Goma | Goma (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
OPERA M35
MISSION
Location
Diocese
Goma
Country
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Continent
Africa
GPS coordinates
-1.65843 29.2223
Time zone
UTC+2
ORGANIZER
Congregation
Religieuses de l’Instruction Chrétienne
Motherhouse
Liège, Belgium
Diocese
Liège
Country
Belgium
Continent
Europe
Congregation Feast
25 March
GPS coordinates
50.63960 5.57009
Time zone
UTC+1
Contact person
Sister Francine Mave Ditsove
Mother General
Sister Anuarite Mandesi Bodha
Website
OPERA M is the revolution of the works of mercy. It is the permanent instrument for developing a strong and renewed vision of the works in the world.
It stems from an urgent need strongly felt by spazio + spadoni to rEvolutionize the concept of a work of mercy as a journey that is always both human and divine at the same time, and therefore always spiritual as well as practical (or corporal). The rediscovery, indeed, the true rEvolution of the works must be rediscovered within this synthesis between the spiritual aspect and practical action. Material action must always be permeated by the spirit.
OPERA M is based on five actions that define its method: INVOKE, call upon the Spirit LISTEN, be silent to open yourself to listening MEET, be among the people LET US ACT, act for the works LET US FLOOD, bring everyone to the Works of Mercy Spiritual Works of Mercy Counsel the doubtful Instruct the ignorant Admonish sinners Comfort the afflicted Forgive offenses Bear patiently those who wrong us Pray to God for the living and the dead Corporal Works of Mercy Feed the hungry Give drink to the thirsty Clothe the naked Shelter pilgrims Visit the sick Visit prisoners Bury the dead
Timeline
2023
21 February | Beginning of the relationship with the Congregation
The Congregation's first contact is established, marking the beginning of the collaboration with spazio + spadoni
17-28 July | Works of Mercy Training
Sister Anuarite, Provincial Superior of the Congregation, comes to Italy to take part in training for Ambassadors and Linkers of the Works of Mercy, promoted within spazio + spadoni's framework of the reEvolution of the Works of Mercy – OPERA M
16 November | Sister’s arrival
Sister Francine arrives in Italy, welcomed by Congregazione Missionaria Santa Gemma and Comunità Parrocchiale Santa Gemma, to carry out the HIC SUM project and deepen her knowledge of the Works of Mercy according to the OPERA M charism promoted by spazio + spadoni
07 December | OPERA M Training
Luigi Spadoni meets Sister Francine for a day's training on the importance of spreading the Works of Mercy and on structuring OPERA M once she has returned to the Congo
December | spazio + spadoni meets the Goma community
During a missionary trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Selene travels to Goma and stays in the community of Sister Anuarite and Sister Francine, who is in Italy at the time. She is welcomed by Provincial Superior Sister Anuarite
November – December | Training
In November and December, Sister Francine’s training in Italy focuses mainly on the Works of Mercy
2024
January – March | Parish and community activities
Sister Francine’s training: after-school activities, creative youth center, training on the Works of Mercy, charity canteen
15 February | OPERA M Training
Luigi Spadoni meets Sister Francine to conduct training on the reEvolution of the Works of Mercy
03 March | Works of Mercy Training
Works of Mercy training with Sister Gloriose and visit to Pistoia
24 March | Sister’s departure
Sister Francine brings forward her return to the Congo because of commitments with the university where she works
2025
February – December | Works of Mercy with refugees
Due to the war's intensification in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the sisters of the Congregation are forced to revise the program they had prepared for spreading the Works of Mercy. In Goma, Sister Francine, Sister Anuarite and the community train their fellow sisters and help local residents during the war's emergency. In Bunia, at the Congregation's other community, the sisters provide training and practice the Works of Mercy in the refugee camps.
12-13 October | Meeting with spazio + spadoni
Meeting in Rome between spazio + spadoni, Sister Francine, Sister Anuarite and the Congregation. The sisters were in Italy both for a general meeting of the Congregation and to participate in the Jubilee; the Jubilee's occasion provided the right opportunity for a meeting and a discussion about the activities supported by spazio + spadoni
Works of Mercy Reports
Photos and videos
