The Spirituality of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is at the heart of our identity and mission. We are called to contemplate the Heart of Jesus, a Heart that loves without conditions, a Heart that gives itself generously for the life of others. As the Province of Africa, we are missioned, as Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to embody the charism of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, that is to: Glorify the Heart of Jesus and answer His call to discover and reveal his love letting ourselves be transformed by His Spirit…. through our love and service to radiate the very love of His Heart.” (Const.par.5) In the Province of Africa, we ought to live our spirituality in ways that speak to realities of our Province. The African context offers us concrete ways of understanding and expressing the love of the Heart of Jesus. In cultures of Africa, hospitality means making room for the stranger, sharing even when what is there is little. Paragraph 56 of our Constitutions underscores our traditional way of hospitality when it calls us to “Strive to reduce our needs, to have less in order to share”. The African spirit of family reminds us that another’s joy or suffering concerns the whole community. We see this solidarity when families care for the sick, when neighbors support one another during bereavement and when communities come together to celebrate. These are beautiful expressions of love that resonate deeply with the compassionate Heart of Jesus. However, insecurity these days have impacted our trust of neighbor! Have you noticed? We are cautious of who we let in! We live amidst painful realities: poverty, unemployment among young people, the effects of conflict and displacement, and the wounds caused by division, injustice, and exclusion seen in the vulnerability of women and children leave alone the loneliness of older people! Within our own communities, cultural differences, misunderstandings, and tensions can arise and challenge our ability to live our spirituality of living with the love of the Heart of Jesus. The spirituality of the Sacred Heart invites us not to turn away from these realities but to allow the Heart of Jesus to shape our responses. For instance, we listen to those whose voices are rarely heard and build communities where every person feels valued, loved and belongs. In conclusion, as the Province of Africa, how can we re-capture and live core African values? What does the Heart of Jesus ask of us in the concrete realities of Africa today and how can our lives and ministries become a living expression of His love? Hilda Bamwine RSCJ