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.

Latest News

Life as a Seminarian – FVC Newsletter Summer 2024

Life as a Seminarian – FVC Newsletter Summer 2024

Over the next few weeks we will publish a series of articles that give an insight into the lives of SMA Seminarians undergoing formation in Africa. These are written by the Seminarians themselves...

Hotspot West Africa – Conflicts and Interventions

Hotspot West Africa – Conflicts and Interventions

The article below was published by AEFJN Brussels in the AEFJN Echo of June 2024.  It gives some interesting perspectives on changes that have taken in place it the Sahel region of African as a...

Father Peter Thompson, SMA [RIP]

Father Peter Thompson, SMA [RIP]

It is with feelings of deep sorrow that we announce the death of our dear confrere Father Peter Thompson, SMA. Born in the Archdiocese of Dublin, Ireland 4 July 1936 He became a member of our...

JUNE 2024 | For the pastoral care of the sick

JUNE 2024 | For the pastoral care of the sick

  Let us pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick grant the Lord’s strength to those who receive it and to their loved ones, and that it may become for everyone an ever more visible...

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 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2024

Homily for the 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2024

Readings: 2 Kings 4: 42-44; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15 Theme:  Bread, blessed, broken and shared for the life of the world While on a sabbatical programme in Jerusalem in the Spring of 2008, I had...

Homily for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Homily for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34 Theme:    ‘Sheep without a Shepherd’ (Mark 6:34) Being compared to sheep – lost or found –    may seem quite unflattering to most people...

Homily for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B

Homily for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B

Readings: Amos 7:12-15; Eph 1:3-14; Mk 6: 7-13 Theme: Called and Sent on Mission The themes of vocation and mission are highlighted in two of today readings. In the first reading, Amos is forced to...

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