On 16 November 2023, three Cameroonian Daughters of the Holy Spirit took the flight from Yaoundé to France: Sr Judith MBOUNGOUL, for the mission to the General Council of the Congregation, Marcelline and myself, Monique, for health reasons.
As soon as we landed in Rennes, we were surprised by the welcome we received from so many people: the General Council -Sisters Anne Almodovar, Jeannine Légère, Olga Kiendrebeogo, and Abiola Adigboluja-, as well as Sister Anne Geneviève. GUERIN After collecting our luggage, we went our separate ways: Judith staying in Rennes where the General Council is, and Marceline and myself, Monique, with Sister Anne-Geneviève, heading for Saint-Brieuc where the Mother House is, our place of residence during our stay here in France.
A warm and fraternal atmosphere at the Mother House! Once again, we are confirming that as a Congregation, we are in solidarity with each other. It was in this spirit that our valiant sisters of the host community: Sisters Thérèse ANSAR, Marie Bernadette, Anna, Françoise Dupond (Mabane), Yvonne, Josiane and Elisabeth were on hand to welcome us.
During our stay in France, in spite of the weight of age and their many occupations, each of the sisters made herself available to help us: “They gave of themselves without counting the cost, ingenious in finding ways to serve” (Rule of Life, 1, 1), to please us by rendering one service or another. The time we spent at the Mother House was one of unforgettable joy and happiness. Through guided visits to the archives, to places of importance and significance for the Congregation, and trips to other departments, we joyfully relived a form of return to the sources of the Congregation: doesn’t our Rule of Life say that we are “In attitude of formation throughout life”? (RV 8)
Back in Cameroon, Marcelline and I acted as ambassadors, passing on greetings from everyone. Thank you to each and every one of you for your different contributions, which ensured that our stay was a real experience of fraternal life, built on the joys and sorrows of sharing the lives of those whom God has associated with us. May the Spirit of the Lord always go before us on this journey, following in his footsteps.
Sister Monique GABANA, Koza community. Published on 21 April 2024
Photo 1: Judith, Marcelline and Monique with Jeannine LEGERE
Photo 2 and 3: departure from the Mother House
