The missionary families of the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) and the Society of African Missions (SMA) are celebrating a Triple Jubilee from 2025 to 8 December 2026, marking key milestones in their shared missionary history and renewing their commitment to evangelization.

The jubilee commemorates three important anniversaries:
•    150 years of the foundation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles in 1876
•    170 years of the foundation of the Society of African Missions in 1856
•    200 years of the birth of Fr. Augustine Planque, founder of the OLA Sisters and Co-founder of the SMA.

The SMA was founded in Lyon, France, by Melchior de Marion Brésillac with the mission of proclaiming the Gospel, especially in Africa. After his death, Fr. Planque continued this vision and founded the OLA Sisters to support missionary work through evangelization, education, healthcare, and social outreach. From an initial group of ten women in France, the congregation has grown into an international and Intercultural missionary family serving in 21 countries, particularly in Africa.

The Jubilee celebrations began in the Republic of Benin, chosen because of its historic link with the first SMA and OLA missionaries in Africa. The opening events included a Mass in Cotonou, a candlelight procession and interreligious prayer in Ouidah, and a closing Mass in Porto-Novo. Under the theme “Together Let Us Proclaim the Good News,”. Missionaries, religious, and lay faithful gathered to celebrate their shared history and mission.

Throughout the jubilee period, OLA and SMA communities across the world are organizing pilgrimages, prayer gatherings, formation programs, conferences, and collaborative missionary initiatives. These activities aim to deepen reflection on the missionary charism of the founders and encourage renewed commitment to service in today’s world.

The jubilee will close on 8 December 2026, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a date of special significance for both congregations. The closing celebration will be celebrated at entity levels in all countries of mission, bringing together members of the two institutes, collaborators, all people of good will in thanksgiving for generations of missionary service.

More than an anniversary, the OLA and SMA Triple Jubilee is a time of gratitude, reflection, and renewal, inspiring missionaries and collaborators to continue proclaiming the Gospel and serving those most in need with courage and hope.