Happy Birthday
15 May 2026
Ferdinand Ezekwonna
Germany
Athanasius Nwosu
Guyane
Ascencio Waiga
Uganda
Kennedy DONG
Kenya + South Sudan
Bernard Olorunfemi
Mexico
Jacinto Sibandio
Gabon - Guinée Équatoriale
Orlando Prata
Amazónia
Thanh Pham
Taiwan
André MONTON
Malawi
It would be a great and admirable thing, for the Holy Spirit to accomplish in our souls this holy union with Jesus in Mary and with Mary in Jesus.
Francis Libermann
Cf. Spiritual Letters, II, 424, 1840.
Ce serait une chose très grande, très douce et très admirable, si l’Esprit Saint accomplissait en nos âmes cette union si sainte avec Jésus en Marie, et avec Marie en Jésus.
François Libermann
Cf. Lettres Spirituelles, II, 424, 1840.
Seria uma coisa muito grande, muito suave e muito admirável, se o Espírito Santo realizasse nas nossas almas esta união tão santa com Jesus e Maria e com Maria em Jesus.
Francisco Libermann
Cf. Cartas Espirituais, II, 424, 1840.
Happy Anniversary
15 May 2026
Renatus Assenga
Presbyteral ordination
Justi Tarimo
Presbyteral ordination
Gerald Kimata
Presbyteral ordination
John Wambu
Presbyteral ordination
Henry Omwoyo
Presbyteral ordination
Tolotra Andriniaina
Presbyteral ordination
Desidery MFOI
Presbyteral ordination
Evagre Silayo
Presbyteral ordination
Show more
Death Anniversaries
15 May 2026
Anthony Gittins
Manchester
Louis Perreault
Libermann Hall, Bethel Park PA.
Rémi Peeters
Berlaar
Bernard Courant
+ 35.Rennes (France)
John Coleman
+ Kimmage (Ireland)
Bernard Flynn
+ Dun Laoghaire (Ireland)
Jean Kerloc'h
+ 56.Langonnet (France)
Matthew Evanstock
+ Hemet, CA (USA)
Show more
Our brothers and sisters in Africa, including our conFrères, have a lesson for us as we come up against obstacles and an awareness of how weak we are. We sometimes hear people who are handicapped in some way being referred to as "challenged" by their condition. Such people often make huge efforts to overcome the limits imposed on them by such difficulties. They draw upon hidden resources that they have never used before. Many people in Africa are faced with incredible difficulties. It is a constant struggle to keep themselves and their families alive. In seeing this courageous suffering before their eyes, Spiritans from Africa and elsewhere find unsuspected reserves of strength within themselves, just as it was for the first Spiritans who arrived on the continent with a very short expectancy of life. Many conFrères, both young and old, willingly put their own lives at risk.
Pierre Schouver, Pentecost Letter, 1997
1845 Madagascar
Having received a letter describing the climate of the island of Nossy-Bé as "unhealthy and debilitating", Libermann postpones a decision to send some of his missionaries to Madagascar.
1875 Guyane
In a letter to the Minister in Paris, the Governor of Guyane, Delacroix, insists that the Spiritans be put in charge of the pastoral care of the island.
1886 Rome
A decree from the Congregation for Saints in Rome approves the writings of François Libermann, adding that "it is rare that an examination arrives at such a favourable conclusion".
1890 Gabon
Profession of the first religious sisters from Gabon, in the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception of Castres.
Nos frères et sœurs d’Afrique et nos confrères là-bas, nous apprennent peut-être quelque chose d’essentiel au moment où chacun de nous rencontre des obstacles et fait l’expérience de sa faiblesse. Beaucoup d’Africains sont affrontés à des difficultés incroyables. ils luttent pour leur vie et celle de leur famille. Parce que les Spiritains africains et ceux d’ailleurs sont témoins de leurs souffrances et de leur courage, ils trouvent en eux-mêmes des forces insoupçonnées, celles sans doute qui animaient les premiers Spiritains arrivés sur le continent avec une espérance de vie très limitée. Des confrères, jeunes et âgés, ont accepté de mettre leur vie en jeu.
P. Schouver, Supérieur général, Lettre Pentecôte 97
1845 Madagascar
A la suite d'une lettre décrivant le climat de l'Ile de Nossy-Be comme malsain et débilitant, le P. Libermann renonce au projet d'y envoyer des missionnaires du St Cœur de Marie, remettant à plus tard la décision.
1875 Guyane
Lettre du Gouverneur Delacroix au ministre. des Colonies Il insiste pour que les Spiritains prennent en charge la Guyane.
1886 Rome
Décret de Rome approuvant les écrits du P. Libermann avec cette notification : "Il est rare que l'examen aboutisse à un résultat aussi favorable."
1890 Gabon
Profession religieuse des deux premières Sœurs gabonaises dans la Congrégation de l’Immaculée Conception de Castres.
Os nossos irmãos e irmãs da África e os nossos confrades que lá se encontram, ensinam-nos talvez algo de essencial no momento em que cada um de nós encontra obstáculos e experimenta a sua fraqueza. Muitos Africanos enfrentam dificuldades incríveis. Lutam pela sua vida e pela da sua família. Porque os espiritanos africanos e outros são testemunhas do seu sofrimento e da sua coragem, encontram neles mesmos forças insuspeitas, sem dúvida aquelas que animavam os primeiros espiritanos chegados ao continente com uma esperança de vida muito limitada. Confrades, jovens e idosos, aceitaram pôr a sua vida em jogo.
P. Schouver, Superior Geral, Carta de Pentecostes 97
1845 Madagáscar
Na sequência duma carta descrevendo o clima da ilha de Nossy-Be como insalubre e debilitante, o P. Libermann renuncia ao projecto de enviar para aí missionários do Sagrado Coração de Maria, deixando para mais tarde a decisão.
1875 Guiana
Carta do Governador Delacroix ao ministro das Colónias. Insiste para que os Espiritanos se ocupem da Guiana.
1886 Roma
Decreto de Roma aprovando os escritos do P. Libermann com esta nota: “É raro que o exame leve a um resultado tão favorável”.
1890 Gabão
Profissão religiosa das duas primeiras religiosas do Gabão na Congregação das Irmãs da Imaculada Conceição de Castres.
2957Spiritans
Bishops
29
Priests
2101
Brothers
74
Perm. Deacons
3
Init. Formation
524
Lay Associates
226
795Communities
America
137
Africa
494
Europe
136
Asia
17
Oceania
11
