They chose Sunday, February 4. After the 11h Mass in the parish church of Saint Eloi in Kinshasa-Barumbu, some 20 lay Oblate associates met with the Oblate provincial superior, Father Constant Kienge-Kienge to welcome him as a new provincial and to exchange vows for the new year 2024.
The AMMI/RDC coordinator, Louis Kitenge, explained that the group has narrowed over time, becoming less populated than that of Angola where the provincial superior has just stayed and sent photos of his meeting with the lay Associates. Louis Kitenge found the second reading of the liturgy of the fourth Sunday of the liturgical year very timely. Relying on the words of St Paul to the Corinthians, he recalled that engagement in the AMMI group is a mission, which pursues no material interest but Christ and evangelization according to the charism of Eugene de Mazenod.
On behalf of all, Louis Kitenge gave two symbolic gifts to Father Kienge-Kienge. First a piece of the pagne struck with the effigy of the Virgin Mary that lay associates adopted as uniform. « When you are tired or even discouraged, trust our mother Immaculate »recommended Louis Kitenge. Then a pair of sandals, « to facilitate access to communities ».
Father Kienge-Kienge congratulated and thanked the lay associates present. He expressed the hope that the group would revitalize itself as Kikwit is doing. He urged perseverance, hope and effective communion among members.
The provincial superior was accompanied by four other Oblates: the provincial vicar, Father Guillaume Muthunda; the parish priest Saint Justin, Father Antoine Mafu; Father Jean-Baptiste Malenge, of the department of communication. Father Adolphe Vunga, pastor of the parish Christ-Sauveur and chaplain of the lay associates in the DRC joined them.
It was around a meal that the day continued.
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