November 4th marked the celebration of the final profession of our confreres: Brothers Cyrille Nemi Olinga, Guillaume Djikoeu, Salomon Edinguele, Elias Fali Kiming and Jean-François Otelasongo. It was a lovely day as the climate was so good for the liturgists to put everything in order before Holy Mass commenced.
It began at 9:00 a.m. promptly with the presence of more than 10 priests. The main presider was the Provincial Superior, Fr. Jean-Marie Signe. One could view the finally professed brothers in their beautiful white albs processing into the parish Church of Saint Pius X.
In his homily, Father Provincial highlighted the importance of a “call to perfection of holiness”. The Provincial seized the opportunity to pose a fundamental question: how is it possible for a religious to dispossess himself of material goods? We need to comprehend this teaching of Christ in a sense where we are called to share not only what we have but most importantly who we are, as consecrated servants to God’s service. This is the reason why our Oblation prayer invites us to offer ourselves daily as true Oblates to God. It is natural that we, Dehonians, recite this prayer at dawn to consecrate not only our undertakings, but our whole religious life to God’s service.
Before the final blessing we had speeches from different people. At the end was Br. Guillaume Djiokeu on behalf of the finally professed brothers.
Following Holy Mass, the finally professed brothers posed with various groups, beginning first with the clergy, after which everyone proceeded to the community house, Maison Jean Dehon, for refreshments. In all, we can only utter a word of total acknowledgement to the Almighty God for the successful and lively event.
