Special 60th anniversary - Senegal
12/12/2023
"Shared joy is a double joy" Jacques Deval
60 years of Ursuline presence in Senegal with Saint Angela - let's give thanks to God, let's rejoice, let's act: that was the theme of the 60th anniversary.
October 21, 2023 was a memorable date in Thiès; a red-letter day exciting everyone; a date worthy of being engraved in gold in the annals of our communities. It was a time of great joy.
Everyone was thrilled by the 5 events celebrated that day:
- 60 years of Ursuline presence in Senegal
- 60 years of Collège Sainte Ursule in Thiès
- Silver Jubilee of Sisters Angélique Odette Mbaye and Thérèse Emile Zobo Etoga
- Perpetual vows of Sisters Catherine Bop, Julie Germaine Gomis and Georgette Niane
- Temporary vows of novices Evelyne Lateo Gning, Jeannette Goyaha and Romaine Clarisse Tsogo.
The Group was already full of enthusiasm at the idea of welcoming for the first time the Mother General, Mother Susan Flood and two of her Councillors, Sisters Agatha Linda Chandra, Councillor in charge of the Sainte Angèle d'Afrique Group and Claudine Marie Ndione, member of the Group. History records that such an event can only be extraordinary, especially for those who had the honour of pronouncing their vows in the presence of Mother. There's a saying that goes: "People will forget what you said, ... what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel". And so it was, the Sisters received Mother with great joy.
Nearly 2,000 people responded to the Ursulines' invitation: families of the Sisters being honoured, students, former students of the Collège, parents of students, Friends of St Angela, FUS (Ursuline family of Senegal), religious men and women, priests, friends and acquaintances, guests, and so on. The whole crowd bore witness to the work that the previous sisters had done to get to where they are today. Yes, the Group owes a debt of gratitude to the sisters who preceded them. They made foundations, achieved great things, implanted the charism of Saint Angela and encouraged Ursuline vocations in our countries.
They passed the torch to later generations who, thanks to their prayers and sacrifices, are continuing the work they began. St Angela is watching over her daughters, inspiring them with new energy for a fruitful mission. We give thanks for all the marvels the Lord has accomplished in the lives of each of them.
Eucharist means thanksgiving. The Mass began at 10.00 am, presided over by His Excellency Mgr André Gueye, Bishop of Thiès. It was a prayerful, magnificent, lively and invigorating celebration. Beautiful songs accompanied the Sisters and the crowd that came to be with them. Nothing was left to chance: songs, dances, explosions of joy, moments of silence and emotion, prayerful communion.
This beautiful Eucharistic celebration was followed by a festive fraternal meal in the courtyard of the College Sainte Ursule. It was like a rainbow, with every shade of talent and creativity on display: there was a regal entrance, as for a wedding feast, with dance, songs and drums from the Senegalese cultures of Jola, Sereer and Manjak, as well as tunes from Cameroon. Joy shone out from everyone's faces. The atmosphere was radiant with family joy. The party was beautiful. The glory goes to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who gave us the grace to experience such an event and to be able to make this experience available to others.
Thank you to the entire institute for being united with the Group throughout this time. May St Angela, exemplar of our consecration, continue to guide and support us through her intercession, so that our life together may bear witness to the Good News. We say Amen to that!
25 november 2023
Sr Marie Noël Ngom, osu
Ursuline Family celebrations / Cultural activities ►
