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

Flowers from Africa

Flowers from Africa

Below is text from a Background Paper published by the German Network Africa which is affiliated to the Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network (AEFJN).  This short but interesting piece is full of...

Answer to a Prayer

Answer to a Prayer

Setting out to complete a long-held dream to canoe around Ireland Fr Michael O’Shea made good headway until he was crossing Dundalk Bay.  Then things changed. In this video ‘An Answer to a...

JUNE 2024 | For those fleeing their own countries

JUNE 2024 | For those fleeing their own countries

Let us pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys fraught with danger and violence, may find welcome and new living opportunities in their host countries. When we...

Together, we are stronger

Together, we are stronger

At a time when we hear much about a vocal right wing anti-immigrant movement in Ireland we are delighted to bring you this short video that celebrates the positive and needed contribution made by...

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 Feast of the Transfiguration

Homily for the Feast of the Transfiguration

Homily for the Feast of the Transfiguration (6th August 2023) Readings: Daniel 7:9-10; Peter 1:16-19; Matthew 17:1-9 Theme:  ‘I looked at Christ transfigured without fear’ (Patrick Kavanagh) The...

Homily for the 17th Sunday of Year A

Homily for the 17th Sunday of Year A

Readings:  1 Kings 3:5,7-12; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52  Theme:   The Treasure Hidden in our Hearts ‘He is playing a game that I’m not familiar with.’ This was the comment of the legendary...

Homily for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Homily for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

Readings: Wisdom 12:13.16-19; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43 Theme: The Patience of God Today’s readings highlight a virtue that is fast disappearing from our world: the virtue of patience....

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