Vienna (Austria). On 14 November 2025, at the Ariana Center in Vienna-Donaustadt as part of the annual “Austria.On.Mission.Award” ceremony, Sister Johanna (Hanni) Denifl, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, Missionary in Benin, received the “EMIL” award in the “Missionary from Austria” category.
More than 300 people attended the event, including the Auxiliary Bishop of Vienna, Bishop Franz Scharl, and Bishop Emeritus of St. Pölten, Bishop Klaus Küng. In addition to some of Sister Hanni’s relatives, Sister Hermine Mülleder, Animator of St. Gabriel the Archangel Community in Vienna; and Sister Maria Maul, of Mary Auxilium Community in Vöcklabruck, were present to represent Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello Province (AUG).
The Austria.On.Mission-Awards, at the 6th edition, are promoted by the Pontifical Mission Societies in Austria (Missio), and annually reward people or groups who are exemplarily committed to the mission worldwide or who carry out missionary activity. The Award “EMIL” consists of a Bronze Donkey and refers to the biblical symbolism for which Jesus chose a pack animal for His entry into Jerusalem.
With their commitment, the honorees “bear witness to the Gospel of our time.” The other awards went to Sister Annie Demerjian as “Hero of Charity”, Michael Cech as “Missionary in Austria”, and the Upper Austrian missionary, Johann Rauscher, as “Star of the Mission”.
Sister Hanni Denifl, originally from Tyrol, she has been involved in the West African Mother of God Province(AFO) for the children and young people for 20 years. Thanking for the Award, she said, “It is a great honor and joy to receive this award, but it is not just mine. Without my Sisters I could accomplish nothing.”
Arriving in Africa in 2006, she initially headed the Child Protection Center “Foyer Marie Dominique” in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), assisting girls, including so-called “witch children”, and supporting young people through education and vocational training programs.
She currently works in Cotonou, Benin, in Blessed Laura Vicuña Community, made up of 13 FMA working on behalf of children and girls who are exploited, sold, or forced into marriage. But, Sister Hanni added, external support is also crucial, “Without benefactors and without partners like Missio Austria, we would only accomplish a tenth of our work.”
Together with the other Sisters, the missionary is particularly dedicated to children and young people at risk. She accompanies street girls, often victims of exploitation, supports young mothers in the “House of the Sun,” a temporary shelter with assistance and advice, and ensures their professional formation in jobs such as pastry making, hairdressing, or cooking in the “House of Hope.” In addition, she assists young people in prisons, providing opportunities for learning, psychological support, socio-educational accompaniment, legal advice, and post-detention assistance.
She is also involved in working with families, prevention in schools, and pastoral care in communities. The objective of the FMA of the mission is to provide a safe home, prospects, and hope for the future to children and young people in difficulty.
To Sister Hanni, along with the congratulations on the recognition, the wish to continue to spend herself with the same missionary ardor as the first Sisters sent on a mission 150 years ago, on behalf of the poorest young women and young people, especially the most vulnerable, allowing them to experience the tenderness of God the Father in the joy of the Salesian Charism.
