On the 1st of August, the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists), Vice-Province of West Africa, celebrated a moment of profound joy and spiritual significance as eight of their brothers professed their first religious vows. They were; Hubert, Romuald, Éric, Jacques, Isaac, Casimir, Emmanuel, and Emile. The celebration was held at the Novice Community of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Besease, Ghana, because they have a larger chapel to accommodate all participants.
The event was made even more meaningful as it coincided with the Solemnity of Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, the holy Founder of the Redemptorists and Doctor of the Church. Celebrating such a milestone on the Founder’s Day added both spiritual depth and historical significance to the occasion, serving as a vivid reminder of the enduring legacy of Saint Alphonsus and his call to follow Christ the Redeemer in the service of the poor and most abandoned.
The Vice-Provincial Superior, Fr. Nobila Sawadogo Olivier C.Ss.R, presided over the Eucharistic celebration and received the vows of the eight young men, officially welcoming them into the Congregation. In his homily, he spoke warmly and reflectively: “My dear brothers, seeing you at this stage of your life this morning, your parents and all those who have witnessed your journey cannot help but recall the joy your birth brought—the happy memories of your childhood and youth. Your parents, especially, welcomed you as marvels of God, and they inserted you into the life of the People of God through baptism. Through your vows, you seek not only to commit yourselves totally, but above all, radically, to journey with God’s people. And you are right—our personal histories take on deeper meaning when they are rooted in the story of the People of God.
Dear brothers, your individual stories, with their struggles, joys, and sorrows, mirror the story of God, who reaches out to His people by sending His Messiah. During your novitiate, you have had time to reflect on the meaning of the evangelical counsels, which you now profess. It is good to remember, especially today, that these are not abstract ideals—they are the very way of life of Jesus Himself.
Through the vow of chastity, you choose fraternal charity and universal love—a commitment to love all people unconditionally. Through poverty, you promise to rely on God and one another in community, committing to share your gifts and resources for the benefit of all. And through obedience, you enter a journey of faith and freedom, seeking to discern and follow the will of God through the teachings and directions of our superiors, always in fidelity to our Constitutions and Statutes. In our consecrated life, Jesus is always the reference point. His just, poor, and obedient lifestyle is what we strive to imitate in very concrete ways.”
The profession ceremony was deeply moving, and the joyful assembly—composed of priests, religious men, and women, lay faithful, the Redemptorists Lay Associates from Burkina Faso (La FLAR) and friends—witnessed a vibrant expression of faith and dedication.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate Community provided a sacred and welcoming space for the celebration. The liturgy, enriched with song and prayer, was a true festival of the Holy Spirit. All present gave thanks for the gift of these eight new Redemptorists and for the ongoing vitality of the Congregation.
Let us continue to pray for these newly professed brothers. May they persevere in their vocation and grow daily in love and fidelity. And may Saint Alphonsus intercede for them and for all Redemptorists, so that they may remain faithful missionaries of hope and redemption.
Communications Office, Vice Province of West Africa
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