The MSOLA in Belgium

The Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa have been present in Belgium nearly since their beginnings in the XIX century.

Many Belgium women have given their life to Africa as MSOLA.

Today more than 200 sisters are still "keeping the missionary flame" burning.

My relations with the personnel were very friendly. I also had occasion to participate in the joint meals of the estate, and met the people when they gathered for celebrations, for funerals, when they travelled, sometimes on the street or in their homes. It is an estate where numerous persons have been wounded by life situations. Lack of affection during childhood or adolescence takes its toll in later life, and this accounts for much of the evils of our society today: drug addiction, alcoholism, sexual abuse, racism, etc.

However, in that modest milieu where problems do abound, I saw many gestures of sensitive and gratuitous love. On the one hand there were poignant and dehumanizing situations which greatly affected me; but at the same time, the solidarity, the kindness and the expressions of compassion nourished joy and hope in me. I am very conscious that I received much more than I was ever able to give.

From the very beginning I had agreed to commit myself for three years. "There is a time to come and a time to go". Last September, it seemed to me that the time had come for me to leave. And so I did leave with deep stirrings in my heart, not only because of my friendly ties, but also because I was grateful for all that I had been able to witness. Yes, really, this presence more than gladdened my missionary heart.

Living in a small apostolic community of Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, where we prayed, shared and chatted together, was a very positive experience for me.

I have just arrived at Oostkamp, a home for "the retired" where I plan to reach out to people in distress. The Good News
can be proclaimed through a joyful "hello", a glance, or simply by a way of being.

I give thanks to God for the past, and in confidence, I entrust the rest of my journey to Him.

A group of MSOLA during the provincial chapter 2000

• Jeanne what drove you to go towards prisoners when you arrived in Belgium?
  
• It is in a spirit of fidelity to my vocation of MSOLA that back in my country, after returning from the Congo, I answeredthe call to work with women inmates. I wanted to visit the imprisoned African women. Soon I realised that it was not very evangelical to "choose" towards which inmates to go, but rather that I should go towards all. There are women from South-Saharan Africa, from West and North Africa; but there are also women from Belgium and South America, from Europe and Asia. I have easy access to the Catholics as I am part of the Catholic prison chaplaincy; but I also go towards the Protestants, the Anglicans, the Muslims, the Buddhists, the Jehovah Witnesses, when they call us.
  
  
• What is the role of the prison chaplains?
  
• Most religions have their chaplains, but the Catholics are the most numerous: there are about 80 prison chaplains in the country: priests, religious men and women and lay people. In the prison that I go to, there are three of us. We spend long hours just listening with a compassionate heart. These women often go a long way before they acknowledge their weaknesses, before they welcome God's mercy and learn to forgive, as strange as this may sound. As they arrive in prison, hand-cuffed, the women are truly perturbed; then hope grows; later there are ups and downs, worries, anguish. Some even rediscover the place of God and prayer.
  
• Do you offer them other services, besides the spiritual help?
• We provide small services: a phone call to their family, varied errands, a discreet request with those in charge, providing means to fight the solitude and inactivity: knitting wool, materials for art work, etc., especially for those who are not allowed to work.
  
  
• What is the main suffering of these prisoners?
  
• Their total dependence, separation from loved ones, a relational life with strangers from all over, not of their choice, anxiety for the future, for the children, the family, a trial forever postponed.
  
  
• Is there a link between what you live in the prison and your missionary life in Africa?
• When pursuing these humble services, I feel that I am accomplishing the mission entrusted to me, in union withour sisters working in Africa.
• The Holy Spirit is there, and despite advancing age, I try to flourish where the very hand of God has planted me.

  

Lobbying at European Institutions: a new way of living the MSOLA charism

SR. BEGOÑA IÑARRA from Spain is working at the International
Secretariat of "Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network" (AEFJN), an organization which aim is to promote just and equitable relations between Africa and Europe, through a change of "unjust structures".

The organization is formed by 40 religious congregations working in Africa.

By Sr. Begoña Iñarra

In the corridors of the European Parliament, at meetings with NGO's, people wonder what a missionary is doing in such milieux,... but they are getting used to it.

" Africa-Europe Faith and Justice Network" (AEFJN), promotes just and equitable relations between Africa and Europein view of changing "structures".

We work on Agreements, treaties, and documents that affect Africa but which decisions are taken in Europe". Some of the issues we follow are the 'Foreign Debt', the 'International Trade Organisation', the "trafficking of small arms", "child soldiers", the "patents on medicines and seeds" .

Together with other groups of civil society, we try to have an influence on the European Union, (the Commission andthe members of Parliament), so that their policies may take into account the realities and interests of Africa. I am impressed by the commitment and the competence of the NGO's, and their work so that the people and not "free trade" may be at the heart of policies, decisions and institutions.

I also visit the Antennae (national groups of AEFJN), organised by religious and some lay people. They lobby at national level for issues concerning justice and they encourage religious men and women to participate.

The sessions on justice which I animate, enable me to be more directly in contact with other religious and members of NGO's. They are enriching moments where the sharing of what inflames us gives me the courage to go forward. Just to see how the commitment for justice has grown among religious men and women these last years is a cause for deep joy. I believe in what I do, and I find it is a way of living the mission today.

I am also the editor of the MSOLA newsletter "Sharing Trentaprile". The newsletter is a means for the MSOLA all around the world to express themselves, to share on their work, their vision, their interests and anything that touches the life of the sisters and the communities. What a joy for me to discover how our sisters live the charism today, and the life that animates them!

This is what happened to me and just at an opportune time, when I returned to Belgium in 1995 for the new community of Louvain-la-Neuve. The provincial asked me to participate in the activities of the Belgian Antenna of AEFJN. I saw that as a continuation of my commitment in Bukavu with the GRAPES, a political and social reflection group from the diocese and from a group of religious working "for peace".

In Bukavu, how often did we say: "We cry in the desert". It seems to me that the AEFJN project helps us to be a support to cries that come from Africa, even if the impression we get seems useless. Writing to ministers and making contacts with members of parliament in Belgium or in Europe, are an encouragement to Africans in exile, to make their voices heard. It conscientises people around us to the situations of injustice where African countries are victims. Even if, at times what we do seems unsuccessful, it does begin to trace little furrows toward peace and love. Often it calls for a lot of faith.

It is important to work with other groups who have similar aims: Pax Christi, "Entr'Aide et Fraternité", organisations fighting against child soldiers, etc. There are at times, small victories, like the rise in the minimum age to 18 years for recruitment of soldiers, adopted by the United Nations; and there are signs that are encouraging, like the workshop I gave about Child Soldiers during the activities of Mission Month, to children of 11-12 years old. They were so impressed that they signed a letter addressed to the head of an African State, with a copy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. They will surely be a support for their families and friends. I see a very close link between Missionary Animation and commitment to issues of Justice and Peace. But often the prayer that comes from my heart is : "If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labour". And also: "He renews your youth like an eagle's"

These are new paths to explore at this time of my Golden Jubilee as a missionary. It is a gift from the Lord to be received with the heart of a child who knows in whom she has put her trust..

As we walk the streets of Etterbeek, we meet veiled mothers bringing their children to school, young people of all colours discussing together, government officials heading for the European buildings; children of all languages on their bikes, Chaldeans involved in discussion on the sidewalk; Italians playing cards in the corner "café"; Belgians on their way to the hospital... The local shops and the Sunday market also reflect this plurality, and at the market the Belgian delicacies blend with the Mediterranean scents and Asian foods.

The parish, though without a church, meets in a old garage. It is small, poor and little frequented.

We are five in community: Sr. Miet de Ridder, (Flemish); Sr. Georgette Osset, (Walloon), Sr. Christiane Simon, (Walloon). All three have worked in R.D.Congo. Sr. Suzy Hadermann, (Flemish from Brussels), worked in Burundi and was part of the General Council for several years; Sr. Begoña Iñarra, (Spanish), was in mission in Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia and Mozambique.

Just facing our house is the "Baron Lambert Hospital" where Miet (83 years old), renders services to the sick who are
in need. She discovered that her mission, though different, is the same one she lived in Congo. She meets her "Master" in the sick, their families and the staff.

Georgette's mission is doing the kitchen and shopping. She is part of a group of Seniors who meet in order to overcome their solitude. She also brings Holy Communion to the elderly.

Christiane gives courses to immigrants in view of a better integration in the Belgian society. She is also involved in catechetics to first communicants. All the children are foreigners: Africans, Chaldeans and Latinos.

As a member of the Provincial Council, Suzy makes regular visits to the communities. She participates in meetings and reflection sessions on the role of the religious life in a united Europe.

Begoña works at the international secretariat of " Africa-Europe Faith and Justice Network" (AEFJN). She is also editor of "Sharing Trentaprile".

Our many journeys and commitments do not facilitate our 'being together'. Once a month, however, we do take the time to meet, to reflect, to pray and to share. We usually conclude this 'community' time by recreating together.

It took us a whole year to put our Apostolic Project on paper. We sought an expression that corresponded to the pluralistic reality in which we live and we wanted it to be an element of our unity. Each one of us lives the same project through her respective commitment.

"TO BE A BRIDGE, to facilitate ENCOUNTERS between people of
DIFFERENT CULTURES, RELIGIONS…
in order TO BE OPEN to DIFFERENCES with MUTUTAL RESPECT,
and to ENABLE LIFE TO GROW."