Bata, Equatorial Guinea. September 12, 2020, has been marked as the date of First Religious Profession in the inter-provincial Spanish-speaking “Padre Xifré” Novitiate House of Bata.
On August 14, 2019, five young men began their year of novitiate. Thus, Padre Xifré House of Formation converts itself into a novitiate house. In this first experience, there were five novices from two of ACLA’s Major Organisms: the Independent Delegations of Congo and Padre Xifré.
Due to the Covid-19 circumstances, it was not possible to celebrate the first professions on August 15, 2020, as planned. Finally, the ceremony took place on September 12, 2020.
The Major Superior of the Padre Xifré Delegation, Fr. José Engonga Mayo, CMF, received the first profession of Novices Fabrice Mawete, Georges-G. Mondo, Ghislain Tutonda, Olivier Okito, CMFF (Congo), and José-Antonio Mba Nkogo, CMF (Padre Xifré).
The Bishop of the Diocese of Bata, Mons. Juan Matogo, CMF, presided the Eucharist and, together with him, was Mons. Juan-Domingo Beká Esono, CMF, the Bishop of Mongomo, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Bata, and Claretians from some communities of Equatorial Guinea.
The other novices from other ACLA Organisms who wanted to join the Father Xifré Novitiate this year could not do so because of the closing of the borders due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, the only novice of the Padre Xifré Delegation, Benito Enguang Mayebe, was entrusted to its Novice Master, Fr. José Milam, CMF, on August 14, 2020.
We ask Almighty God to continue to bless our Congregation with the fidelity and perseverance of those already professed, as well as the incorporation of many and holy vocations.
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