Pourquoi Je Suis Ici (Why I'm Here)

Loué Jésus-Christ!

Where to begin?

On January 18th, 2021, I commenced my travel to the Mission St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus in Mouila, Gabon, to volunteer as a nurse. The beginning of my travel, however, was not the beginning of my journey, just as my arrival home on June 21st, 2021, was not the end. In between was an experience that has changed my life and, I believe, has truly made me a better person.

My purpose with this blog is simply to share my story, my love of Africa, missionary life and all that entails (the French language not excepted). I hope it brings you a little happiness, inspiration -- whatever God sees fit that you take from it.

Please, ask questions! If you would like to ask me something, please leave a comment and I will either reply to it directly or use it as inspiration for a post. Thank you all, and may God bless you and Our Lady keep you.

In Christ the King,

Sarah

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A Tribute to Canon Fragelli

Canon Henrique Fragelli, who rebuilt and revitalized the Mission Ste. Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus since 2012, died this morning in Brazil. His health had been fragile ever since contracting covid in May 2021, requiring a prolonged hospitalization and a double lung transplant. He had recently established a new mission in Rio de Janeiro at the invitation of the archbishop; today, as was noted by the Prior General of the Institute to be the first day of the month of St. Joseph, patron of a happy death, the Lord called him back to Himself. I can only imagine the mourning at his beloved mission. For my part, I have a few personal memories: -- Canon working with me to arrange my mission trip; offering me his arm when I nearly collapsed upon my arrival and later calling my mom to let her know I had arrived; teasing me: about my ridiculous facial expression when he was taking a picture, about making hamburgers because I'm American; urging courage and patience with learning French; simpl...

Ascension Thursday

As I have been reading through my journal again, I have rediscovered that many of my best and favorite stories and pictures are from May and June. The feast of the Ascension is one (not a lot of story, but quite a few pictures). The evening before the feast, Canon Sigros wrote the feast day schedule on the board. It was kind of a combination of a Sunday (10 a.m. Mass, then lunch on the terrace) and Thursday (Adoration), while being very much a day of its own. Additionally, he printed the day's menu and the "functions liturgiques": a list of everyone involved in the liturgy, and what each one's role was. To my great amusement, my very Scotch-Irish name made it in: I think Canon was taking cue from how they do things at the Institute seminary, and wanted to have some fun. He did plan a very festive lunch for after Mass. Alas, he had bought a bottle of Malibu rum and wanted us to make a cake from it, but we didn't have any eggs at that point. So we had ice cream. ...

Of Exorcisms, Pentecost and Malibu Rum

May 23rd was Pentecost that year. Canon Sigros had his usual fun of printing the list of who was doing what, as well as a sort of "program" for the Mass. Je suis l'organiste! :) There were 12 catechumens to be baptized that day, so on Saturday afternoon, Canon Sigros performed the ceremony of exorcisms that is traditionally done before baptisms. All 12 of them were children or teenagers, but as they had all achieved the age of reason, these would be considered "adult baptisms". The whole thing took more than an hour. There were many, many prayers, questions posed to each catechumen, placing exorcised salt on the tongue of each one, the Our Father recited three times (first for the boys, then the girls), Canon blowing in the face of each one (symbolizing the Holy Spirit), leading them into the church, more questions, the Apostles Creed, another Our Father, anointing each one... As a general rule, I don't take pictures during liturgical functions. However, ...

Loving Africa

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