On 24 October 2021 we went to Diébougou, Burkina Faso, to be postulants of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, Edith and Nina from Burkina Faso, Marie from Cameroon and our “big sisters” from Nigeria, the second year postulants: Callista, Esther, Florence, Florentina, Jacinta and Loretta.
On our arrival, the community gave us a very warm welcome. With the fatigue of travelling, our ‘mistress’, Sister Pauline MAÏSSENSO, gave us time to settle in and rest. It was also a time to familiarise ourselves with the house and the neighbourhood and we took advantage of it to learn how to ride a motorbike and a bicycle… Then we retired to Bafor (an abbey of Cistercian nuns) for a retreat led by Sister Sylvie ROAMBA, vice-provincial. On the way back, the three first year postulants made their official entrance surrounded by many sisters from the different communities of the Vice-Province: it was marvellous… After the prayer, the celebration continued with a fraternal meal.
November. All of us postulants were very eager to start the different courses: French and English, initiation to prayer, Old Testament, Christology, morals, history of the congregation, computers, music, singing, art of living together, rereading of weeks. Most of the courses were for the first year and some for both years together, but French is the subject most taught to the second year postulants. Sessions, retreats, recollections and some films helped us to get closer to God and to know each other better in view of living as a group. We discovered the town of Diébougou and some parishes of the diocese through outings and visits. All in all, we lived a beautiful and rich experience, knowing how to reconcile certain misunderstandings through our differences.
We want to express our gratitude to those who have accompanied us up to now, humanly, intellectually and spiritually: sisters, priests and laity. We give thanks to God for all that he does for our lives. Blessed be his name.
We are also very marked by the national wealth of Burkina Faso, the simplicity of its people and especially the parishioners of the diocese who welcomed us as soon as we arrived. In the same sense, the welcome and simplicity of the bishop towards us, on 8 November 2021 when we visited him, touched our hearts.
Finally, our gratitude goes to the Vice-Province of Burkina Faso who welcomed us and formed us to come closer to Christ. Thank you to all the sisters who contributed, in one way or another, to our formation and particularly to Sister Pauline MAÏSENSO who, concerned about our future, did so much for us, instilling in us a sense of truth and responsibility, putting up with and managing all our whims… May the Lord obtain for her the grace for the humble servant that she is. To the “Bagane” community of Diébougou, an infinite thank you for everything!
The postulants Daughters of the Holy Spirit. Published on 14 June 2022
