Sr. Alice Yirabo Koné, at the right, with other students of the Arabic language
From Sr Alice Yirabo Koné, Hydra, Algeria
“Through obedience, all work, all functions, all life are inserted into the field of the apostolate and, whatever one does and wherever one is, one is sent.”
I was enlightened by this assertion of Maurice Zundel throughout my first mission in Tunisia. Indeed, after my novitiate and
my first profession in Bobo-Dioulasso, I was sent to the community of La Marsa in Tunisia, to learn the Arabic language and culture.
As soon as I arrived, I was welcomed, initiated and integrated into the community by my sisters. Sisters Maria and Mélika in particular helped
me take my first steps in learning the language through the courses they gave me. It was after this experience that I joined the Bourguiba
School of Modern Languages to begin classes.
I let myself be convinced by Cardinal Lavigerie that “learning the language of a people is preparing to belong to them”.
In fact, learning the language and culture of a people means getting as close as possible to become a member of that people. This is what gave
me great motivation in learning Arabic as a language and culture. At Bourguiba School, I attended sessions with young people from different
backgrounds, different countries, different cultures who either had plans for study, work or simply for pleasure.
The question they almost always asked me was: “And you, why are you learning Arabic?”
Perhaps for them it was a trivial question, but this question made me ask deep questions about my presence in this institute as a MSOLA,
and also gave me an opportunity to share and bear witness to my missionary vocation with them. I often shared with them the meaning
of my missionary vocation, the need to learn the language and culture of the people to whom we are sent, and our daily life as a missionary
with the people.
My experience of learning Arabic was not easy at the beginning. Among other things, I faced difficulties in understanding. The teachers explained almost everything in Arabic, which made it difficult for me to follow. I sometimes felt like I didn’t understand anything, sometimes I was discouraged, but thanks to the encouragement, the support of my sisters and with a lot of effort, I began to understand; little by little to decipher the meaning of the words and to follow the course.
Also, I remembered Lavigerie’s advice: “to not shrink from any pain, not even from death [for my part the difficulty of Arabic] to announce the kingdom of God”.
During my time of learning, I realized that the adventure of learning is not an easy matter, but only patience, desire and the meaning that one
gives to what one does can give the strength and courage to learn a language. Also, after having acquired the basics, I realize that learning
a language is a school, a journey that lasts a lifetime, that is why I continue to improve myself, to perfect the basics that I acquired during
my experience.
During this time, beyond the difficulties encountered, I experienced the joy of meeting others. It is an experience that was a place of life, of
reciprocal exchange and of mutual cultural discovery. Other signs of joy were, for me, the encouragement and support of my community
and meeting other people. In view of what I have experienced, I can say with Pope Francis that “joy is missionary; joy is not only for oneself, it is to bring something”. (WYD Lisbon 2023).
I felt invited to “Be Mission” at the invitation of our last Circular Letter.
My mission as a student brought me into contact with other people of various beliefs and convictions. We have forged friendly relationships. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the institute, I was invited by one of our professors to dress in the traditional dress of my culture of origin. It was a day dedicated to the promotion of the different cultures within the institute.
I was able to participate in this celebration at the invitation of my professor by living the “All to all” according to our charism of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa.
