Baptism of an old man of 108 years in Chad

Congolese Oblate Father Lin Kiekie, parish priest Saints-Tite and Timothy, Chad, baptized an old man of 108 years. What a wonder in missionary life!

Today, Friday 27/06/2025, in the diocese of Pala, Holy parish Titus and Timothy, located in the West Mayo Kebbi in Chad, sub-prefecture of Guelo; We celebrated the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On this occasion, a face surprised us and amazed us both on the outskirts, in the village of Matanseung, Guelo sub-prefecture. In the preface of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we read: « In his immense love, when he was raised on the cross, he offered himself for us; and on his open side pierced, letting the blood and water flow, he brought forth the sacraments of the Church, so that all men, drawn to his heart, might come to draw joy from the living sources of salvation. »

As it was in the 4^e and 5^e centuries, Mr. PATALET ELIE, born in 1917, pagan since his birth, asked to be baptized practically to the article of death, better at the evening of his life after having had some rudiments accelerated on the sacraments of Christian initiation. Wrinkled face bearing the stigmas of the long years spent under the overwhelming, blind sun, but seeing with the other eyes, those of faith; The Veteran burst with joy in the midst of the songs and youyous of the crowd in joy. It was the Little Prince who rightly said; « You can only see with the eyes of the heart. The essential is invisible to the eyes ».

Indeed, the essential thing for the old man is the transition from night (dead) to dawn, a return to life. No matter the weakening of his body, become like a child, he understood better than Rabbi Nicodemus, petri of rabbinical science, the enigma of Jesus on « Reborn in High ». It is the bath of regeneration for its new birth that is the priority. This return to light, better this new birth that is for him the kairos Hey! He bet everything on eternity. Yes, he made a radical choice. Consecrating his life to the Lord, « his legacy ». This choice gives him full life for the rest of his life; thus moving with certainty towards a future of infinite happiness and joy (Ps 15).

Despite his ophthalmic handicap, his ears, like a parable, captured the word of God, understood all the dialogical questions. His tongue was articulated to renounce Satan and proclaimed his faith high. Distinctly! Is it not a wonder before our eyes, wonder by his age that plunges us into wonder; in questioning to discover God's love?

P. Lin KIEKIE Esaba Embu, O.M.I