Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lyons (Agenzia Fides) - This year the Lyons Society for African Missions SMA is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its foundation. It was one of many missionary institutes started in the mid 19th century to evangelise Africa especially the most neglected countries. On 8 December 1856, in Lyons (France), at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fourvière Bishop Marion Brésillac and six companions dedicated themselves to the service of the missions and started an institute “society of apostolic life” consisting of priests and lay brothers, open to members from any country, and which acts in close contact with the Propaganda Fide Congregation in Rome.
The Lyons Society for African Missions began evangelising the peoples of West Africa contributing towards the founding and growth of the Church in present day Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Niger. Besides these countries there are SMA missionaries in Egypt, Central African Republic, DR Congo, South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya and Angola. The institute today has over 900 members and about 150 aspirants from Europe, Africa and Asia.
To mark this jubilee year opened on 8 December 2005 various celebrations and initiatives will be held in SMA communities in the different countries. Major celebrations will take place in Lyons on June 25 and in Rome at the SMA general house on 8 December. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 12/1/2006, righe 17, parole 229)
