VISIT OF THE INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT OF VMY TO CONGO (DR & BRAZZAVILLE)

Chronicle|| Photos

From October 16 to November 6, Yasmine Cajuste (VMY International President) and Fr. Gregory Gay (Superior General) visited the Association and the Vincentian family in the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as in the Congo Brazaville.

 

The warm welcome in Kinshasa was marked by the “Marian Game” performed by VMY. It was a show about the Story of St. Catherine Laboure and the Miraculous Medal. After a brief greeting to the DC Provincial House in Mbandaka (October 17) and to Sr. Wivine Kisu (General Councillor of the DC), Yasmine, Fr. Gregory, Fr. Dominique Iyolo (Visitor) and Fr. León Moningo (VMY and VF National Advisor) visited some regions of the country. They went to Bikoro (first Vincentian mission in the country), Itipo andIboko (Lazarist mission in the Heart of the equatorial rainforest). In these places they met different branches of the Vincentian Family. Yasmine took advantage of those days to meet monitors, advisors and members of VMY. They talked about the reality and formation of the group.

On October 22, they returned to Mbandaka. Fr. Gregory visited the different works of the Daughters of Charity, by the time Yasmine met monitors and advisors of the VMY group of this city. The Eucharist took place, as well as a Gathering of the VF in Mbandaka. Finally, they visited some projects of the AIC (a kindergarten, a cassava plantation and a beehive to improve the life quality of the pigmy).

On October 24, all the delegations came back to Kinshasa. On the following days they visited the communities of Lemba (DC Community), Kintambo (DC Seminary) and Kimwenza (CM Formation House). On October 26 the members of the VF of Kinshasa were together again to participate in the Eucharistic celebration and to meet the Superior General and the VMY International President. The SSVP presented a play about the reality of the orphans that is a very eye-catching problem in this country, apart from the great poverty and the consequences of a never-ending war.

On October 27-28 Fr. Gregory, Yasmine and others went to Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) by motorboat. Some administrative difficulties reduced meaningfully the time of encounter with the VF; however, it was not an obstacle to celebrate the Eucharist all together, to share a fraternal refreshment with the people-in-charge of The Risen Lord and Divine Mercy Parish and to visit the “SpecialSchool” managed by the Daughters of Charity. Yasmine also met the VMY group in Brazzaville that halts its activities from this pastoral course.

On October 29, the VF of RDC said goodbye to the Superior General. From October 30 to November 2, together with the Visitor and the VMY National Advisor, Yasmine continued visiting two other VMY groups and several DC and CM Communities, making an eight-hour trip by motorboat over the “Fleuve” (Congo River). In Bolobo and Yumbi, they got a very warm welcome; Yasmine met leaders and members of the Association. She also visited the works of the Daughters of Charity and the Lazarists, sharing fraternity and celebration moments with them and with the VF.

 

From November 2 to 5, again in Kinshasa, Yasmine gave formation sessions to members, monitors and people who will carry out their Consecration very soon. She made the most of the visit to rediscover her birthplace.

On November 6, after a very beautiful Eucharistic Celebration, with the DC of Lemba and a fraternal lunch with the Lazarist, Yasmine returned to Madrid where she continues encouraging the Association progress, with the help of all the international team.

his visit of formation and motivation has been a very enriching experience. The presence of both international leaders of the VF: The Superior General and the VMY International president enabled all the Vincentians to appreciate the beauty of the charisma and to dream with projects that change the reality of the less privileged. We hope this visit to give fruits of growth, fidelity and a bigger commitment in both dioceses.