AROUND THE WORLD - Africa

malawi   -   zambia   - madagascar

After more than 50 years in Africa, inspired by the example of those who preceded them and by the missionary charism inherited from our Foundress, Délia Tétreault, our Sisters of Malawi and Zambia keep renewing their commitment… to witness to the love of Christ and to cooperate with their local Churches in the mission of proclaiming the Good News and making the Kingdom visible.

In the middle of the 1th century, on the heels of missionary and explorer David Livingstone, several Churches send missionaries to the interior of the continent. Around that time, Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia become protectorates of the Crown of England before constituting, along with Southern Rhodesia, the Federation of Central Africa. During the rise of African nationalist movements, Nyasaland obtained in 1964, its independence under the name of Malawi, and Northern Rhodesia, now named Zambia, also proclaimed its independence.

In the middle of the 1th century, on the heels of missionary and explorer David Livingstone, several Churches send missionaries to the interior of the continent. Around that time, Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia become protectorates of the Crown of England before constituting, along with Southern Rhodesia, the Federation of Central Africa. During the rise of African nationalist movements, Nyasaland obtained in 1964, its independence under the name of Malawi, and Northern Rhodesia, now named Zambia, also proclaimed its independence.

At the request of Bishop Marcel St-Denis, M. Afr., Apostolic Prefect of Northern Nyassa, a first group of four of our Sisters left for Nyasaland in 1948, now called Malawi. Their dream of being missionaries in Africa was thus realized, the very same dream Délia Tétreault had had in 1896 but had to give it up because of illness. Upon arrival, our missionaries settled in the parish of St. Teresa of Katete. They were the first Canadian women missionaries to join in the missionary activity of the Church in this region of the country. Other companions successively came to join the group and eight other parishes welcomed them in as many years. In those days, there were no roads, no schools, and no medical services. Everything had to be started from scratch and there were many challenges.

Health Care, education, promotion of women, pastoral work in families, schools and parishes and a diocesan AIDS Education Project developed along the years. Our missionaries contributed to the formation of a native religious congregation, the Rosarian Sisters as well as to the initial formation of other local Religious and M.I.C. Priorities in the life of this local Church and to which the M.I.C. are dedicated is the training of Christian leaders, catechists and group facilitators and youth ministry. Katete, Mzambazi, Rumphi, Kaseye, Vua, Karonga, Nkhata Bay, Mzuzu, Mzimba, Madisi and Banga are mission stations where our Institute has been or still is at work in Malawi.

This continent has a population of almost 800 million of very diverse cultures and traditions, and its independent States form the African Union. Malawi and Zambia include several ethnic groups of the Bantu stock, which is found in most of the territory south of the Equator. Eighty percent of the population of these two countries lives on the produce of their lands and on cattle raising. They are by nature cheerful and ingenuous people who love life and are very fond of colours and music. Dance is a favourite way for them to express their vitality and rich sensitivity. Aware of the richness of their culture, they transmit it faithfully from generation to generation. Africa has had great civilisations and the history of its peoples and cultures abounds with glorious chapters. There are still today, on this continent a few countries in search of democratic governments and regions where the struggle against poverty, ignorance and disease must be carried on.

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In 1954, it was Bishop Firmin Courtemanche, M. Afr., of the diocese of Chipata, Zambia, whose request was, in turn, responded to. He welcomed our Sisters in the parish of St. Anne of Fort Jameson. With zeal and determination, our missionaries learned the local languages of the regions where they worked and immersed themselves in the daily life of the people. They lived close to the people to familiarize themselves with their culture and customs. The mission of evangelization was coupled with the establishment of projects that responded to local needs. Schools were opened, dispensaries welcomed the sick, domestic science centres assisted young women in their role as wives and mothers, catechism classes were offered and the parish ministry was organized.

Their missionary service diversified into various fields over the years : education, family and parish pastoral work, health services, a child care centre, an AIDS Education Project, training of catechists and leaders, promotion of women, youth ministry, setting up and managing a diocesan bookshop, creation of audiovisual aids adapted to the country and initial formation of local M.I.C.

The African Soul

The people of Africa are gifted with natural and cultural values propitious to the acceptance of the Gospel. They believe in a God who is the creator and master of life and death. They have a dynamic view of the universe in which the spiritual and material worlds constantly interact. The social aspect of their lives rests on the principles of justice and respect of authority. The reality of evil, in its individual or social forms, is alive in the consciousness of the people, hence the existence of rites of purification within their clans to restore communion among the living and with the ancestors. Their relation to nature is one of respect, veneration and fear, for it is from nature that they get everything they need.

The revelation of a loving, personal and merciful God made flesh in Jesus Christ, responds to the deep aspirations of the Bantu soul. It casts away fear and reinforces every aspect of LIFE. However, adherence to the new faith is a demanding proposition, requiring adjustments in the practice of certain customs and cultural rites. The Good News is a seed of life. When it is received, it takes root in the culture of the people and integrates genuine human values, purifying them and restoring them to the fullness of their meaning. The Spirit of God makes all things new in the hearts of those who welcome Him with an upright and sincere soul.

Text MIC MISSION NEWS (October-November-December 2002)
Louise Denis, m.i.c.

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madagascar - the great island

The Island of Madagascar, located in the Indian Ocean, east of the coast of Africa, ranks the fourth largest in the world with a population of nearly 17 million. It displays an extraordinary natural patrimony in sites of outstanding beauty and in the exceptional variety of its vegetation and wildlife, The damp and luxuriant forests of the northeast are in sharp contrast with the almost barren landscape of the south where the baobab trees and the dry undergrowth are very similar to what is found in the South African bush. In the centre of the island is a stretch of highlands, the kingdom of mountains and terrace cultivation, where every valley is used as a rice paddy. Everything grows on our island, proudly claims a peasant of Antsirabe. But the rates of productivity and profit are very low. There has been intensive logging, and now, erosion is causing laterite to surface, hence the name of Red Island that is sometimes used.

Over the centuries, the Oriental seas were plied by Persian, Hindu, Malaysian, Indonesian and Arab navigators and the Indian Ocean was a channel of communication between the different civilisations that surrounded it. In the midst of all the comings and goings that took place on this vast stretch of water ruled by seasonal winds and monsoons, Madagascar became a crossroads of peoples, a mixture of Asia and Africa. This twofold lineage is visible on the faces of the 18 main groups of people who make up its population. These tribes share several cultural traits, such as devotion to ancestors, the belief in spirits and the language - of Malaysian-Indonesian origin, an irreplaceable factor of unity and understanding. In terms of culture, Indonesia has left more traces than Africa, and the mixture has evolved into a unique civilisation that has grown in time, protected by its insular condition.

The Malagasy people are proud of their culture and their discreet and hospitable smile wins the day despite the simplicity of their country's infrastructures. The Island exerts an uncommon fascination on those who visit it for the first time. Possessing a wealth of traditions and customs, the people express their wisdom through an abundant collection of proverbs. Whoever has had a sip of the water of Manangareza will return for a drink, in other words, the traveller who had a taste of the charms of Madagascar always returns for more.

Fifty Years of Missionary Presence

In 1952, Morondava, a small town on the west coast, welcomed our first five missionaries who came to replace a French religions community. On their arrival, they took charge of the mission and of the existing works: two schools - a Malagasy school and the other, European, a boarding school, an orphanage and a sewing room. The initiation period included occasions to learn the Malagasy language. Over the years, some Sisters came to join the group, other houses were opened and new ministries were undertaken according to the needs of the local Church.

We celebrated the 50th anniversary of our presence in the Great Isle. Our Sisters renew their commitment to continue their mission: to make Jesus Christ, the One Sent by the Father, known and to actualise His message of liberating love among a people athirst for truth, justice, freedom and democracy in an authentic fihavanana, i.e., a spirit of solidarity and communion, a family spirit.

A Difficult Journey towards Democracy

The political history of the country has been quite a unique journey. Seventy-five years of French colonialism sealed the destiny of the great Malagasy dynasties before some twenty years of Marxist-inspired government isolated the country on the international scene. Recent history was hardly more productive with a succession of nationalistic, liberalistic, humanitarian and ecological regimes.

Alive and dynamic, the mainstream Christian Churches honestly denounce erroneous tendencies, social inequalities and corruption. They appeal to all Christians to contribute to national redress and invite the leaders to promote ethical and religious values in the governance of their own country.

Such a reversal of prevailing trends requires a change of mentality and several approaches are being put in place. The Centre d'Éducation Permanente des Adultes (C.E.P.A.) Adult Ongoing Education Centre in Tananarive, directed by Estelle Fontaine, m.i.c., is one of several means to strive for this goal. It offers formation programmes and sessions that facilitate personal, social and spiritual growth. This formation programme aims to train and accompany individuals and groups in the development of a culture based on individual autonomy and freedom. All this, in view of the participants' commitment to the tremendous task of transforming their environment and promoting growth and harmony among their people.

Text MIC MISSION NEWS (April-May-June 2002)
Louise Denis, m.i.c.

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