VISIT TO THE SISTERS IN BENIN APRIL – MAY 2017

Life in the remote villages is not something new to me who am Indian. What surprised me is to go and come anywhere by two-wheeler. It is also sometime by the kindness of someone who is known to the Sisters. Few days after, I was having more courage and less fear. Sisters go by hired auto or taxi for shopping or to hospital.

Our Sisters are really courageous in Kolokonde. They have a dispensary cum laboratory which is very beneficial to the sick peoplearound. In a near future they have a plan to open a maternity with the help of their Diocese which will extremely help the pregnant ladies in that area. Moreover they are in charge of one more dispensary at Bari, almost 30 KM away from their convent. In the rainy season it is very hard to reach there, such the condition of the road. However, the Nurse Sister goes there twice a week, with an auxiliary nurse (ANM) since, of course,the life of the patients matters much for them.

I was also in Kolokonde during the Holy WeeK. The Procession on Palm Sunday marked by a long procession towards asub-station about 3 KM away from the main Church. The Mass was in the open air; faithful greatly recollected with devotional songs in loud voice, well rhythmed, as you can imagine in that culture… A beautiful night of Easter too!

The month got over very fast by sharing the daily life of the Sisters: their joy, their worries, questionings and projects.

At N’Dali, in the Novitiate I have found young Postulants and Novices (7) joyful and enthusiastic. Several time in a year, they have Inter-congregational courses atParacou about 50 KM from the Novitiate House but they are regular in participating in it. I have shared with them, in short, the ‘History of the Sisters of Providence of Gap’. They were touched by the life and the spirit that animated our First Sisters and Foundresses.

I had the joy of spending some time with the Sisters ofCotonou,Adjohun andDangbo. They are really committed to children and young in their surroundings. All the Sisters are trying their best so that their Province mightbecome financially self-sufficient.

Merci, dear Sisters, for this enriching stay you allowed me to have in your midst. May the spirit John Martin Moye radiate in your life and around you, through your mission and dedication. Yes, Providence leads us. Let us have confidence!

Mary Frances SPG   mullanm51@gmail.com