rs. Giovanni Montesi and Carlos Collantes were the first Xaverians to arrive in the much populated neighborhood of Yaoundè, Oyom Abang. It was 20 years ago, and all they found was a small piece of land, with a church made of straw and mud. One of the Christians of the place offered his house for the two priests, located just in front of the Church. It was then the beginning of the presence of the Xaverians in the capital of Cameroon… just like the Holy Family of Nazareth.
The two “pioneers” who took the responsibility of the Church of the “Good Shepherd”, opened their arms in welcome to the first two students, Katindi Ramazani from DR Congo and Gianni Brentegani from Italy. Today,
Fr. Katindi is the rector of the Theology Community at Yaoundè (for the last 5 years), while Fr. Brentegani is the Provincial Superior of the Xaverians in DR Congo.
Arrival from the four corners of the world
Since then, there was a lot of water that went under the bridge… Oyom Abang is surrounded by other neighborhoods, and the houses spring up daily, just like the joyful and loving children that live in them. You’ll have to search deep in the center of the neighborhood to find the “Good Shepherd” church. And both the theology community and the parish are as one, inserted among the people, living side by side with the people.
Over the last few years, the community has increased in numbers. This year, there are 17 theology students, one coming from Bangladesh, two from Cameroon, three from Congo, three from Indonesia, one from Italy, seven from Mexico, and one from Sierra Leone. Four are the Fathers who follow this community:
Fr. Katindi, rector of the Community, Fr. Renzo Larcher, pastor of the mission church,
Fr. Paolo Tovo who teaches Theology and follows the finances of the community, and
Fr. Yacobus Sriyatmoko from Indonesia who assists both parish and community. Everyone gives a precious contribution to the life of the parish and to the training of the Xaverian students. Indeed, a great team, for a great community!
Up and down the City’s seven hills
The young Xaverian students go to school at the Theology Union created and sustained by religious missionary congregations, and we are founding members. It’s located about 12 miles from our house, and every morning one of the students drives the van to bring everyone to the school. They normally come back in the afternoon, at the end of the theology lessons.
Every single day they go up and down the “seven hills” that form the city of Yaoundè. In fact, each neighborhood is named after one of the hills. They traverse the beautiful and well-maintained center of the city, with its luxurious hotels and asphalted roads, and reach other areas in the outskirts where over a million people live in dire poverty.
The ordinary life of our students who are preparing for mission assignment is touched by study, prayer life, ministry, community life, and visits of many people in need. The hours of the day move quickly under the heat of the day! And we want to thank the many friends who help us, spiritually and financially, in this efforts of sustaining these young apostles of the Gospel.
(From "Missionari Saveriani" - Xaverian News)