Confirmations.2
May 11, 2026
I just returned to Bangassou, after almost two weeks in Rafai and Zemio.
On Monday, May 4th, I left for Zemio. In the month since my last trip, there hasn't been much rain, and the road was passable: we left at 7:00 a.m. and arrived in Zemio (150 km away) around 2:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, the confirmands, who live as refugees in neighboring Congo, arrived. It took the whole morning of discussions, letters, and so on before they could cross the river and reach Central Africa.
On Thursday, we celebrated Confirmations. The city was a little calmer, but tensions still remained high: I came across a small group of armed rebels along the road, and I stopped to talk to them, and listened, and invited them to peace!
On Friday morning, I left for Rafai. It rained heavily, and the road had worsened. On the other hand, we had the joy of seeing many animals, especially several groups of monkeys.
Saturday morning, we crossed the Rafai River to celebrate Confirmations in the village of Agoumar, and in the afternoon we prepared for Sunday's celebration: the diaconate of a young Franciscan from this community.
Other priests from Bangassou also came for the occasion, and we shared this moment of grace.
Monday morning, in the rain, we departed Rafai for Selim, about thirty kilometers away. Here too, we celebrated Confirmations for about fifty young men and women: the gift of the Holy Spirit is a joy, and the hope that it will bear much fruit.
I left Selim at 1:00 PM, and in the evening I arrived in Bangassou. Finally!
May 11, 2026
I just returned to Bangassou, after almost two weeks in Rafai and Zemio.
On Monday, May 4th, I left for Zemio. In the month since my last trip, there hasn't been much rain, and the road was passable: we left at 7:00 a.m. and arrived in Zemio (150 km away) around 2:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, the confirmands, who live as refugees in neighboring Congo, arrived. It took the whole morning of discussions, letters, and so on before they could cross the river and reach Central Africa.
On Thursday, we celebrated Confirmations. The city was a little calmer, but tensions still remained high: I came across a small group of armed rebels along the road, and I stopped to talk to them, and listened, and invited them to peace!
On Friday morning, I left for Rafai. It rained heavily, and the road had worsened. On the other hand, we had the joy of seeing many animals, especially several groups of monkeys.
Saturday morning, we crossed the Rafai River to celebrate Confirmations in the village of Agoumar, and in the afternoon we prepared for Sunday's celebration: the diaconate of a young Franciscan from this community.
Other priests from Bangassou also came for the occasion, and we shared this moment of grace.
Monday morning, in the rain, we departed Rafai for Selim, about thirty kilometers away. Here too, we celebrated Confirmations for about fifty young men and women: the gift of the Holy Spirit is a joy, and the hope that it will bear much fruit.
I left Selim at 1:00 PM, and in the evening I arrived in Bangassou. Finally!
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| Zemio |
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| Agoumar |
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| Selim |
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