Lomé (Togo). On 21 August 2021 in Lomé, Togo, three Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from Mother of God Province (AFO) made their Perpetual Vows in the FMA Institute and an FMA celebrated the 25th anniversary of religious profession.
The Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by Msgr. Barrigah-Benissan Nicodème, Metropolitan Archbishop of Lomé and Administrator of the Diocese of Atakpamé, took place at the Parish of Mary Help of Christians in Gbényédzi, Lomé. The Provincial of Our Lady of Peace (AFO) Province, Fr. José Elégbédé, some Salesians of Don Bosco, and diocesan priests concelebrated. The parents and some relatives of the New Perpetuals and of the FMA Jubilarian were present.
In his homily, the Archbishop emphasized preferential love for God, charity, and fraternal love: three inseparable dimensions in religious life, which is a gift of God to the Church and to the world. The Archbishop reminded the New Perpetuals and the FMA who celebrated her 25th anniversary of their fidelity to the commitment of Consecration, a sublime and demanding mission, exhorting them to be signs and witnesses of God’s love for young people and those they meet.
After the homily, the Rite of Perpetual Profession took place. Perpetual Profession is a public and ecclesial act, a definitive consecration that commits the Daughter of Mary Help of Christians to give herself totally to God, loved above all else, in joyful service to young people, according to the spirit of the Preventive System of St. John Bosco and St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello.
During the Rite, according to local custom, the parents gave their blessing to their daughters. At the end of the Mass, the Provincial, Sr. Yolande Kikange, expressed her gratitude for the celebration, hoping for the gift of new vocations among the young women. The New Perpetually Professed FMA turned to the young people and encouraged them not to be afraid to give their life to God.
A fraternal moment followed in the courtyard of Mary Help of Christians Community in an atmosphere of joy and celebration, with young people, families, Salesians, and other guests.
On 22 August 2021, the Provincial and the New Perpetuals participated in a celebration of thanksgiving at Christ the King church of Kodjoviakopé of the Archdiocese of Lomé, the parish where the FMA celebrating her 25th anniversary grew up.
