From December 28, 2024 to January 3, 2025, the seventh Regional Assembly of Africa took place at the regional headquarters, Yaoundé-Cameroon, with the theme: 'Disciples and Missionaries on the Synodal Path'. The first day, December 28, 2024, was the feast of the Holy Innocents, we began the seventh Regional Assembly with a day of retreat animated by Father Benabo Sindang, of the Congregation of the Fathers of the Heart of Jesus and Mary. We end the day with the Eucharist.
Our theme of the retreat was 'the challenges of consecrated life in Africa, on a synodal path as disciples and missionaries.'
We are invited
- To live coherence following Christ.
- Living united with sisters,
- Rediscover the foundation of one's own calling
- Be Witnesses of Christ,
In the afternoon, the opening of the Seventh Assembly was presided over by M. Nieves Rosado, General Councilor, and he reminded us of the four key lines along which the XVII General Chapter directs us. The speech by M. Félicité Mbwata, regional delegate for Africa, followed with these words: 'we are called to live unity in diversity, it should not be a reason for division, but rather an opportunity to learn from each other and grow together in a common project.
The participants were 16 from Spain, DRC, Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea and Yaoundé.
M.M Nieves Rosado, Félicité, Maria Jésus, Caroline, Emilie, Florence, Alexandrine, Lidye, Doris, Madeleine, Roluche, Gertrude, Germaine, Wivine, Francoise, Nsimba.
On the 29th, M. Nieves Rosado presented to us how to work on this document with the laity. The priorities in the synodal key in the Conceptionist mission will enlighten us a lot. Paying attention to the culture of encounter, training, conceptionist pedagogy, the option for the poor, signs of the times and interculturality.
The work of the groups was very rich, making the conversation in the spirit, the methodology that helps us listen to what the spirit tells us through the ideas of others. The presentation of the financial and personnel report were clear, they invite us to see our reality and search for solutions. We talked about the vision of the delegation with its lights, fears and visions of the future, it was a time of grace, also a time to put everything in the hands of the Lord so that his graces may pour out on us.
On the 31st, we had a retreat day. Thank you day. In the afternoon we had vigil. We welcome the year 2025 with joy, eating peanuts, with a little wine. Moment of Emotion and Hope. Seeing where the Spirit will take us, accepting our weaknesses and walking together.
On the afternoon of January 3, we finished the work with a few words from M. M Nieves Rosado and Felicite Mbwata.
- Keep the charisma alive in Africa, do not lose hope.
- This Assembly has shown that when we work together, we can find paths to unity and progress.
