This weekend we made our annual pilgrimage to Knock, Ireland’s national Marian shrine, together with the Society of African Missions.
We came together in prayer, remembrance and thanksgiving around three anniversaries: 170 years since the Society of African Missions was founded, 150 years since the foundation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, and 200 years since the birth of Fr Augustine Planque, whose vision gave rise to the OLA Sisters.
Pilgrims arrived from different places and different contexts of mission and life. There was time shared in conversation, in prayer, and in remembering the people who carried this mission forward long before us. Their stories were present in the gathering, alongside awareness of the communities and cultures that continue to shape and sustain the work today.
Symbols from the OLA missionary journey were brought forward during our District Leader, Sr Mary Crowley’s address. Each one carried meaning drawn from lived experience and relationships formed over time.
The transcript of Sr Mary’s address follows:
Good afternoon.
Father Richard Gibbons, Parish Priest of Knock, SMA Fathers, OLA Sisters, friends, supporters, and fellow pilgrims gathered here at Our Lady’s Shrine.
Today, we gather with grateful hearts as the SMA and OLA come together on pilgrimage to Knock — one missionary family standing together on holy ground.
This year is a moment of grace as we celebrate three milestones in our shared missionary story: 170 years since the foundation of the Society of African Missions, 150 years since the foundation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, and 200 years since the birth of Father Augustine Planque, SMA.
We now bring forward symbols representing the OLA missionary journey.
The Image of Augustine Planque
We bring the image of our founder, Father Augustine Planque, SMA, who believed deeply that women had an important role in mission and, in 1876, founded the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles.
As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, we honour the women who left home with open hearts: to teach, to heal, to empower women, to nurture faith, and to bring comfort wherever it was most needed.
We give praise and thanks to God for their mission.
The Candle
With this candle, we remember the Irish people and the light they have brought to our missionary story.
Irish families opened their homes and hearts to SMA priests and OLA Sisters. They sustained this mission through prayer, financial support, and countless hidden sacrifices known only to God.
Our schools, clinics, hospitals, formation houses, and ministries — from evangelisation to justice and care for creation — reflect the generosity of Irish people.
With grateful hearts, we thank you, trusting that God will bless every kindness shared.
The African Cloth
This multicoloured African cloth speaks to the heart of our OLA mission: vibrant in spirit, woven together by Sisters from different cultures, and full of life.
Today, two-thirds of our Sisters are African, a testament to how deeply the OLA congregation has taken root and flourished. We are more than 600 Sisters serving in 21 countries, engaged in ministries in schools, clinics, hospitals, and formation houses, and committed to evangelisation, justice, and care for creation.
What began as a mission to Africa has become mission from Africa, with SMA priests and OLA Sisters from many countries now sharing life and ministry here in Ireland.
The Necrology
We bring this book containing the names of our deceased OLA Sisters and SMA brothers.
Their names remind us of lives given generously in service, prayer, and mission. As we honour their memory, we entrust them to God’s loving mercy and pray that the Lord may grant them eternal rest and peace.
On this eve of Pentecost, and the Feast of Our Lady of Apostles, may the Holy Spirit, whose coming we await, strengthen our faith, deepen our hope, and fill our hearts with abiding peace and love.
Thank you.