We, the participants in the “Pious Schools Going Forth” programme, continued the formation we began on 23 June in Benin.
On Sunday 29 June, we travelled to Za Agbobomé, a town located in the commune of Za Kpota, in the Zou Department. This is where our religious community is based, composed of Frs. Soïne, Augustin and Alex, who serve the parish and a secondary school, among other pastoral ministries.
Together with them, we were warmly welcomed by the large parish community that gathered for the Sunday Eucharist. The celebration, beautifully prepared, was held in fô (the local language) and in French, enriched with vibrant songs and dances. At the end of the Mass, funds were collected to support the construction of the parish church. We were deeply moved by the generosity and enthusiasm of the people for this project.
After the Eucharist, we shared lunch with the religious community. Later, we travelled to Abomey, the capital of the Zou Department, where we visited the ruins of the former Dahomey Kingdom palaces.
On Monday 30 June, we resumed the formation process following the same structure as the previous week: presentation of the topic by the coordinating team, personal reflection, sharing in life communities (subgroups of four members), and plenary sessions. Each day began with morning prayer, followed by the celebration of the Eucharist in the evening, and a day review in each life community after dinner.
Among the topics addressed this second week were: the peripheries, interculturality, community in a missionary key, social transformation, Piarist leadership with an innovation perspective, the ministerial platforms of the Order, and integral sustainability.
Our in-person formation concludes on Friday 4 July, and this marks the beginning of a new online phase. We return to our communities with our brothers held in our hearts and prayers, as well as renewed enthusiasm to implement the keys we have received, contributing to the development of the Order’s culture in our Piarist presences and religious communities.
We are grateful to our Provinces for the opportunity to participate in this programme, and especially to the coordinating team (Frs. Carles, József, Juan Pablo, Stefano, Alex and Juan) for their dedication, work, and commitment to building the Pious Schools through this programme.
