About the SMA

The Society of African Missions (SMA) is a catholic missionary society founded in 1856 by Venerable Bishop Melchior de Marion Brésillac.  It is an International family of Missionaries bonded together by their common response to the command of Jesus Christ to: “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation” (Mk 16: 15).

SMA’s work to build up faith communities, church structures, provide education, health care, social development and to promote justice and care for creation.  Through these means, SMAs seek to be an effective response to the missionary vocation of the Church, chiefly among Africans and people of African origin.

Our projects

The Tanga House project is run by members of the Society of African Missions (SMA) in cooperation with Polish Loreto Sisters and SMA lay missionaries.  It provides a safe home for Albino children in Tanzania – who because of their condition are often stigmatised and excluded.  They are sometimes killed or subjected to violence and mutilation due to a superstitious belief associated with witchcraft that albino body parts can bring wealth.

Events in 2024

Novena to Our Lady of Knock: ending with the Annual SMA Pilgrimage to Knock – 17th to 25th May
Facebook Live Panel Review of Traficking in Persons 2024 Report: Organised by SMA OLA Justice Offices -June/July, subject to the release of the 2024 report.
Dromantine Summer Camps:  7th July to 2nd August.
Novena in honour of St Therese of the Child Jesus: 23 September to Ist October.
5th Conference on Intergenerational Climate Justice: Organised by SMA OLA Justice Offices – October 17th.

Chains, desert and freedom - Faith

The 17th September, 2018 is a day that Fr Luigi Maccalli SMA will never forget. On that evening, a gang of armed mujahidin kidnapped him from the Mission, where he had lived and worked for eleven years, in the small village of Bomoanga, Niger.  

For almost two weeks he was taken by motorcycle across the border into Burkina Faso and then further on into the deserts of Mali.  This was the beginning of a long and difficult period of captivity, loneliness and suffering in the Sahara desert that lasted a total of 752 days.

Latest News

SMA INTERNATIONAL NEWS – Oct 2024

SMA INTERNATIONAL NEWS – Oct 2024

Welcome to this edition of SMA International News For the Month of October 2024.  In this edition we hear about a recent event in Côte d’Ivoire.  In a vibrant celebration of faith and cultural...

Ways to Support

Our Projects in Africa

The goals of building up faith communities and church structures, providing education, health care, social development and caring for our environment have been at the heart of the SMA’s missionary work.

Over the years we have supported the care of children at Tanga House, we have helped develop housing for those that were homeless, we have assisted in the building of schools and we have continued to educate Seminarians training to become SMA Missionary Priests.

Missionary Association Cards and prayers for a loved one

You can donate to the SMA by ordering one or more Missionary Association Cards.  Our cards are designed to let someone know that you have remembered them in a prayerful way.  All prayer intentions received are placed before the altar in the Community Chapel of the SMA House from where you got the Card and will be remembered in our daily prayers and Masses.

We have a number of options available for Birthdays, Sympathy, Get Well, Christmas, etc.

Events in Ireland

Each year we host a selection of events such as Summer schools and camps, climate change and biodiversity conferences and events on human trafficking and advocacy.

We also host Novenas across Ireland.

Sunday Homilies

Homily for the 28th Sunday, Year 2024

Homily for the 28th Sunday, Year 2024

Readings: Wisdom 7:7-11; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30 Theme:  True Wisdom A few days ago I had an interesting conversation with a friend about an underrated virtue today – the virtue of wisdom....

Homily for the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2024

Homily for the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2024

Readings: Genesis 2:18-24; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16 Theme: Married Love Our readings today invite us to reflect on the theme of married love. The first reading from the book of Genesis expresses...

Homily for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B

Homily for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B

Theme: Anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name …will certainly not lose their reward. Readings: 11:25-29; James 5:1-6; Mark 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48 Jesus sells his salvation very cheaply in...

Videos

Beginnings provides an historical account of the initiation of the SMA. It is the SMA story on the founder, choices and international expansion.

Fr. Anthony was extremely active in the Twafawne building project; a community housing initiative for women that had lost their homes.

Supporters in Ireland contribute vital funds to sponsor priests in training in Africa. You can hear about the FVC supporters and what is involved.

 

Each month we share videos regularly on :

  • History and occasions
  • Prayers and meditations 
  • Reflections and teachings
  • Climate change, biodiversity and human trafficking
  • Mindfulness