On Wednesday, July 31st, 2025, the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer joyfully celebrated the entrance of seven novices into the Common Novitiate of the Vice-Province of Nigeria and the Vice-Province of West Africa. Four of the novices come from Nigeria and three from West Africa. The celebration also included the renewal of temporary vows by Brother Michael Adu Obeng, CSsR.
This special moment of grace coincided with the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the great Jesuit saint known for his spiritual discernment and missionary fervour. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by the Very Reverend Father Olivier Nobila Sawadogo, CSsR, Vice-Provincial Superior of West Africa.
In his homily, Father Olivier emphasized the importance of formation as a journey that balances tradition and renewal. Referring to the Gospel of Matthew, he highlighted the wise scribe who brings out treasures both old and new. This, he said, must be the task of every Redemptorist: to remain rooted in the tradition of Saint Alphonsus while discerning the needs of today’s world. The novitiate, he explained, is a sacred time of spiritual rebirth and pastoral preparation. He also connected this with the ongoing restructuring of the Congregation, which seeks to make the Redemptorist mission more effective for our times.
Also present at the celebration were Redemptorist priests, including the Novice Master, Reverend Father Ghislain Ouassa C.Ss.R, his associate Father Henry Ejiro C.Ss,R, and other confreres. The presence of Lay Redemptorist Associates (FLAR) from Burkina Faso added special joy to the celebration, showing the richness of Redemptorist collaboration between religious and lay missionaries.
After the homily, Brother Michael Adu Obeng, CSsR, publicly renewed his vows, witnessed by the Vice-Provincial and the Redemptorist family gathered in thanksgiving and joy. May these new novices and all in formation grow in holiness, zeal, and missionary spirit, faithfully drawing from the treasures of the old and the new for the glory of God and the service of the poor.
The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the labourers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest (Luke 10:2).
Communications Office, Vice Province of West Africa
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