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(Gbodjomé-Togo) 11 novices from the two sister provinces of Afrique Occidentale Nord (AON) and Afrique Occidentale Sud (AOS) said yes to the Lord at their first profession at the Salesian novitiate in Gbodjomé. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Father Denis Soro (Provincial of AOS) and concelebrated by 26 Salesian priests, including Father Jesus Benoît Badji (Provincial of AON). The Provincial called on the novices to be «builders of authentic fraternal communities founded on Love», because the community is a «School of human and spiritual growth” where “each member brings his or her personal gifts and richness». A full life in community is the antidote to «individualism, says the provincial, which is the negation of dialogue and communication with others, but also with God».

The rite of profession included a dialogue with the superior, prayer over the novices, the profession of each novice, and the presentation of the Salesian Constitutions and medal. The newly professed, who have chosen Saint Artemide Zatti as their patron saint, come from 04 countries: 05 from Benin, 03 from Togo, 02 from Guinea Conakry and 01 from Burkina Faso. Our Province has 03 newly professed members and 08 from the AON Province.

This 16 August also marks Father Denis Soro’s 30th anniversary of profession. A wonderful coincidence on the anniversary of the birth of our founder, St John Bosco.

(Cinkassé-Togo) Le samedi 12 août 2023 est le jour qui a vu le diacre Paulin Sougleman KOLANI être consacré prêtre de Jésus Christ dans la grande salle du Collège Don Bosco à Cinkassé dans le Diocèse de Dapaong (Nord du Togo). La belle et priante célébration a été présidée par Mgr Dominique Banlen GUIGBILE, évêque de Dapaong et concélébrée par une trentaine de prêtres. Notons que cette ordination intervient 10 ans après celle du père Marc Lampouguini KOMBATE, premier salésien du diocèse de Dapaong.  En prélude à cette célébration, il y a eu un triduum de prière qui a servi de cadre pour faire une campagne vocationnelle. Nous souhaitons au père Paulin KOLANI un fructueux ministère sacerdotal.

(AOS – Lomé) «I vow forever to live obedient, poor and chaste according to the way of the Gospel set out in the Salesian Constitutions…». These were the words of Aristide Dossou, Blaise Segnan, Evrard Kpodar and Jules Gakenou on Sunday 23 July 2023 when they made their perpetual profession as Salesians of Don Bosco at the Maria Auxiliadora Parish in Gbényedzi (Lomé). A full parish church welcomed this event of great importance in the lives of the four Salesians from Togo. The perpetual profession took place during the celebration of the Eucharist presided over by the Superior of the Province of West Africa South (AOS), Father Denis Soro, who, during the homily, recalled the meaning and implications of perpetual profession for the consecrated person.

Starting with the scriptural texts chosen for the occasion, the celebrant dwelt on the story of the miraculous catch of fish and Christ’s call to the first four apostles. He emphasised the importance of the vocation that takes shape in the response to be given and the assignment of the mission. Father Denis invited the four confreres to give meaning to their vocation by devoting themselves entirely to the cause of young people: «Be attentive to [God’s Presence] in the lives of those you serve, especially young people: for every Salesian, they are the sacred place of the Mission where we encounter God on a daily basis», he said. So he did not hesitate to warn the future perpetually professed of the sometimes harsh difficulties they would encounter in their mission. This is a good opportunity to say to them: «When you have assessed the lack of enthusiasm, fatigue, discouragement and routine on the horizon, may you, like Peter and Andrew, discern God’s hour and make the gesture of obedience to his Word that provokes a new beginning, that sets you in motion, that leads you out into the open sea!» Finally, still basing himself on the story of the miraculous catch of fish, the Provincial stressed the need for future perpetually professed members to read the signs of everyday life, because it is in everyday life that God speaks to us: «Remember, he said, that the day Jesus chose to reveal himself to Peter and call him to follow him was the day the Lord had decided, at his daily workplace, to speak to the crowds but by entering Peter’s boat, and that day was the day when everything went wrong for Peter: he toiled all night without taking anything…. Throughout your Salesian religious witness, don’t wait for extraordinary signs to let Christ speak to you from your life. He will ask permission to come aboard your boat in the day-to-day of your life, often in sterile, sometimes complex situations».

The ceremony of perpetual profession began properly after the homily with a dialogue between the Superior and the candidates. This was followed by the litany of the saints (to implore the intercession of those who have preceded us into Heaven), the reading of the formula of perpetual profession by each of the professed, the solemn blessing of the newly perpetually professed and the presentation of the Salesian perpetual cross, the only external symbol of identification of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The newly perpetually professed were welcomed by the Superior «among the Salesians of Don Bosco as confrères committed by perpetual vows», to the thunderous applause of the faithful. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, those present renewed their consecration to the Virgin Help of Christians by placing a lighted candle at the foot of the statue, and expressed their sincere gratitude to all those who had worked so hard to ensure that the ceremony, which they will always remember, was a success. A fraternal meal was offered to the guests within the parish walls by the Salesian Community of Gbenyedzi, which hosted the ceremony. The perpetual profession of Aristide Dossou, Blaise Segna, Evrard Kpodar and Jules Gakenou is an opportunity for the AOS Province to give thanks to God for the gift of vocation granted to our four confreres, and for the growing number of perpetual confreres in the Province for the good of the mission.

Aristide Dossou, Blaise Segna, Evrard Kpodar and Jules Gakenou have just completed their second year of theology in Yaoundé (the first three) and Nairobi (Jules). They will continue their theological training over the next two years, culminating, God willing, in ordination to the priesthood.