On Monday, 29 September 2025, the Bienvenu Shelter was blessed to welcome His Eminence Cardinal Michael Felix Czerny SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, together with his Secretary Reverend Father Joseph Savarimuthu.
The programme was held at The Mother Assunta Training Centre and they were warmly welcomed by the Chairperson of the Board, Fr. Jean Marie and the staff team. The Director introduced the mission of ‘Assisting Migrant and Refugee Women and their Children to better their lives’. There were testimonies presented by some of the students who graduated from the livelihood courses. The COO then presented the challenges faced by Migrants and Refugees in Johannesburg and this was followed by further testimonies from volunteers who directly faced specific difficulties accessing health, school and legal services.
The hall was filled with joy when the pre-school children presented in their Traditional Heritage clothing. One of our little ones recited the prayer of ‘Saint Scalabrini, Father to the Migrants’ and the children concluded with songs specific to their Human Rights and Safety precautions.
There was an opportunity for brief discussions which then concluded with a tour of the Training Centre to meet some of the students.
Cardinal Michael, spoke of ‘Hope’ and this being a real challenge after listening to the testimonials. It is a word that is not easy to use when faced with such challenges and not seeing things getting better, but we are people of Hope. Bienvenu Shelter has missionaries of hope. Migrants and Refugees arrive with little to give but come with hope of a better life and when they are welcomed they too are provided with much love, respect and hope.
With heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the presence of his Eminence and Rev. Father Joseph. We continue to pray for all Migrants and Refugees, that they may find dignity, peace and hope in the host country and within the mission of Bienvenu Shelter.
‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’ Matthew 25:35.
