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

SMA INTERNATIONAL NEWS – August 2024

SMA INTERNATIONAL NEWS – August 2024

Welcome to this new edition of our SMA News for this month of August 2024. In this edition we go to Poland where a meeting was held of SMA vocation directors from Europe and America.  In a report...

AUGUST 2024 | For political leaders

AUGUST 2024 | For political leaders

Let us pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and the common good, taking caring of those who have lost their jobs and giving...

My experience so far – FVC Newsletter 2024

My experience so far – FVC Newsletter 2024

This is the second in a series of short articles written by SMA Seminarians in Africa published in the 2024 Family Vocations Community Newsletter recently distributed to FVC Members.  It is about...

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024

Each year on 30 July, we observe World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. This year’s theme is “Leave No Child Behind* in the Fight Against Human Trafficking”. Marking the World Day Against...

AFRICAN DEMOCRACY – Afrobarometer Report

AFRICAN DEMOCRACY – Afrobarometer Report

The Executive Summary of the report “African insights 2024, Democracy at risk – the people’s perspective” is reproduced below. Researched and published by the nonprofit...

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 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Homily for the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Readings: Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43  Theme: Tenants in God’s Vineyard The images of vines and vineyards loom large in the Scriptures. They feature today in the first reading,...

Homily for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Homily for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Ezekiel 18:25-28 Philippians 2:1-11 Matthew 21:28-32 Today’s Gospel reminds us of how people can change their minds, or their way of life, for good or for evil. There are many such accounts in the...

Homily for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Homily for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Homily for the 25th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A Readings: Isaiah 55:6-9; Philippians 1:20-24,27; Matthew 20:1-16 Theme:   ‘Why be envious because I am generous’ (Mt 20:16) Our readings last...

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