On the occasion of the jubilee of the inmates, this Sunday, November 16, 2025, what a joy to take part in the Eucharistic celebration at the central prison of Ngaoundéré -CAMEROON-!
This Sunday was not like any other for us, from the community of Marza: as one of its activities, the diocesan Caritas organized a mass for the inmates for this jubilee. A great opportunity presented itself to us…
At the entrance of the prison, our identification documents (passports, identity card) were checked by the prisoner guards who also seized our phones. Arrived inside, we were greeted warmly: each took the place that suited them and only a few minutes, the space was saturated with people! After the arrival of the bishop, priests and deacons as well as some religious, the prison staff took out the prisoners, cell by cell, age category and gender. At their sight, we were all seized with compassion and pity!
The Eucharistic celebration was presided by Bishop Emmanuel ABBO, of the diocese of N’Gaoundéré. In his homily, he invited the detainees to develop the meaning of ‘giving and receiving’ in order to obtain true inner freedom. He encouraged them to have an open heart so that God remains there, never to be discouraged and to always recognize his Presence in their daily life despite the silence and loneliness of their cell. They were encouraged to pray unceasingly and persevere in the faith. The bishop also invited them to accept their flaws and to rely more on Christ in order to live more fully and to succeed in entering into a path of conversion and liberation. He also invited the prison staff to treat the detainees with patience, compassion and to grant them respect and dignity. For us visitors, the bishop made us aware that we are prisoners in our own way. He invited us to persevere in prayer even when everything seems difficult and to have a merciful look on the detainees, on all those who suffer, to accept them as they are and to give them our support. Very touching homily!
The continuation of this celebration was composed of other moments, namely: – the phase of the liberation of some detainees, freed thanks to Bishop Emmanuel ABB –merciful work!… – and the phase of the distribution of certificates of recognition to the winning football team, by the diocesan chaplain of the detainees, Father ALOYS (OMI). Rosaries were distributed to the supervisors as well as to all the inmates so that they pray constantly and feel the presence of God in their lives. Then the detainees received other donations (food and clothing) from the Caritas group of the diocese. All, men and women, so many, were happy: one read the joy in them! We recognized them full of talents through the animation of the mass and through the finishes of their manufactured products.
Immediately after the mass, the visitors and the entire assembly were invited to wait so that the inmates could join their cells. What a sadness to see people who could not be imagined detained enter their cells: pregnant women, women with babies, children, young people, men… Other detainees, designated, stayed to sell their manufactured products: bags, paintings… After each inmate joined their cell, we were given permission to leave.
Thus ended the visit to the central prison of N’Gaoundéré, an opportunity that allowed us to taste this other side of life where we found ourselves…. We thank the community for the opportunity given to us to live a very first experience of visiting a prison!
The first-year novices: Alphonsine, Félicité, Myriam, Charlène, Emilienne and Irène
Noviciat FSE, Ngaoundéré-CAMEROON
Published on 28 November 2025
