This year our vocational camp was held in Ngohé, Senegal, the home parish of Sr. Pascaline Daba Sarr and Sr. Angélique Sarr from August 19 to 25. Thirty-nine girls from different parishes—Samine, Koungheul, Ngohe and Loul Sessene, Ngascop, Dakar/Mbour/Thiès—participated. The theme focused on vocation in the Bible. Upon our arrival, we were welcomed with great warmth and kindness.
The moments devoted to learning were enriching and helped us to understand the deep meaning of our call better. In addition to time for prayer and reflection, there were recreational activities, handicrafts, visits to families, and reforestation activities that reinforced our community spirit and our commitment to the environment.
The mothers of the village organized a “Nguel,” which is a traditional celebration that made us happy. We were profoundly struck by the conviviality and generosity of the village’s residents and the food was delicious. Our heartfelt thanks go to the Sisters who accompanied us during the whole camp as well as to Fr. Joël Faye for his willingness and constant support.
From the beginning of the camp, we created bonds of friendship that helped us to live this common experience well. Participating in common prayer and mass was a source of great joy for us.
We also deepened our spiritual awareness through conversations, which were rich occasions of sharing that will remain engraved on our memories. We departed with hearts filled with joy and with new values that will guide our lives. The camp helped us to get closer to one another but also to strengthen our relationship with God. We acquired the awareness that through poor and suffering people, we can heal the wounds of Christ, and this is the charism of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor. We hope to be able one day to care for the wounds of the Lord through our service to the poor. This camp has been a precious time of sisterhood, learning, and shared joy.
Sr. Pélagie Ilboudo, coordinator