On March 3, we celebrated the 175th birthday of our Venerable Mother Marie Salomé. I felt an inner call to share with others the example of the life of holiness of our Mother Salomé.
With our newest community in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, the St Julien community, we have decided to invite our neighbours from the basic Christian community, St Julien CCB, and the nearest community of the Missionaries of Africa of the parish of Saint John XXIII. Being new to the neighbourhood, we couldn’t imagine what it would be like. We shared the tasks: invitations, liturgy, and reception. Already in the preparations, we were unanimous.
The day far exceeded our expectations. The community of our brothers, the White Fathers was complete. Around 60 of our neighbours came. Our joy was immense. Mother Marie Salomé gave us two unexpected gifts. After the rosary with her thoughts, we had on the program a film on her life but the projector refused to connect to the computer. The celebrants of the mass therefore invited the sisters to share on the life of Mother Marie Salomé, what makes us live, what nourishes us with her life. How wonderful! Hearts were burning! The neighbours greatly appreciated the testimonies. And after the mass during a drink, the projector started up and we were able to watch the film.
About ten young people who came for this prayer stayed for a sharing. The girls asked to meet from time to time to talk about their life as young people. I told them to think about it.
A second miracle or an invitation. The girls kept inquiring about the meeting date. As the community is very new and the sisters work far away, it took time to see how to respond to this request. Finally, on May 8, we had the first meeting. Ten girls came. They shared the challenges of going through puberty, but also their faith in God who can do anything. Their desire is to live in freedom and peace. Two of them are Muslims but from families of two religions. One has already been working for a year even though she is only 17 years old. We listened to their desires, their aspirations and their needs. The next meeting is scheduled in two weeks. May Mother Marie Salomé intercede for us in order to do the will of God. We also ask you to pray for these young people and for us to know how to be creative and available.
Celina Natanek
