of the OLA leaders present at the family reunion. The issues discussed where mostly on how to deepen our collaboration between both institutes, pastoral care of migrants and any other topic the sister wished to share with us. Special attention was given to countries where SMA missionaries were not missioning such as Chad, Lebanon, Quebec and Argentina.
It is our pleasure therefore in the coming weeks and months to present a special focus on first each of the above countries and also OLA in Tanzania. We trust that you will find the articles backed by voice interviews, where it is possible, very enriching. Karibuni to our deeper knowledge of our sisters and it is said in Quebec..”á tantôt”!
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