EDITORIAL

Salvation begins here below. (Matthew 25:35).

The founder of the Missionaries of Africa and the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, Cardinal Charles Martial Lavigerie, constantly reminded the members who joined him to remain people of faith, close to God who called them. It is from this identity that they will be able to validly embark on various tasks such as teaching the faith, works of charity, school education, medical care, development work, commitment to human dignity, etc.

The testimony of Father Pierre Benson, a Missionary of Africa, well illustrates our founder's words. Indeed, the Society of Missionaries of Africa has always worked for the dignity of God's people, engaging in the fight against slavery in Africa at a time when it was not so obvious. The Missionaries of Africa have a clear commitment: justice and peace, and the integrity of creation. Salvation (spoken of in the Gospel of Matthew in chapters 25:31-46) begins here below, in our commitment to oppressed peoples, victims of social injustice, and all those marginalized in our modern societies.

Those who commit themselves to alleviating the suffering of others, to restoring hope and a smile to those along their path, to showing empathy to those who can no longer bear it, better reflect "humanity" as the Creator envisioned it. They are proclaimed "blessed" for the good they have done, even without knowing it. Each and every one of us is capable of showing humanity to those around us. Let us be "blessed" for the goodness within us.