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Religious Life, AN African Perspective
The Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa (IHSA) is a Catholic religious congregation focused on education, evangelization, and empowering vulnerable women and girls, particularly against harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriages. The cover photo shows a member of the IHSA congregation playing joyfully with children in the Gerald Goldin Memorial Day Care and Nursery School, which they opened in 2022 in Kisarawe, Tanzania.
| Dates To Remember |
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February 1 – Blessed Benedict Daswa 2 – World Wetlands Day 2 – World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life 4 – International Day of Human Fraternity 6 – International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation 8 – International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking 11 – World Day of the Sick 11 – International Day of Women and Girls in Science 12 – International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism 13 – World Radio Day 18 – Ash Wednesday 18 – International Migrants Day 20 – World Day of Social Justice 21 – International Mother Language Day March 1 – Zero Discrimination Day 3 – World Wildlife Day 7 – Women’s World Day of Prayer 8 – International Women’s Day 19 – St Joseph, Husband of Mary 20 – International Day of Happiness 21 – Human Rights Day in South Africa 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 21 – World Down Syndrome Day 21 – World Day for Glaciers 22 – World Water Day 24 – International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims 25 – The Annunciation of the Lord 25 – International Day of Remembrance of Slavery Victims and the Transatlantic Slave Trade |
“AN ADVENTURE OF LOVE WITH GOD”
One day a nun was asked to tell the story of her vocation. She explained how, after completing Matric, her father asked her to begin thinking about what she wanted to do in life. The young woman started to reflect about it and asked herself the question: what brings me more joy, a life consecrated to the Lord as a religious or to get married and have a family?
CONFLICTS IN ASIA: CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES FOR RECONCILIATION
Amidst high- and low-intensity conflicts that continue to cause death and suffering across the Indian
subcontinent to Southeast Asia, Catholic communities are calling for reconciliation and fraternity.
POPE LEO XIV CREATES NEW CATHOLIC DIOCESE IN MOZAMBIQUE, APPOINTS COMBONI BISHOP AS PIONEER LOCAL ORDINARY
Pope Leo XIV has created the Catholic Diocese of Caia in Mozambique, and appointed Bishop António Manuel Bogaio Constantino, who has been serving as Auxiliary Bishop of the country’s Beira Catholic Archdiocese, as its pioneer Local Ordinary.
POPE: THE NEW YEAR IS ‘A JOURNEY TO BE DISCOVERED
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first public Mass of 2026 on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, telling believers that Mary has revealed the ‘unarmed and disarming’ face of God.
SOUTH AFRICA DECLARED GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE A NATIONAL DISASTER. BUT HOW WILL FRONTLINE WORKERS BE KEPT SAFE?
Social workers are often the first to arrive at scenes of gender-based violence and femicide. They often enter unsafe homes without backup or protective equipment
TRADITIONAL HEALERS NEED HUNTERS TO MAKE SAFE, SUSTAINABLE MUTI
Traditional healers often rely on poaching or dodgy markets to obtain medicinal ingredients. Joining hands with the hunting sector is a solution.
LOOKING AHEAD WITH HOPE
It is always risky to make predictions about South Africa’s future prospects, but it seems safe to say that we have more reasons for optimism this year than we have had for quite some time.
OUTREACH – CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ COLLEGE MOUNT EDMUND PRETORIA
In a world often marked by isolation and indifference, outreach teaches students that faith is lived through presence and action. It helps counter a culture of selfishness by forming young people who understand that love must be active and sacrificial.
DRC – A PROPHETIC VOICE THE SHEPHERD MUST STAY WITH HIS PEOPLE
The abundance of natural resources and Rwanda’s expansionist ambitions are the main causes of the wars that have been plaguing a vast area in the east of the DRC, as attested by the Bishop of Uvira.
RELIGIOUS LIFE IN AFRICA: MISSIONARIES OF GOD’S MESSAGE OF LIBERATION
Religious communities can demonstrate that cultural and racial differences must be viewed from a positive perspective and be promoters of justice, peace and integrity of creation.
TOWARDS BEING DIGITAL SHEPHERDS: AI, FAITH, AND AFRICAN RELIGIOUS LIFE
From bustling city parishes to remote rural missions, AI is no longer a futuristic fantasy but a present reality, raising profound questions about faith, morality, and the very essence of what it means to be human and to be a Religious in Africa.
“SHADOWS OF EXILE, LIGHT OF FAITH: A JOURNEY OF FAITH, HOPE, AND RESILIENCE”
When Mwaniki Peter Nga’ng’a set out for South Africa, he carried dreams of stability and success. Instead, he faced exploitation, detention, and trauma.
THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF EVANGELICAL POVERTY: AN ANTIDOTE TO CORRUPTION?
A young Dominican priest in Kenya shares his thoughts on the malaise of his nation. He does not hide his disgust for the many cases of corruption registered and denounced every day, and for the fact that nobody seems to be able to get to grips with this scandalous situation.
MOTHER OF THE CHURCH IN MADAGASCAR
Blessed Victoire kept the faith alive when the missionaries were expelled from Madagascar, and encouraged Catholics to practice their faith in times of persecution. She continues to be an inspiration of true Christian life, devoting herself to serving others, especially the poor and the marginalised.
Valued in other world religions too, celibacy is a vocation and a sign of total dedication to God. Being celibate is more than not having sex; it is a mind shift and a lifestyle, calling one to love more openly and serve like Christ.
Valued in other world religions too, celibacy is a vocation and a sign of total dedication to God. Being celibate is more than not having sex; it is a mind shift and a lifestyle, calling one to love more openly and serve like Christ.
LIVING THE SHEPHERD’S WAY
Valued in other world religions too, celibacy is a vocation and a sign of total dedication to God. Being celibate is more than not having sex; it is a mind shift and a lifestyle, calling one to love more openly and serve like Christ.
LENT: A JOURNEY TO EMBRACE OUR HUMAN FRAGILITY
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning” (Joel 2:12).
A NEW DRIVER FOR FRIEDENHEIM
When Fr Lechner moved to Friedenheim, White Waters was without transport. Fr Leichner helped from Friedenheim, but a better solution had to be found.
A STORY THAT REVEALS A SILENT CRISIS
Once, a young man was walking along the banks of a mighty river. The torrent was so strong that it carried away everything in its path: people, leaves, branches ….