As planned, the 2024 preparation and perpetual vows for French-speaking countries in the Africa-Madagascar sub-region were held in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For our delegation, I was the sole candidate. Indeed, I left Madagascar on the morning of Thursday, August 1, and arrived in Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, the same afternoon. I was the first to arrive at the OMI scholasticate in Congo. Those from the Cameroon province arrived the following day, and the Senegalese two days later.

We were therefore from five different countries: Cameroon, Nigeria, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Madagascar. There were 16 of us: 2 Cameroonians, 4 Nigerians, 3 Senegalese, 6 Congolese, and 1 Malagasy. We were welcomed at the St. Eugene de Mazenod Scholasticate in Kinshasa, as this was where the preparatory session was to take place. The scholasticate team, the formators, and some scholastics gave us a warm welcome.

Session

Our stay in Kinshasa was divided into five weeks. The first four weeks were dedicated to the preparatory session, with each week focusing on a specific theme. The final week was strictly reserved for spiritual preparation, namely the retreat. The first week began with an opening speech by Fr. Guillaume, OMI, Vicar Provincial of the Congo Province. He encouraged us to fully embrace this crucial moment in our lives—a decisive time, a moment of definitive discernment. In his speech, he also highlighted that preparation for vows, conducted collectively at the sub-regional level, has been a tradition in the Congregation since 1994.

Immediately after the opening speech by Fr. Guillaume, Fr. Abel Nsolo, a Congolese Oblate, began the session with the theme "Identity, Charism, and Oblate Spirituality." His lecture focused on the life of the founder and the founding of the Congregation. He presented four key points: understanding the context of the founder, the life of the founder, the major themes of his spirituality and charism, and the fundamental values of Oblate charism. With his experience, extensive reading, and in-depth research, Fr. Abel Nsolo's presentation greatly helped us recall the history and identity of the Congregation.

The second week – focused on the theme "Community Life and Sense of Belonging," with Fr. Lin, a Congolese Oblate priest working in the Cameroon Province. Fr. Lin began his lecture with a series of questions to encourage us to reflect and become aware of the meaning of our presence and belonging to the Congregation as perpetual members.

The continuation of his talk focused on the continuity and importance of living together in the community. He emphasized the close link and complementarity between community and mission. Finally, he concluded his session by asking us to work in groups to reflect and analyze the community and mission of today in comparison to the founder's time, essentially a kind of in-depth discussion aimed at envisioning the future.

The third week – was led by Fr. Paul Marie, OMI, a Senegalese priest, who guided us with the theme "The Vows or the Evangelical Counsels." He began his lecture with a conceptual study aimed at helping us better understand the meaning and significance of the vows we were to pronounce perpetually. He then discussed the four vows: Chastity, Poverty, Obedience, and Perseverance, assuring us at the end that living according to what is written in our Rule of Life ensures both survival in the Congregation and true consecration.

The fourth week - was led by Fr. Razoky Hissène, OMI, a Malagasy priest, who facilitated our preparation with the theme "Oblate Mission and Pastoral Ministry." He structured his lecture as follows: 1- The mission in general (its meaning, origin, purpose, etc.), based on the Bible, especially the Gospel ; 2- A comparison of mission during the founder's time and today, enriched by each participant's sharing ; and 3- the challenges and difficulties of the mission and the obstacles to overcome.

He animated this final session effectively by involving us in sharing and debates. Each participant had the opportunity to understand the mission or the mission situation in other countries. At the end, Fr. Hissène encouraged us, as perpetual members of the Congregation, to embrace a missionary spirit and to actively participate in the mission entrusted to us by Christ.

Retreat

The final week, from August 31 to September 5, was dedicated to spiritual preparation. We went to the Carmelite spiritual center "Centre Thérésiarum," not far from the scholasticate. The Provincial of Congo, Fr. Constant Kienge-Kienge, was our retreat preacher. His well-prepared instructions greatly appealed to us, and he had the ability to deeply immerse us in the retreat's spiritual atmosphere. The first interaction with him began with the invocation of the Holy Spirit, an introduction, and a presentation of the program.

The following day, he began his conference by teaching us how to live this precious and unique time—a time of grace. In summary, his intervention unfolded as follows: each day, he presented a theme interconnected with the others. "Encountering the Lord to abide in His love" through prayer; this love of God is among "The Gifts of God," which requires total trust in Him. As creations, we must become "Aware of our unworthiness and imperfection"; this awareness of sin leads us to "Reconcile with God" through penance.

We concluded our retreat on Thursday, September 5, and the following afternoon, we rehearsed the celebration at St. Eloi Parish with the Provincial Father. Saturday, September 7, was the day of the vows. The Mass was presided over by Fr. Constant Kienge-Kienge, Provincial of Congo, assisted by fellow Oblates, religious, and lay Christians. The church was not full, but there was still a significant number of attendees. The ceremonial Mass lasted approximately four hours. After the church ceremony, there was a festive meal to share the joy with family and invited guests. Each candidate was allowed to invite ten people to the meal. On my part, ten Malagasy, including religious men and women as well as laypeople, came to attend the ceremony. The next day, Sunday, September 8, my guests came again to the scholasticate to congratulate me and bid me farewell. Fr. Hissène celebrated Mass for us in Malagasy, and our gathering continued with sharing, a meal, and dancing.

To conclude, my time in Kinshasa was truly historic in my personal and religious life, as it was there that I prepared for and gave my definitive "Yes" to God and the Church through the vows of consecration. Moreover, this stay also gave me the opportunity to discover many experiences, such as internationality, interculturality, the missionary spirit, other missions, and more.

In short, my journey, my stay in Kinshasa, and especially my definitive consecration to God within the Congregation and the Church went smoothly without any difficulties, thanks to Almighty God. Therefore, I give glory to Him for His protection and providence. I am also deeply grateful to the host country, the Congregation, and the Madagascar Delegation, which supported me from the beginning until now. I also thank my fellow Oblates, my family, and the people who helped me. Thank you immensely.

Scholastic RAKOTONIAINA Jean Rolland OMI