Carmel

Pedaggio per la manutenzione delle strade
Péage pour l'entretien routier

Carmel

In the Carmel, Mary’s figure is a great important presence. When, around 1200, some crusaders retreated to Palestine on Mount Carmel to devote themselves to prayer and listening to the Word of God, it was natural for them to choose Mary as a model, mother and sister.

On Sunday we celebrated the festivity honoring Her in Bozoum. Twenty-nine people received the Scapular, which is a piece of brown cloth reminiscent of the Carmelite’s dress, a sign of consecration to Mary and of her protection.

Around noon I take the car to go to Bangui. The 400 km of road is continuously worsening. There "would be" 300 km of paved road, but they are more and more dangerous because of the many holes. But ... but every 50 km you have to pay the toll for "l'entretien routier" (road maintenance)!

On Monday, in Bangui, we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Carmel, which is the proper day. For our convent it is a great event. In the morning takes place a long procession between the palm trees and other trees belonging to the township. In the afternoon we have the solemn Mass, presided over by Don David Charters, secretary of the Nunciature. Monday and Tuesday I am involved with Caritas for a training and sharing of experiences session, attended by diocesan directors.

Unfortunately, one of us, the Abbé Firmin, of Bambari, is no longer present: he was killed by armed bands a couple of weeks ago.

Wednesday morning I leave Bangui, and by plane I’m in Cameroon. I arrive around noon in Douala, and here I can buy books for our St. Augustine’s middle school and high school. They are very expensive, but it's more important that the students can read and study seriously.

At 3.00 pm I leave with a bus towards Yaounde. I have to afford 270 km only, but it takes more than 5 and a half hours to arrive. Traffic in the city is chaotic, and the road is narrow, with detours and car accidents.

In Yaounde I meet the Carmelite confreres and Suzanne, Hyppolite's mother. Thursday morning I go with her to complete the dossier to make the Visa that will allow her to go to Italy to stay a while with her son. But the process isn’t easy! After completing the documents with those still not ready, we go to the Visa Office, but at 11.30 am is already closed, and no telephone answers to our call. We just have to fix another appointment, but it will only be next Wednesday. Let's hope!

le strade...
les routes "entretenues"...

Festa al Carmelo

Riunione Caritas

Yaounde