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 Waters SMA [RIP]

Fr Michael Waters SMA [RIP]

The death has taken place of Fr Michael Waters, SMA. Fr Michael died peacefully with his family around him at the SMA House, African Missions, Blackrock Road on Tuesday, 5 November 2024. After...

COP 29 – its hard to be hopeful

COP 29 – its hard to be hopeful

The UN’s 29th Climate Change Conference of Peoples (Cop 29) will take place from the 11 to the 22nd of Nov.  The under-whelming progress of previous COPs especially the last two, in Edinburgh...

SMA INTERNATIONAL NEWS – Nov 2024

SMA INTERNATIONAL NEWS – Nov 2024

Welcome to the SMA International News for November.  In this edition we hear about a visit by a group of young people from Turin to the Ivory Coast. Following contact with the SMA through missionary...

2024 Conference on Intergenerational Climate Justice

2024 Conference on Intergenerational Climate Justice

Climate Breakdown:  Who Cares?  This was the theme for the 5th Conference on Intergenerational Climate Justice Conference that took place online on the morning of the 17th of October. This annual...

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 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B

Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B

Readings: Jonah 3:1-5,10; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20 Theme:   The God of Second Chances One of the favourite aphorisms of a former priest companion of mine was: ‘You never get a second...

Homily for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Year B

Homily for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Year B

Readings: Isaiah 50:1-11; 1 John 5:1-9; Mark 1:7-11 Theme: ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you’ (Mark 1:11) Today, we reach the end of the Christmas season, and come to the third...

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