Accompaniment: Senegal

Simon Lumpini and myself have spent the last 10 days accompanying our MSC confreres in the west African country of Senegal. This vast, flat, almost desert like country is very hot and physically demanding. At the same time, we have encountered people full of life, vision and energy, with a deep commitment to the mission of the heart of God and serving his people. While this is a developing nation, many of its services, such as the airport, highways, and mobile networks, are first class.

Beginning in Gandigal, where we have the Pere Jules Chevalier School Complex, we traveled almost every day to each MSC house and ministry so that we could sit and listen to each confrère and get a deep sense of the mission they are involved in. The consultation process for Superior of the UAF was a part of our mandate.

From Gandigal we visited the City of Dakar and met our pre-novices and formators. We also had an opportunity to pay our respects to the many who suffered from slavery in a visit to the island of Goree. We ventured south of the city towards The Gambia to our communities in Kaolak, Nioro, Ndiaffate, and Gossas. The Diocese of Kaolak was established by the MSC missionaries coming from France back in the 1950s. In our visit to the local Bishop he was full of praise for our men of the past and those currently serving in the diocese.

I would love to say something about each of the MSC that we met but there isn’t space here, for they are truly exceptional men living with many challenges and yet doing their best to serve the mission.

I would particularly like to thank Fr. George Diabone MSC, the District Superior, for hosting us with outstanding hospitality and energy. He drove us hundreds of kilometres across Senegal, and to Br. Willy Diom MSC who kept our cars on the road.

May the heart of Jesus continue to bless our men working in this land that is arid but full of life.

Chris Chaplin, MSC