Today, 25th of June members of the Society of African Missions all around the world mark the 166th Anniversary of the death of the SMA founder, Melchior de Marion Brésillac. He died with the words “Faith, Hope and Charity“ on his lips, only six weeks after he arrived in Freetown Sierra Leone.
Without his vision, determination and commitment to Mission, the many achievements made by generations of SMA Missionaries would not 
have happened. His witness and example inspired others to continue the work he began.
Today over 800 SMA Missionaries live and work in 17 African countries as well as Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Today there are sixteen SMA Provinces and also ten other SMA Districts and Delegations (i.e. smaller organizational structures and groups). Together these comprise of over 800 missionaries who live and work in 17 African countries as well as Europe, the Americas and Asia.
The work of SMAs, since it’s foundation by Melchior de Marion Brésillac in 1856 has made a great contribution to;
- the spreading of the Gospel message and the establishment the Church in Africa,
- to education – through the establishment and running of schools,
- to social development,
- to healthcare and
- to the training of Missionaries in Africa. Today there are over 400 seminarians in SMA Houses of Formation in African countries.
For more information about the Founder click on this link https://sma.ie/founder-melchior-de-marion-bresillac/