A vocational camp was held from 20 to 25 July 2025 at the postulancy community in Diébougou, Burkina Faso. We, aspiring to religious life, came from different dioceses, including Manga, Koudougou, Diébougou, and the Archdiocese of Ouagadougou. On the afternoon of 20 July, there were fifteen of us; due to transport difficulties, five others joined us the next day, bringing the total number to 20. Four sisters, Jessica NAON, Eugénie FARGA, Edith YAMEOGO and Odette ZONGO, were also present to accompany us.
After dinner, Sister Eugénie FARGA, head of Aspirat, warmly expressed her joy at welcoming us and wished us an excellent camp.
During the week, several activities were carried out, rich in discoveries.
We benefited from a teaching by Sister Odette ZONGO on ‘Daily prayer in the life of an aspirant.’ She emphasised the importance of prayer for anyone on a spiritual path, and especially for us aspirants. She explained that prayer allows us to deepen our relationship with God and develop our inner life.
We learned to play traditional musical instruments, such as the Tam-Tam, under the guidance of Sister Edith YAMEOGO, and expressed our joy at learning new songs. We also decorated the chapel for moments of prayer.
A second lesson was given by Sister Jessica NAON on the history of the congregation. She introduced her lesson with the refrain, ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Discussing the origins and foundations of the congregation, she told us about Marie BALAVENNE, the founder, who ‘simply did what her heart told her to do.’ She emphasised that Renée BUREL and Marie BALAVENNE were guided by love for God and others. This is what each of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit tries to live out today.
In addition to the teachings we received, we cultivated our field. We also had the joy of watching a film entitled ‘The Law of Silence’ and we were visited by some sisters who came to encourage us.
Sister Eugénie spoke to us about the stages of formation, charism and spirituality.
On Thursday, 24 July, Sister Clementine gave us a retreat on the theme ‘Listen with the ear of your heart’. To better discern our vocation during this time of Aspirat, she encouraged us to seek guidance and also to turn to the sisters in each diocese. In the evening, we had the closing Mass and a recreational evening.
It was an evening of joy, discovering each other’s talents. On the morning of the 25th, each of us returned to our parishes, happy to have taken part in this annual camp. We agreed to meet again next year for another experience with Christ, following in the footsteps of Marie BALAVENNE and the first sisters.
By Sister Odette ZONGO, DHS. Published on 4 August 2025
