“…We shall remain faithful to our annual retreat and several days of recollection throughout the year. Likewise, we will give great importance to spiritual direction and spiritual conversations.” (Constitutions 50). The importance of spiritual renewal is one that needs not be overemphasized for every Christian but in a particular way for Religious that we are. We acknowledge with conviction that our vocation is from God, for whom we live and from whom we derive the strength to do His will. Called to follow Christ as the only supreme reason of our being and mission, the need to regularly examine the nature and stakes of this relationship is of utmost importance. As says a great thinker, an examined life is not worth living. In this line, faithful to our Constitutions (cf CCn.50), the Province of Central Africa organized a series of spiritual retreats considered as moments of encounter with the author of our vocation aimed at renewal and growth.
The first retreat for the brothers living and working in Cameroon (one of the countries that comprise the Province of Central), took place in the Franciscan spiritual center in the town of Bamenda from February 26 to March 4, 2023. This retreat that was co-animated by Fr. Valery Muaffo, Sch.P (Master of Novices) and Fr. Ernest Tubuo (formator of the Archdiocese of Bamenda) saw the participation of 15 religious (Evaristus Akem, Valery Muaffo, Elias Sengka, Romeo Nghemteu, Marcel Kengem, Peter Afoukeze, Peter Jumkwa, Patrick Foumane, Divine Banboye, Paulinus Abose, Levinus Mbivnjo, Brandon Sekuna, Alex Djousse, Celestine Moh ). In a well mastered approach of a model of retreat known as “Unbound” the facilitators underlined the importance to set ourselves free from wounds, sins, situations, lies and habits that hindered us from having Christ as Lord of our lives. These and more prevent Christ taking control of our lives. Drawing inspiration from a series of biblical passages and illustrating with personal examples, the retreat masters reiterated the necessity of setting oneself from any form of bondage. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Ga5:1 Thanks to the talks, adorations and individual spiritual directions with the facilitators, the participants strived to unbound or free themselves for Christ who is Lord and Master, the center of every Religious.
In his remarks, Provincial Superior Fr. Evaristus Akem Ndi, Sch.P, noted that the present retreat takes place within the context of the preparation of the 3rd Provincial Chapter of Central Africa. It is thus an opportunity to each Religious to free himself from things that can derail him from the essentials Piarist life so that we can contribute more intensely in building the Pious School following the example of Calasanz and after the pattern of Christ. This is very possible especially with the help of Him who has called us into his vine. The retreat ended on a very satisfactory note and words of appreciation addressed to Fr. Valery Muaffo for convinced Piarist life. We are thankful to God for the graces received during this moment of spiritual enrichment.
Paulinus Abose, Sch.P.
