The garden of Eden and some vegetable gardens

 

 

 

The Immaculate and some vegetable gardens

Having returned from Bangui on Thursday, I arrived in time for the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

The parish of Baoro organized a small pilgrimage to Kouisso Baguera, a village 7 km from the city.

Last year the Bishop inaugurated the renovated church, and this year, in the afternoon, the pilgrims left from Baoro.

The path was lit by prayer, and the evening opened with a moment of adoration.

On Friday, December 8th, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, there was a beautiful celebration, enriched by the baptism of a child.

On Sunday I was in Samba Bougoulou: a 34 km or an hour's drive. We are in the last rains of the season, and the road is indicating as such.

During the week I visited most of our schools, and brout the first tools for the vegetable gardens: watering cans, shovels and rakes. All the schools have prepared and fenced a piece of land, which will become the "school garden". After Christmas we will start with the sowing of tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers... And then we'll see!

From the Garden of Eden, through to Mary's yes, and up to the present day, here in Central Africa...

 

Mbormo

Kouisso Baguera

Dobere

 

 

The celebration of December 1st

 

i bambini della scuola materna "Il Germoglio"
les enfants de l'école maternelle "Il Germoglio"

 
 

 

 

 

The celebration of December 1st

The Central African Republic was made official on December 1st, 1958. It was the first step towards independence, which came two years later, on August 13th, 1960.

For Central Africa, December 1st is "the" holiday: celebrated with parades in all the cities and other events.

Various schools, some religious organizations, the military and law enforcement agencies, associations and small businesses participate in the parade.

Prepared and rehearsed numerous times, the parade takes place on the main street, in front of the local authorities and dignitaries.

The children of our nursery school, the mechanical school and some schools from the nearest villages also marched.

On Saturday December  2nd I left for the more distant villages, where I spent the night. I left at 5, and while on the road I had a couple of nice surprises: a hippo and a stork fluttered in front of the car!

I arrived in Yoro around 7:30am, 75 km from Baoro, and set off on foot for Sinaforo, 7 km away, where I arrived after an hour.

Here the children welcomed me, shouting and jumping, and the catechist with the rest of the village.  We celebrated a beautiful Mass, in the hut that acts as a little church.

After Mass, we had a bite to eat together. A nephew of the catechist also arrived and started eating quickly, without wasting time. I believe that the meal, with so many of our brothers and sisters, was a bit of a struggle to ensure one had enough to eat and to not miss out on any of the food!

Around 12 I left for Yoro, and continued to Bayanga Didi, where the next day, Sunday, I celebrated Mass.

On the way back I was surprised by a nice storm, where the road turned into a river...

Tuesday morning, at 4, I left for Bangui, to follow and work on the construction site of the new convent.

 

lakòdkasò

Gli alunni della Scuola Meccanica di Baoro
Les élèves de l'Ecole Mecanique de Baoro

 

Upupa epops

Una cicogna
une cigogne

Sinaforo

Bon appetit!

Bayanga Didi

L'entrata del nuovo convento in costruzione
L'entrée du nouveau couvent en construction

 

 

Promises, commitments and work

 

 

 

Promises, commitments and work

Friday, November 24th, after a morning of work on the Bangui construction site, I left with Alessio Vada, the bricklayer, and returned to Baoro.

On Sunday I was in Dobere to celebrate Mass. Today was a celebration for the community, because 29 people made their official promises in the Legion of Mary movement. They are women, the majority, and come from Dobere and nearby villages.

On Monday morning we left at 4 for Bangui, in order to avoid any rehearsals for the parades of the 1st of December, "the" national holiday. We arrived in Bangui shortly after 9, and with Alessio, after a good coffee, we immediately went up to the construction site to continue the work.

In recent days Alessio finished all 44 arches of the cloister, and is currently finishing the last 4 on the entrance.

I'm staying in Bangui for a few days, and I returned yesterday, November 30, here in Baoro. In time for the party and, above all, to leave for the most distant villages on Saturday and Sunday.