The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński, accompanied by Monsignor Giacomo Antonicelli, Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature, visited the Bienvenu Shelter and the Mother Assunta Training Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday, November 12. Both institutions, which are part of the mission of the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo – Scalabrinians, are dedicated to welcoming, protecting, and promoting the well-being of migrant and refugee women and their children.
The visit began at the Bienvenu Shelter, where the Apostolic Nuncio was welcomed by the staff and learned about the institution’s history and mission, presented by Sister Marivane Chiesa, its director. During the tour, he also visited the children at the Lovely Beers Creche, who took part in a moment of prayer to Saint John Baptist Scalabrini and performed two songs about children’s rights and protection. On this occasion, he heard the testimony of Ivette Ngoie, a teacher at the creche.
Next, at the Mother Assunta Training Centre, the training and skills development courses offered to migrant and refugee women were presented. These educational spaces represent an important opportunity for developing skills, achieving greater autonomy, and building new life opportunities.
One of the central moments of the visit was the celebration of Holy Mass, held in the training centre’s hall and concelebrated by Monsignor Giacomo Antonicelli, Father Ivaldo Betim, a Scalabrinian Missionary, and Father Jean-Marie Did’ho Kuzituka, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg.
In his homily, Archbishop Henryk conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s greetings and blessing, recalling the closeness of the Holy Father and the Church to people of all nations, especially those experiencing suffering and vulnerability. He emphasized that the women and children welcomed at the institutions hold a special place in the heart of the Church and that their lives, hopes, and sufferings must never be met with indifference.
Inspired by the Word of God, particularly Saint Paul’s Letter to Philemon, the Apostolic Nuncio stressed that, before recognizing someone’s nationality, language, or circumstances, it is essential to recognize the human person, created in the image of God and endowed with a dignity that can never be taken away.
Reflecting on the history of the Bienvenu Shelter, inaugurated on March 23, 2001, Archbishop Henryk highlighted the pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg and the dedication of the Scalabrinian Sisters, who made this mission possible. As the institution celebrates its 25th anniversary, he expressed his gratitude to all the people and institutions that contributed to its foundation and continued work. He also recalled the generosity of the Sisters of the Holy Family and their founder, Pierre-Bienvenu Noailles, whose name inspired the institution.
The Apostolic Nuncio also emphasized that the presence of the Kingdom of God is revealed through everyday gestures of love: when a family finds a welcoming place, a mother receives support to learn new skills, and a child can play without fear. Addressing the women, he encouraged them to recognize the value of their experiences, abilities, and voices, actively participating in shaping their own futures. To the children, he expressed his wish that the shelter would be a place where they could grow, make friends, discover their gifts, and nurture their dreams.
On another occasion, Archbishop Henryk expressed his gratitude to the Scalabrinian Sisters for their mission of “being migrants with migrants,” walking alongside people and remaining close to them, even in moments of uncertainty. He also extended his appreciation to staff members, volunteers, partner organizations, refugee leaders, and benefactors, acknowledging each one’s contribution to building an environment of care, protection, and hope.
At the conclusion of his homily, the Apostolic Nuncio recalled that a welcoming society is built when prejudice gives way to encounter and the dignity of vulnerable people is respected. He entrusted the community to the protection of Mary, who, together with Saint Joseph, cared for the Child Jesus during their flight into Egypt, and asked Saint John Baptist Scalabrini to intercede for all those who share in this mission.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, the program continued with a presentation on the challenges faced by migrant and refugee women, delivered by Lisa de Sousa, Head of Human Resources. Testimonies were also shared by migrant women who are accompanied by and actively participate in the mission: Precious Moyo, from Zimbabwe, spoke about the difficulties involved in obtaining documentation; Ritah Mukyala, from Uganda, addressed access to education; Feza Chinienga, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, spoke about access to public healthcare services; and Alfha Mwemyi Ntumba shared her journey of resilience and empowerment.
The visit was a meaningful moment of communion, recognition, and closeness to the mission of the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo – Scalabrinians in South Africa. Above all, it reaffirmed that welcoming migrant and refugee women means offering more than a safe place: it means recognizing their dignity, strengthening their abilities, fostering their autonomy, and walking alongside them as they rebuild their stories, opening paths of hope for the future.
By Sister Marivane Chiesa, Director of the Bienvenu Shelter
