On August 12, 2017, the Priests of the Sacred Heart in Cameroon welcomed new sons.
The celebration of the first religious profession started with a procession at 9:00 a.m. in the presence of 36 confreres, their family members, friends and well-wishers. Among the confreres were 18 priests, two perpetually professed, and 18 temporally professed brothers. The occasion was honoured by several special guests, including Fathers Léopold Mfouakouet (general councillor for Africa), David Tachago (a former novice master) and Albert Lingwengwe (former General councillor for Africa). Among the brothers were three who are studying in Germany. Father Jean Marie Signié, Provincial Superior, was the main celebrant; beside him were Fathers Léopold and David. The first reading, taken from the book of Jeremiah 1: 4-10, states that a vocation is a special gift from God. The gospel, taken from the book of Mathew 19:16-20, talks about the young rich man. In his homily, Father David Tachago insisted that we are here to help the young brothers answer God’s call. This call to holiness and love is for every Christian, but the manner of response differs. Theirs is through celibacy. He advised the parents that henceforth, the brothers now belong to the Church. The rite of profession started with the call of the novices and the dialogue between them and the provincial superior, then profession in proper. After this the temporally professed brothers renewed their vows. The event was graced by the presence of two confreres who had their first profession in the same church 30 years ago. And then, the Eucharistic celebration continued. At the end of the Mass, the newly professed brothers expressed their profound gratitude towards all the parties who helped them in their formation.Photos were taken following the Mass; refreshment was in the novitiate that is housed in Maison du Sacré-Coeur of Ndoungué.