On 5th June 2010 Anna Szulc from Poland
pronounced her first vows
in Arusha Novitiate community, Tanzania.

Anna Szulc (Anka) is appointed to
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

The celebration took place at
Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso,
on 13th February 2010.
The following sisters pronounced their vows:

Georgette Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso,
appointed to Gumo, Ghana

Elodie Ouedraogo Somwaya from Burkina Faso,
appointed to Kadutu, Bukavu, DR Congo

Bernadette Djekoye Kemleldel from Chad,
appointed to Ghardaia in Algeria

On the picture with Marga Rodriguez (right) and Prosperine Samba (left), their formators.

"Full of joy, they are bringing the Good News"

This is the text, the theme that our three sisters Bernadette, Elodie and Georgette selected for their first commitment in the congregation. We let ourselves be carried away with this joyful enthusiasm. Leaving from Gumo / Ghana, Bamako / Mali and Ouagadougou we all arrived in Bobo on the afternoon of February 12. Shouts of joy rang out from all sides. The families of our sisters Elodie and Georgette were also happy to be with us. Bravo to our novitiate sisters who welcomed us with good food and nice rooms.

In the courtyard of the community, the festive atmosphere was also visible with the tents set up, a lovely panel with the logo of our sisters (beautifully arranged by artists from the Aferdita home and Sr. Nicole Hebert).  A little later in the evening we were all very busy here and there to lend a hand to the final arrangements.
At 6.30 pm, we gathered in the large community room for a prayer of thanksgiving for our three future young professed sisters and our jubilarian Sr. Nicole. Then we gathered together once again for another good meal in the dining room.

After the invited guests went off to bed, some of us continued working into the night to polish the final arrangements. Against all odds, the rain also added to the joy of our celebration. Indeed in the early morning of February 13, a blessing poured down from heaven, just enough not to wet the decorations but very refreshing in this early hot season. At 8 am, the guests began to arrive. The members of the international novitiate who had spent many hours preparing the hymns started off to meet our two novices, Germaine and Therese.

Finally, at 9 o'clock, twelve priests, all the MSOLA, the novices, postulants and parents of our sisters began a beautiful procession toward the altar. There could not have been a better hymn to accompany us than this:  "Rejoice for your king; ... God's people dance for joy ..."

Our sister Nicole gave the introduction to the celebration but out of modesty she failed to emphasize her own jubilee celebration. Fortunately, the main celebrant, Father Jacques Charon, took the time to link Nicole's 50-year jubilee of religious life and missionary journey to the first commitment of our young sisters. He pointed out what a blessing this was for Nicole who had worked in both countries of origin of our sisters from Burkina Faso and Chad. The look of happiness was so great on the face of our sister Nicole.

The celebration then followed its normal course with Father Jacques' beautiful and challenging homily. During the actual ceremony of vows, each in turn had a dialogue with Sr. Gisela Harth (delegated by the Superior General for the occasion) and recited her vow-formula.  It was a very solemn moment.

Then they received the cross "a sign of their belonging to the congregation and their desire to follow Christ obedient."  Some people were very excited, anticipating the joy of embracing the young sisters and were already beginning to wiggle in their places. After the last of the three had received the cross, we all danced up in single file to congratulate the newly professed sisters.
After communion, we could read on many faces their impatience to know the new mission assignment of the sisters. Sr. Gisela satisfied our curiosity by rising with three small flags in her hands. She gave Georgette the flag of Ghana where she is appointed to Gumo community. The sisters of this community welcomed her with shouts of joy and dancing. Bernadette was appointed to the community of Ghardaia.  She received the Algerian flag and was joyfully greeted by a sister who had been on mission in Algeria. Finally our sister Elodie was thrown into the air by the large group of Congolese sisters and novices who were present. She was appointed to Bukavu and received the flag of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nothing could restrain the expression of our joy, to the rhythm of the songs sung by the choir.  Those who wished could dance. Many people did.

The young professed sisters expressed their gratitude to the entire congregation, their joy at now being a member of the MSOLA family and their need of our support and prayers.
Then it was Nicole's turn.  She gave us a glowing account of her missionary experience. She told us how a crystal vase received from her father, had inspired her prayer and the desire of her whole life: to become a crystal that reflects Christ for others. This is what she tried to be in Algeria, in Deli Chad, in Bobo, in Nouna, Burkina Faso.  Bobo received the prize because this is where she lived and worked for 24 years.  It is therefore not surprising that our sister ended her talk by calling on young women from Bobo to one day join the congregation. Hopefully the call did not fall on deaf ears.

At the end of the celebration, everyone was invited to share the meal prepared for the occasion. Seats previously arranged for the mass were re-distributed for the feast.
The party continued late into the afternoon with the animation of the master of ceremonies and various dances.
In the evening there was a prayer of thanksgiving in the chapel and supper in the courtyard.  This was followed by a ceremony of gift-giving among the family. There again, despite the fatigue, the joy was still tangible.

Unfortunately, in our lives happy and sorrowful events often coincide. The Lord had chosen that morning to take to himself the mother of our sister Jeanne d'Arc Ouattara.  We finished the evening in a prayer for the repose of her soul. In a certain way she too shared our same mission at the service of Africa and now she intercedes for us. May she rest in peace.
 
Many good wishes to our jubilarian and our three newly professed sisters!

Sr. Valerie Kabore Sibdou, Ouagadougou