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...

On the Liturgy and a Brief History of the Institute

After writing my last post on Holy Week, it occurred to me that a brief explanation of the liturgy in general, as well as a history of the Institute, would be in order. The mission's website ( www.friendsofthemissions.com ) gives a history as follows: "In 1988 the late Monsignor Obamba, bishop of the Diocese of Mouila, gave his predecessor’s episcopal home and surrounding grounds to the then newly founded Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. It became then the first canonically erected house of the Institute, under the name of: Saint Therese of the Infant Jesus Mission. Within a year or two however, Cardinal Piovannelli (Bishop of the Diocese of Florence, Italy) invited the Institute to establish its headquarters and seminary in Gricigliano, a beautiful Italian villa on the shores of the Arno river. "From there, the Institute, being closer to Rome, expanded rapidly, taking the international dimensions it has today. Despite no longer being the headquarters of...

Let the Little Ones Come to Me

The day after Ascension, we had Mass in the afternoon. It was a votive "Mass for the Sick", for Canon Fragelli, whom we had heard that they wanted to take to a hospital in Florence. "I hope he's back before I leave!" states my journal. Later, closer to the evening, Canon Sigros asked me if I had a key to the dispensary. I didn't. He asked if I had something for "disinfecting", as one of the littler altar boys (three of them were hanging around Canon that afternoon) had a large, superficial cut on his arm. I jumped at the opportunity and told Canon I could do something. He replied with, "I want this boy disinfected". The wound was large, taking up most of the boy's forearm, and while it wasn't deep, it was four days old and I guessed it hadn't been cleaned. My supplies were less than I would have hoped, but they were sufficient. I was able to clean the wound with soap and water, rinse it, and put antibiotic ointment on it. I ...

Loving Africa

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