The Society of African Missions at Dromantine
Part of an international community serving Africa and communities worldwide with faith and purpose.
Global Mission, Rooted in Dromantine
The Society of African Missions (SMA) is an international community of Catholic missionaries dedicated to serving the peoples of Africa and those of African origin across the world. The initials “SMA” derive from the Society’s Latin name, Societas Missionum ad Afros.
Dromantine is owned and operated by the SMA, which today has approximately 1,000 members drawn from Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. The Irish Province of the SMA comprises five houses located in Cork (two), Dublin, Claregalway, and Dromantine.
Founder: Bishop Melchior de Marion Brésillac
The Society of African Missions was founded in Lyon, France, in 1856 by Bishop Melchior de Marion Brésillac. A deeply committed missionary, he was driven by a desire to bring the message of the Gospel to Africa, particularly to what he described as “the most abandoned peoples of Africa.”
In 1859, Bishop de Brésillac and five companions travelled to Freetown, Sierra Leone. Tragically, within six weeks of their arrival, he and four of his companions died during a yellow fever epidemic. His final words, spoken on 25 June 1859—“Faith, Hope, Charity”—became the enduring motto of the Society.
Despite these early hardships, the vision and mission of the founder have continued to grow and flourish over the decades, shaping the work of the SMA to this day.
The SMA Today
Today, the SMA serves in 51 dioceses across Africa, as well as in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania. In addition to missionary work abroad, members actively promote the missionary dimension of the Church in their home countries through a range of pastoral and outreach activities, including support for African communities and immigrants.
The international headquarters of the SMA is based in Rome.
Discover more about the work of the SMA at: Click here
Friends of Africa
Friends of Africa is a development organisation that originated as a lay initiative connected to the Society of African Missions. Established by former participants of the SMA Youth Summer Camp at Dromantine, it reflects a shared commitment among young people in Ireland to engage more deeply with the mission of the Church in Africa.
Formed in 1998 following discussions with the SMA Superior General, the organisation was created to support young people in contributing meaningfully to development efforts in Africa. Its mission is to build strong, positive connections between Ireland and Africa while addressing challenges faced by young people in both regions.
Today, Friends of Africa works in partnership with local organisations in countries including Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, and Ghana, supporting a range of established community projects.
Find out more about the work of Friends of Africa at: Click Here