‘Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain’, Psalm 127:1.
On Thursday 19 June 2025, at the Vice-Provincial House in the town of Maroua, CAMEROON, in a joyful atmosphere of thanksgiving to the Lord, we officially inaugurated and opened our ‘RENEE BUREL’
Guest House. Many people: Daughters of the Holy Spirit, other religious, priests, friends and acquaintances honoured this memorial day in the Vice-Province of the DHS with their presence.
The ceremony began with a pontifical mass presided over by Bishop Bruno Ateba Edo of the diocese of Maroua-Mokolo. In his homily, the prelate expressed his gratitude to the entire Congregation for its work and missionary dedication in this diocese.
In her words of welcome and thanks, the Vice-Provincial, Sister Angèle SILIKAM HARANGA, began by praising the Lord for the realization of this project. She then expressed her gratitude to the Superior General, Sister Ann ALMODOVAR, and her 4 councilors – Sisters Judith, Olga, Jeannine and Abiola – for their renewed confidence in us, the sisters of the Vice-Province of Cameroon, through the various aids, support, and advice they have given us to build this house of welcome. Sister Angèle reminded us of the main objective of our guest house: as well as allowing the DHS to stay on site during the various vice-provincial meetings and celebrations, the RENEE BUREL DHS guest house has a double mission: to welcome people for rest or different ecclesial activities and to contribute to the financial autonomy of the sisters of the Vice-Province. She also thanked all the other people who, in one way or another, continue to accompany the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in their mission.
After the mass, the bishop blessed the guest house; the DHS present, the choir and all the guests accompanied him with songs of thanksgiving. Then, over a fraternal glass of water, we continued our discussion of this memorable day. With technology, the echo of the opening of this beautiful house of welcome has crossed the diocesan borders…
70 years after the arrival of the DHS in Cameroon, history continues to be made! On 19 June 2025, we witnessed the blessing and solemn inauguration of our first house of welcome on Cameroonian soil. May the Spirit of the Lord of the harvest always go before us in this service of welcome, where each person will find peace, love and tranquillity and will feel at home. ‘Spirit of God, make us live in trust with you and with everyone’.
Sisters SOMDA Pascaline and MAIDOKLE Christine. Published on 27 June 2025
Photos
1. During the Eucharist
2. During the Mass
3. Ribbon-cutting by Mgr Bruno and Sr Angèle
4. Prayer before the blessing
5. Blessing of the new building
6. RENEE BUREL Guest House, front view
