Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa (White Sisters)

MISSIONARY SISTERS OF OUR LADY OF AFRICA (WHITE SISTERS). - Msgr. Lavigerie, Archbishop of Algiers, founded this Congregation, just as he had founded that of the Missionaries of Africa (known as the White Fathers). On 8 September 1869 he received some young women who had come from France to devote themselves to the education of orphan girls, victims of the famine of 1867. At the outset the founder wanted the sisters to devote themselves to agricultural work, even heavy work. In 1874 the Institute merged with that of the Sisters of the Assumption, becoming autonomous in 1879. The White Sisters then numbered about forty.

After a period of crisis, during which the founder thought of dissolving the Congregation, the strong character and humility of Mother Maria Salome, superior general, overcame every obstacle. Besides the sanctification of the sisters in the common life, the purpose of the Congregation was the exercise of charity, religious instruction, the care of the sick in hospitals, but above all cooperation in the missions of Africa. Vocations came in great numbers. The mother house was established at St. Charles of Birmandreis, in Algeria. Vast fields of mission opened up from Kabylia to the Sahara, from Tunisia to French Sudan, to Tanganyika, to Rwanda, in Urundi, in Uganda, in the Congo, in all the missions of Africa held by the White Fathers. Houses arose in France, in Belgium, in Holland, in Canada and elsewhere. In 1948 the White Sisters numbered about 1,500, scattered over more than 160 residences.

Giovanni Cottino