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

St Joseph’s Church Blackrock Road – CLOSED

St Joseph’s Church Blackrock Road – CLOSED

Due to interior structural damage, our Church in Blackrock Road will remain closed until further notice.  We are awaiting the Engineer’s and Builder’s Report to assess the work and time...

SMA Journal – August 2025

SMA Journal – August 2025

In this month’s chapter of the SMA Journal we begin by visiting Dromantine for the Annual SMA Summer Camps run over five weeks in July and August.  Next, we visit the SMA Folklore Project in...

Homily for the 21st Sunday of Year 2025

Homily for the 21st Sunday of Year 2025

Readings: Isaiah 66:18-21; Hebrews 12: 5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30 Theme: Entering the Kingdom of God by the narrow door By Michael McCabe, SMA There is a double-edged message in today’s readings. On...

Northeast Nigeria affected by food insecurity

Northeast Nigeria affected by food insecurity

 (Agenzia Fides) – According to the International Red Cross, more than 3.3 million people in northeast Nigeria are affected by food insecurity. Most of these people are farmers who suffer from the...

Homily for the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2025

Homily for the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2025

Readings: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12: 1-4, 8-19, 9-11; Luke 12:49-53 Theme: Setting the World on Fire: Jesus’ Mission and Ours. By Fr. Michael McCabe, SMA. In today’s gospel Jesus says: ‘I...

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 19th Sunday of Year C 2025

Homily for the 19th Sunday of Year C 2025

Readings: Wisdom 18:6-9; Hebrews 11: 1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:32-49 Theme: ‘Fear not, little flock’ (Luke 12:32) By Michael McCabe, SMA According to the nineteenth century French philosopher, Charles...

Homily for the 18th Sunday of Year 2025

Homily for the 18th Sunday of Year 2025

Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23; Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21 Theme: Making ourselves rich in the sight of God By Fr Michael McCabe, SMA ‘Vanity of vanities, all is vanity’ (Ecc 1:2)....

Homily for the 17th Sunday of Year C, 2025

Homily for the 17th Sunday of Year C, 2025

Readings: Genesis 18: 20-32; Colossians 2:12-14; Luke 11:1-13 Theme: Lord, teach us to pray (Lk 11:1) By Michael McCabe, SMA. My first School Catechism defined prayer as ‘the raising up of mind and...

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