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.

Advent

“Advent is the time we are given to welcome the Lord who comes to encounter us, and also to verify our longing for God, to look forward and prepare ourselves for Christ’s return.”  Pope Francis, Angelus

Christmas Cards

SMA Missionary Association Christmas Cards available

Your intentions will be remembered during the Christmas Day Mass in SMA Houses. 

For more information contact your nearest SMA House:


Dublin: 01 4968162 Email: [email protected]
Blackrock, Cork: 021 4616315  Email: office1.[email protected]
Wilton, Cork: 021 4541069  Email: [email protected]
Claregalway: 091 798880    Email: [email protected]
Dromantine, NI: 30821224. Email: [email protected]

Latest News

SMA INTERNATIONAL NEWS – Dec 2024

SMA INTERNATIONAL NEWS – Dec 2024

Welcome to the December edition of the SMA International News for 2024.  This month we have a report from Nigeria, where the Catholic Diocese of Kano is celebrating a significant milestone in its...

Father Martin O’Hare, SMA [RIP]

Father Martin O’Hare, SMA [RIP]

It is with feelings of deep sorrow that we announce the death of our dear confrere, Father Martin O’Hare, SMA. Fr Martin died peacefully in the Bon Secours Hospital, Cork, on Thursday evening, 28...

Father Edward Peter BERMINGHAM, SMA (1916 – 1953)

Father Edward Peter BERMINGHAM, SMA (1916 – 1953)

We look back many decades in an article researched and written by Fr. Basil Babatunde Soyoye, SMA a Nigerian SMA Missionary who is now based in Castelnaudary, France, the home parish of the SMA...

Towards a Synodal Church in Mission

Towards a Synodal Church in Mission

(The Final Document of the Synod on Synodality)   by Michael McCabe SMA Introduction The second universal session of the Synod on Synodality took place in Rome, 2-27 October, 2024. Like the first...

SMA Journal

SMA Journal

Welcome to what we plan to be one of many SMA Journals – short video accounts of SMA events and happenings in the present and in the past.  In this first chapter, we hear about two visits, one to...

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 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C

Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C

Readings: Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6 Theme: Prepare the Way of the Lord Advent is not a penitential season in the same sense that Lent is. Joyful hope rather than penance...

Homily for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time 2024

Homily for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time 2024

Readings: Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14,18; Mark 13:24-32 Theme: ‘Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away’ (Mk 13:31) On Sunday, the 14th day of April 1935, a gigantic...

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