From 10 July to 10 August 2016, 10 young Oblates who have been admitted for final vows in the francophone sub-Region of the Africa-Madagascar Region gathered in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo for a preparatory retreat for perpetual vows. Fr. Gabriel KINZE from the Province of Congo was the coordinator and guide for the program. It was a privileged moment not meant to substitute the formation they had already received, but to help the candidates to make an informed choice once again and to deeply nurture to maturity their decisions by looking closely at the themes that are particularly important to religious life and the Congregation.
The themes that were developed during these four weeks of preparation are as follow:
1: Consecrated Life: concrete problems and present challenges (Fr. Gabriel KINZE)
2: Spirituality and sense of belonging (Fr. Beaudouin MUBESALA)
3: Formation on group dynamic (Fr. Cyril MPUKI)
4: Mary Immaculate: concrete model of the Oblate Charism (Fr. Abel NSOLO)
5: Vows: Foundation of our religious consecration (Fr. Clement MAYULI)
The young Oblates came from different Units of Africa. From the Province of Cameroon: Dieudonne TIZI, Gerard VONDOU and Gerald DJABARDE; from the Delegation of Senegal: Joseph SADIO and Joseph NDIAYE; from Congo: Dider INDIBI, Jérry KAMBINYAM, Bénjamin KIKWETE, Serge MPIANA; and from the Province of Natal studying in Cameroon, Andile DLADLA.
(Emmanuel YOUNGTEN TEMSWANG)
