Several significant events brought our Province together this summer. From July 30 to August 22, 2024, members from the five countries of our province (Benin, Niger, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Côte d'Ivoire) gathered at the Notre Dame de l'Assomption Novitiate in Bobo-Dioulasso, located in the Southwest of Burkina Faso, for various reasons: the annual retreat led by Father Nestor DABIRE, a Burkinabé Jesuit on mission in Mali, the transmission of the General Chapter, the Provincial Chapter to elect new Provincial Councilors, generational meetings of sisters, and other activities.
In the midst of all this, we paused to celebrate a beautiful Eucharist marking the silver jubilee of our three sisters: Clémence Dondassé, Pascaline Kaboré, and Marie-Blandine Bahtey Kouassi, as well as the temporary profession of Joanna Marie Madeleine du Bon Pasteur and Claudine Marie Kiswend-Sida de Jésus. The Eucharist was presided over by Father Yves Joseph Marie TANGA, a friend of the Novitiate community. His homily on this occasion was profound and carried a message of hope. Here are a few excerpts:
“You have been chosen and called to love, to remain, and to bear fruit that will last (the life of God) with joy and trust! Do not fear, for I am with you! Do not fear, for I love you! Do not fear, for I am with you!... Do not fear, for my trust in you is renewed every morning!”
“This is the teaching of God's Word for us, on this day of thanksgiving and intercession for our sisters Clémence, Marie Blandine, and Pascaline Kaboré, who are celebrating their silver jubilee – at least they got their silver medal without going to the Olympics – and for Sisters Claudine Marie and Joanna Marie Madeleine, who are asking for the ‘grace to serve the Lord more perfectly’ in the Congregation of the Religious of the Assumption. Glory to the good, generous, and benevolent Lord for so many blessings of His tireless and fruitful love, which renew, stimulate, and inspire in us the desire to love and serve Him on the path marked and illuminated by the footprints of both the elder and younger daughters of Saint Marie-Eugénie of Jesus.” Addressing the assembly of sisters, parents, and friends, he said the following:
“I greet and congratulate our Jubilarians and our soon-to-be professed sisters. Together, in the joy that comes from trusting in the Lord’s faithfulness, let us celebrate the wonders of consecrated life, happily welcoming what the Lord is saying to our Assembly today: To Love – To Remain – To Give life and the joy of living in God and for the glory of God! With the assurance given by the Lord: I have redeemed and called you! Do not fear – you are mine – I am with you. These three words are both imperatives and infinitives (urgent and limitless commands) explained by three affirmative, present-tense phrases (it is certain and it is now that we must commit ourselves…). Thus, the adventure of those whom the Lord chooses and calls to Him is never ambiguous and should never be: it begins and unfolds with the Lord God, who takes the initiative in the relationship and, at the same time, commits Himself to fulfilling what His Word promises. Then He pleads: GIVE (generously)! DO NOT HOLD BACK (uselessly). (Is 43:7) If you want to love, remain, and give the life of God, like the Lord…” Finally, to the two novices about to make their first vows, he said:
“Dear Sisters Claudine Marie Kiswêndsida ROAMBA and Joanna Marie Madeleine KONKOBO, who are about to commit yourselves to the Congregation of the Religious of the Assumption through the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, the Lord is calling you to a high degree of love that is not weighed down by corruptible or insignificant joys that must be hidden or masked to simulate truth or righteousness. It is, according to the Gospel you have chosen, to love to the very end, like the Father and His Son; supported and guided by the gentle whisper of the life of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus: ‘To love is to give everything and to give oneself.’ Give everything to the Lord to love more and perfectly! Do not hold back for yourself or only for a few, the Lord’s gifts for life and mission! That would block the fruitfulness of the Gospel and wound community and fraternal life. Expect nothing in return, except to know that you are obeying the Lord’s command: As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love. In a total gift that is renewed each day by the serenity and generosity of ‘Joyful Detachment’: All for Jesus and for Jesus alone, because it is Him, and Him alone. This is the perfect joy to which the Lord calls you, and which the Church, through the Assumption, offers you. This is the source of true fruitfulness and perfect joy! MY SISTERS, DARE! And may the prayer of the whole Church accompany you.” At the end of this beautiful celebration on August 14, a fraternal meal and joyful dances concluded the day.
Sister Marie-Madeleine AGONOU, RA