A time of fraternity, discernment, and discovering one’s vocation!

MSC Vocations Camp 2026 in Senegal. Theme: ‘Come and follow me’ (Mk 10:21).

Held from 3 to 7 of August 2026, the MSC vocations camp for aspirants brought together 19 aspirants and 3 members of the formation team at the Père Jules Chevalier School Complex in Gandigal. As in previous years, these young men, whose average age was around 15, came mainly from the dioceses of Dakar, Kaolack, and Thiès. They were eager to learn more about the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and to continue their journey of discernment.

As in the past, however, the challenges that young people face in committing themselves to respond positively to the Lord’s call remain very much present today. These include poverty, which leads some parents to rely heavily on their sons once they have obtained their Baccalauréat; the desire among other young people to become successful professionals; the outright refusal of some parents; and the influence of a society focused on power and possessions.

Nevertheless, because the vocations camp was above all a time of encounter, reunion, and fraternity, it enabled the young participants to come together in a fraternal atmosphere, share their experiences, and discover more about the life, spirituality, and mission of the MSC.

For several days, everyone was invited to live together, pray, reflect, exchange ideas, and deepen their understanding of their vocation.

Each day at the camp was structured around a variety of activities: meditation, prayer, talks, discussions, group sessions, sharing experiences, community work, sport, visits, singing classes, Eucharistic celebrations, and recreation. This variety enabled the young people to discover that vocation is not limited to prayer or formation, but is also lived out through fraternity, service, sharing, and the small gestures of everyday life.

The vocations camp was thus rooted in a profound conviction: God continues to call. The Lord who called Fr. Jules Chevalier and his first companions continues today to call young people to follow him as Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

Everyone was convinced that vocation is a gift from God, but that the call is heard and welcomed through prayer, joy, generosity of life, and the witness of communities that live out their vocation authentically.

Vocations ministry therefore holds an important place in the mission of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. It consists in inviting, welcoming, and accompanying those who wish to discover the charism of our Society and deepen their discernment within our religious family.

Over the five days, the young people spent time with their formation team: Fr Jean Jacques F. VALEA, Fr. Alfred GOMIS, the postulant Pape Christian MBENGUE, and with several confrères from the Gandigal community. This gave them the opportunity to listen to their testimonies, ask them questions, and discover more concretely what it means to be a Missionary of the Sacred Heart. This closeness fostered a genuine experience of fraternity and enabled each participant to move forward with greater confidence in his own discernment.

Beyond the various activities offered, the vocations camp was a wonderful opportunity for the aspirants to experience MSC life more fully. Through prayer, joy, simplicity, and fraternity, they gradually discovered a missionary family called to proclaim the Gospel and to stand in particular alongside the poorest members of our society.

Through the theme of this year’s camp, “Come and follow me”, the participants were reminded that every vocation finds its fulfilment in accepting the mission entrusted to it. The theme invites each young person to open his heart to the action of the Holy Spirit, listen to God’s call, and discern freely and generously the vocation to which the Lord is calling him.

Fr. Nongassida Jean Jacques Florian VALEA, MSC
Vocations Ministry Coordinator in Senegal. UAF