Following the celebration in 2024 of 70 years of the presence of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in Cameroon, Sister Monique GABANA agreed to share with us the story of her vocation in this year in which she is also celebrating 35 years of religious life.
‘How can we fail to give you thanks, Lord, after all these years at your service? These were the words of Sister Monique when she was given the floor at the closing Mass of the 70th anniversary of the presence of the Daughters of Saint Espri, on Saturday 21 December 2024, in Maroua, in the parish of
Mother Monique – as we affectionately call her – had this to say: ‘Several things always intrigued and attracted me when I saw the Daughters of the Holy Spirit whom I met 35 years ago. They were simple women, close to people and filled with the boldness of the Spirit.Two things motivated me to be and do as they did: firstly, their simplicity of life, their closeness to the people and secondly, the popular belief at the time that the consecrated life was not for the young people of the country… But the desire to belong to the group of sisters grew every time I met one of them. So it was that several of us young Cameroonian girls expressed to the sisters our desire to share their charism and spirituality. After a period of discernment and formation, I was the only one admitted to take my first vows in the congregation, on 29 March 1989, in the parish of Saint Jean de Djarengol, in Maroua. Not wanting to remain the only Cameroonian in the congregation, working for more vocations was my pastoral ministry every time I met with groups of young people’.
On Saturday 25 May 2024, in the parish of Notre Dame de l’Immaculée in Lara, Sister Monique’s home parish, a number of people joined her in giving thanks to God for her 35 years of religious life.
‘Thank you to all those who have helped and supported me in responding to Christ’s call. I firmly believe that they are with God and that they continue to intercede for us’.
Sister Vedette NDAOKAÏ, Marza-Ngaoundéré novitiate community. Published on 9 January 2025
Photos.
1. Sister Monique with some of the nuns at the thanksgiving mass in Lara.
2. Sister Monique with priests, consecrated persons, friends and acquaintances at the end of Mass in Lara.
3. Sister Anne-Marie Couloigner, Superior General, presents the dove to Sister Monique at her first appointment on 29 March 1989, in the presence of Sister Anne-Marie Renault, Vice-Provincial.
4. Sister Monique and her father at the end of Mass, 29 March 1989.
5. Sister Monique with her mother at the end of Mass on the same day.
6. Sister Monique in her first community of Doukoula.
