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

Pope Francis’ Vision of a Synodal Church

Pope Francis’ Vision of a Synodal Church

Below is the third in a series of reflections written by Fr Micheal McCabe SMA on synodality.  Links to the previous two at given at the end of this article,  Introduction From the beginning of his...

SMA Ordinations – 12 April 2024

SMA Ordinations – 12 April 2024

Today the 12th of April six young SMA’s have been ordained at the Church of Sts John and Sylvia in the Diocese of Ngong in Kenya.  The ceremony was presided over by Most Reverend John Mbinda...

APRIL 2024 | For the role of women

APRIL 2024 | For the role of women

Pope Francis: “If we don’t respect women, our society will not progress”  In The Pope Video for April, Pope Francis lifts up his prayer “that the dignity and worth of women be recognized in every...

SMA International News – April 2024

SMA International News – April 2024

Welcome to SMA International News For the Month of April. In this edition we are happy to feature the work of the SMA in the District of Tanzania that has reached a significant stage in a major...

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

6th Sunday of Easter – Year A

6th Sunday of Easter – Year A

Readings:  Acts 8:5-8,14-17; 1Peter 3:15-18; Jn 14: 15-21 Theme:  ‘I will not leave you orphans; I will come back to you’ (Jn 14:18)  ‘Nobody’s Child’ was a popular song in the 1960’s. Sung by Hank...

5th Sunday of Easter – Year A

5th Sunday of Easter – Year A

Readings: Acts 6:1-7; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12 Theme: Following and witnessing to the Way of Jesus The context of today’s gospel reading is Jesus’ lengthy conversation with his disciples at the...

4th Sunday of Easter – Year A

4th Sunday of Easter – Year A

Readings: Acts 2:14, 36-41; 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10 Theme:   ‘I have come that you may have life  and have it abundantly’ (Jn 10:10) Today is World Day of Prayer for Vocations, a day when we...

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