The Fourth Sunday of Lent, known as Laetare Sunday, marks a joyful pause on the journey toward Easter. This day became a special source of joy within our congregation, especially in the Rwanda-Chad Province, with the celebration of the first vows of two novices: Césarine Marie de Dieu Miséricordieux and Anuarite Marie Janvière du Verbe Incarné.
On the eve of this event, the sisters, lay members, and young people of the Assumption gathered for the presentation of the CGP. Through the testimony and sharing of Sister Claire Josée and Mr. Innocent, everyone was able to deepen their understanding of the CGP and the experience of the Assomption Ensemble Committee. This meeting prepared hearts for the great joy that would culminate in the reception of the novices’ first vows.
During the vigil that opened the celebration, the novices presented symbols accompanied by the testimony of their lives and their journey with God. For one, hands extended before a bottle of water expressed a life oriented toward Jesus, the Incarnate Word and source of living water. For the other, the nest, egg, and lit candle symbolized a fragile life called to grow within the congregation and the Church, enlightened by the light of Christ.
The novices and junior sisters, responsible for the liturgical animation, carried out their mission well. In his homily, the parish priest of Kabuga, Father Ildefonse of the Pallottine Fathers, connected the day’s readings with the celebration. He emphasized that God’s gaze differs from that of human beings, referring to the vocation of David, and highlighted the obedience and trust of the man born blind in the Gospel. He addressed both the parents and the novices preparing to profess their vows.
After the song of thanksgiving, the newly professed sisters expressed their gratitude to God, their parents, teachers, and catechists, as well as to the Church, the congregation, and all their formators.
The celebration continued in a fraternal and festive atmosphere, with a shared meal, dances, and cultural presentations by the novices, along with several speeches. Parents expressed gratitude for their daughters’ journey and for all who accompanied them. The parish priest of Kabuye expressed his joy in seeing both senior sisters and newly professed sisters as a living hope for the Church and for consecrated life, inviting everyone to continue praying for vocations.
In her address, our Provincial Sister explained to parents the meaning of the three religious vows: chastity as a path toward greater love and spiritual fruitfulness; poverty understood not as misery but as inner freedom from possessions; and obedience lived as the search for and acceptance of God’s will through human mediation. She then announced the new appointments: Anuarite Marie Janvière is sent to the Saint Augustine of Atrone II community in Chad, while Césarine Marie joins the Provincial House in Gikondo.
At 6:30 p.m., the joy continued with the celebration of Vespers, followed by dinner and an intercultural evening animated by songs and dances. This moment of sharing deeply delighted the assembly. The day concluded with a blessing, sealing this beautiful celebration in peace and thanksgiving.
Indeed, “the joy of God is our stronghold”: it sings in our hearts, lights our path, and we are happy to share it with you.
The novices of the Rwanda-Chad Province