From the capital of Cameroon, Yaoundé, here are some echoes of Vocational Month at St. Charles Lwanga Parish in Nkolbisson.

In this month of May dedicated to vocations, we wanted, in communion with the congregation, offer the faithful of the parish a moment of reflection and prayer. So, together with the catechists and Deacon Brother Melaine, we have organised a time of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on 18 May 2025 after the 11 a.m. Mass in the oratory located on the side aisle of the church.

This time of adoration is for everyone, with a special focus on young people during this vocational month, in order to encourage them to reflect on the meaning of their lives. On 18 May, the big day, Father Conrad, the parish priest, invited all Christians attending the 11 a.m. Mass to stay after the celebration for a fifteen-minute time of adoration.

The parish priest emphasised the importance of experiencing this moment with our young people, thus offering them a first experience of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

At first I was surprised, because we had planned something else, but I was quickly ‘carried away’ by the songs performed by the choir, which helped me to enter into a striking silence, punctuated by songs such as:

‘Tout simplement devant toi’ (Simply before you) and ‘Tu es là présent, livré pour nous’ (You are here, given for us).

Here we are, Lord, young and old, animated by the same quest, that of being as close as possible to your heart, in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar where Jesus gives himself.

During this moment of prayer and adoration, I was amazed by the participation of the faithful, who were fully engaged in this time of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.

Impressions of Brother Melaine:

“We are used to worshipping at St Charles Lwanga Parish, but this time it was a little different, especially the way the parish priest wanted it to be done, just after the Eucharist. It was really very important, it was like the prolongation of Christ whom we received in the body and blood of Christ. It is him whom we continue to adore in silence within us and at the same time present in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.

It was a beautiful experience and also a moment of intense communion for me and for all those who were present, because I also saw that everyone was really ‘hooked’ on this time of adoration. I had the impression that people were able to draw all the richness from a special flavour. Everyone was focused, it was really good! Let us give thanks to God for this!

What we have undertaken with the faithful and the young people is a small drop in the ocean, as Mother Teresa so aptly put it: ‘We ourselves feel that what we are doing is only a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less if that drop were missing.’

Sister Bernadette DOILLON

sdc N’Kolbisson – YAOUNDE