Novena in Honour of Our Lady of Lourdes

At St Joseph’s Church, Wilton, Cork.
From Tuesday 3rd February to Wednesday 11th February, 2026.
Mass 10am each morning (except Sunday, which will be at 10.30am)

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.

Remember the Missions in Your WILL

Leaving a gift in your Will is a special way to help our Mission work. Your kindness and generosity can live on even after you are gone.

If you require more information please contact the SMA House nearest to you, or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Latest News

Fr Michael McGrath SMA [RIP]

Fr Michael McGrath SMA [RIP]

It is with feelings of deep sorrow that we announce the death of our dear confrere Fr Michael McGrath SMA, late of Ratharney, Abbeyshrule, Co Longford.  Fr Michael died on 28 January 2026,...

SMA JOURNAL – Special edition on Séan Ó Sé RIP

SMA JOURNAL – Special edition on Séan Ó Sé RIP

Welcome to this Special edition of the SMA Journal featuring the late Séan Ó Sé who died on the 13th of January 2026.  In an interview recorded over a year ago in SMA House Wilton Cork, he spoke...

The Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026

The Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026

Feast of St Brigid, Secondary Patron of Ireland Readings: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12 Theme: The Beatitudes: Jesus’ Recipe for happiness By Michael McCabe, SMA. In...

My First Year of Priestly Ordination

My First Year of Priestly Ordination

(This article was first published in the African Missionary No.46 Autumn-Winter 2025)  In this reflection Fr Moses Katabawa, a Zambian SMA missionary, looks back on this first year as a priest, and...

Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026

Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026

Readings Isaiah 8: 23-9:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17; Matthew 4: 12-23 Theme: ‘The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light’ (Is 9:2) By Michael McCabe, SMA The theme of light looms...

Three African Conflicts 2026

Three African Conflicts 2026

Using information provided by the International Crisis Group  (ICG) on ten conflicts likely to continue in 2026, Netzwewrek Afrika Deutschland, the German antenna of the African Faith and Justice...

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

The Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026

The Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026

Feast of St Brigid, Secondary Patron of Ireland Readings: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12 Theme: The Beatitudes: Jesus’ Recipe for happiness By Michael McCabe, SMA. In...

Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026

Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026

Readings Isaiah 8: 23-9:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13,17; Matthew 4: 12-23 Theme: ‘The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light’ (Is 9:2) By Michael McCabe, SMA The theme of light looms...

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