Congo Mission Preaching 2026
The Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross, commonly known as the Crosier Fathers and Brothers, are one of the oldest religious orders in the Catholic Church. Founded by Blessed Theodore de Celles in 1210 in what is today the Diocese of Liège, in Belgium, the Crosiers have served the Church for more than 800 years.
Today, the Crosier Order is present in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Our life and mission are rooted in the spirituality of the Glorious Cross. In a world marked by suffering and uncertainty, we proclaim the hope and victory found in the Glorious Cross of Christ. As Canons Regular, we are committed to community life, the celebration of the Church’s liturgy, and service to the poor and vulnerable. Today, I invite you to support the Crosier mission in the second largest country in Africa – the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo—formerly known as the Belgian Congo and later Zaire—is among the poorest nations in the world. Nearly 70% of the population lives in extreme poverty, surviving on less than three dollars a day due to decades of armed conflict and political instability.
In Kinshasa, the country’s overcrowded capital, thousands of children live abandoned on the streets. They are commonly known as “Shege,” or street children. Without access to education, stable shelter, or family support, these children are exposed to hunger, violence, forced labor, drug abuse, and sexual exploitation.
In response to this crisis, the Crosier Fathers and Brothers established the Mboka Bolingani (“Village of Love”) orphanage in the 1990s. The mission of Mboka Bolingani is not simply to provide food and shelter, but to offer orphaned and abandoned children a true home built on the foundation of love, dignity, compassion, and hope.
Since the founding of Mboka Bolingani, many children have been rescued from the dangerous streets of Kinshasa and given the opportunity to grow in a safe and loving environment.
One of them is Arnold Osumaka, who was abandoned on the streets at the age of three. In 1996, he was welcomed into the Village of Love, where he received care, education, and unconditional love. Today, Arnold is a responsible husband and the loving father of two beautiful children. He remains deeply grateful for the care and compassion he received from the Crosiers.
Brothers and sisters, rescuing children like Arnold from poverty and violence remains at the heart of the mission of Mboka Bolingani today. The Crosiers are now working to expand the orphanage’s capacity from 25 to 100 boys and girls. In addition, to ensure sustainable support for the children’s education, healthcare, and daily needs, the Crosiers are planning to build an accommodation and spiritual center that will help generate local income for the orphanage.
The estimated cost of expanding the village and constructing the accommodation center is approximately four million dollars. To accomplish this mission, we need every support we can have. We need your prayers and financial support. Your generosity will help us provide vulnerable children with safety, education, hope, and the opportunity for a better future.
May God bless and multiply all that you generously place in His hands by serving those in need.