School and
schools
The end of last week, September 14th
and 15th, was a very significant moment for the Carmelite family in
Central Africa. On Friday evening, I
presided over the renewal of the Vows of nine young Central African Carmelite
friars. Saturday morning, at 6.30, I
welcomed five more young Central Africans who received the Carmelite habit, which
marks their entry into the Novitiate. At 9.30 am another five young people (two
Central Africans and three Cameroonians) concluded the year of Novitiate and
made their vows to God to live in chastity, poverty and obedience.
Sunday morning, in Bozoum, we had
another important event take place: we placed the statue of the Child Jesus of
Prague in our church. The statue represents Jesus dressed as an Emperor. This
reminds us of the importance and strength of God, who became man to save us.
The Incarnation of Jesus (and also the clothes with which he is represented)
reminds us of the great dignity of every man, and in particular of every child.
So I chose this past Sunday, the evening before the opening of our schools, to
take the opportunity to invite all parishioners to grasp the importance of our
children and of their education.
The month of September, even in
Central Africa, is marked by the reopening of schools, but with very different
approaches and methods. Due to a heavy rainfall on Monday the school opening at
our Mission had to be put on hold until Tuesday. We have many schools to accommodate all our children
from when they are very little to until they are young adults. We have Kindergarten for the little ones,
elementary for our school aged children, intermediate for our pre-teens and
finally high school for our young adults.
In total we have approximately 1, 500 students that attend our schools, some
of whom travel by foot great distances to be able to learn, it is truly
remarkable how they throw themselves in their schooling.
Let’s hope they keep up the good
work!
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| Gesù Bambino di Praga |
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| I giovani studenti les jeunes étudiants |
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| la vestizione dei Novizi la prise d'habit des Novices |
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| le Professioni |
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| la scuola di Dayanga |
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