A sister was born; a missionary sister was given to us.
We arrived in Bolga on Friday night after a working day and a few hours journey from Tamale. Prospérine and Victoria were already there to help Susana in the last hours before her profession, as well as the sisters from Burkina Faso who had come for the occasion.
We were greeted very warmly with a good dinner by Susana’s mother Georgina and her cousin Felicia. A good time to relax and meet one another-families, friends, Missionaries of Africa and Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa. The welcome full of friendly simplicity was very touching.
On Saturday cars-were organized to take us to the place of celebration, a 20-minute drive from Bolga-Tongo. There we found everything ready–a place of joy and peace, curiosity and solemnity. The celebration took place at the very heart of the parish. Many parishioners came to pray, sing and celebrate Susana’s final commitment. They were prayerful, recollected and happy as they accompanied our Sister in this solemn moment with songs and dances, silence and prayer. Together we felt how those few hours spent together were full of meaning and emotions for Susana, for Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa but also for the whole Church. A sister was born; a missionary sister was given to us.
Susana entered the Church with her father and mother accompanied by a hymn in the local language composed by a parishioner for the occasion–so impressive! She responded to the soloist who lent his voice to Christ, who was calling her. With a clear voice, she moved slowly to the rhythm of the hymn down the central aisle. Before the altar, her parents blessed her in this path she resolutely decided to follow. Then came the liturgy of the Word and a homily by Bishop Alfred Agyenta on the importance and beauty of religious life. The profession ritual in the presence of Sister Prospérine, representing the Superior General: Susana committed herself before God and the church congregation to live poor, chaste, obedient according to the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa constitutions.
Dances and songs of joy concluded this solemn moment. After the Consecration and Communion there was the Sending and a word of thanks from her parents. Susana took time to present all her Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa sisters by nationality to show the diversity of the call and the missionary commitment. Many of the Missionaries of Africa had answered the invitation and were also presented to the parish by nationality. Some photos and a meal on the parish grounds then back to Bolga for some rest before the evening feast.
On Sunday there was a thanksgiving Mass at the Church in Bolga with many parishioners, bringing us together once again before everyone went home.
What a great and beautiful time shared together!
Claire
