Sr. Delphine with two postulants of the SICO
Excerpts from the diaries from 1924 to 1934
The opening of the postulate
February 11, 1924, Our Lady of Lourdes. The Novitiate of the indigenous Sisters having been completed, Monsignor chose this feast of the
Blessed Virgin to install there our six postulants. He blessed the robes in our little oratory, then celebrated holy mass, after which our happy
girls were taken to their new home. (Diary 1924, p.51).
The first vows
On December 8, 1930, they told us about the joy in Ouagadougou: Big day of celebration for Ouagadougou. The 5:30 a.m. Mass, Monsignor received the wishes of the first Black Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. The lucky ones were seven in number. The Church was full, and everyone listened attentively to the monition that Monsignor addressed to the future professed women.
At the end of the mass, each one presented herself before his Lordship and pronounced her religious vows.
Then, all prostrated themselves to the hymn of Veni Creator. Not a movement in the audience; everyone seemed very impressed with this ceremony. The singing of the Te Deum translated to the good Lord the gratitude that lay deep in all hearts. During the day, the visits followed one another without interruption, everyone wanted to greet the new Sisters and offer them a small gift. (Diary 1930, p.824).
The first SICO mission departure
On April 1, 1933, this morning, at 5 o’clock, Monsignor came to celebrate, in our chapel, the mass at which all the White and Black Sisters
attended. Because it was a great day for our Black sisters and for the future of their Congregation: three of them were heading today to Bam,
their first mission post: this was the first foundation of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. The lucky ones were: Sr. Marie-Jeanne,
Sr. Josephine and Sr. Maria. The hearts were at the same time and testified through the hymn of Magnificat their gratitude to Mary; but
they were also very moved; the sisters realized that they were the first workers of a great task: then we have to leave the companions of the
first hour, the sweet neighborhood of the novitiate, and there were a few tears in our eyes as we climbed into the car. But confidence nevertheless dominated, because it was finally the great realization of their hopes.
They have walked until this hour, confident in the future, despite all the difficulties, and they see now: “He who follows me does not walk in darkness.” Monsignor told them, commenting on the Gospel.
And they left in this light, trusting in Jesus and Mary. (Diary 1933, p.268-269)
On December 8, 1934, on this day of the Immaculate Conception, a touching ceremony took place which reminded Christians of the
profession of the first Black Sisters, in 1930. Sr. Eulalie and Sr. Angèle, having completed their novitiate, made their first vows this morning,
at the end of mass. For the first time, the Black Sisters alone were responsible for the singing. (Diairy 1934, p.744).
