Bro. Aloyce Kisoly  msfs

The first thought that comes from my heart, is that of gratitude to the Lord, the giver of every grace, who sent the MSFS to the African continent.  It is followed by a great sense of gratitude and appreciation to all members of the missionaries of St. Francis de sales whom I have come across directly or indirectly during the past years. The efforts the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales have made in the evangelization and in the over all development of the Church and the society in Africa and the degree of success they have achieved are marvellous.

The beginning of the Mission in Africa was just a leap in to the dark, trusting that the Lord was there for it was a leap for the Lord. And the LORD was there. He is still there. That makes the presence of the Fransalians in Africa of a unique nature. In Fransalians here I experience a Christ centred community striving for the ideals of the Kingdom of God. 

I am not here to enumerate the achievements of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales in my homeland. On the other hand I would like of point out some of the striking features of the Fransalians in Africa especially in East Africa. I think among all the religious societies that have entered Tanzania as foreign congregations in the recent decades, none has flourished and none has established itself like the Fransalian Society.  It is also noteworthy that MSFS has been also instrumental explicitly or implicitly for many other religious congregations to come and get rooted in African soil.

The dynamism of the Missionaries is remarkable. No wonder some of the local clergy men said: “While we walk, MSFS run!” It is through selfless service and commitment for the cause of the Church and the Society the missionaries have reached the stage where they are today.  In spite of the diverse adverse situations, what keep MSFS still going forward are determination, spirit of perseverance, deep trust in God and the spirit of oneness of the Fransalian Family. No doubt, the advent of the Fransalian Presence in Africa has been so beneficial to the people of this continent in various ways.   It is really fulfilling the will of the Lord to live out the Kingdom values in an intensive manner.

In our times when the great desire of our Beloved Founder

for the Mission in Africa is being fulfilled in the fullness of time

in such amazing ways, my heart brims with gratitude to the Almighty God

and to every member of the Fransalian family

in Africa and in the entire world.

I wish and earnestly pray that, the Our Lord and the Most Blessed Mary our sweet mother, may accompany us and fill our lives with great enthusiasm in the service of God and his Church in this part of the world. May the Author of beauty and source of all goodness, bless our congregation that the mission it carries to all mankind may continue to be successful and beneficial to all.

Back to OUT OF AFRICA | Vol. I (2004)