Help the Formation of Young Carmelite Brothers in the Central African Republic
Monday, December 28, 2015

Will you join in supporting 35 young Carmelite brothers as they continue their formation in very challenging conditions?

Ever since he was a little boy, Jean-Thierry Ebogo from Cameron had had just one dream: he wanted to become a priest in order to be "like Jesus," nothing less. Sadly, his dream was not to be fulfilled, for this young Carmelite friar died on January 5, 2006, at the age of just 24. But the holiness of his life and death were to sow the seeds of numerous new vocations.

It was in 2003 when this young man first entered the Carmelite monastery of Nkoabang. He faithfully followed the "Little Way" of Saint Therese of Lisieux, the way of holiness through perfect childlike trust in God's mercy. To his religious name, he added the supplementary title "of the Child Jesus and of the Passion." This passion was soon afterwards to become a reality in his own life, for just a year after his entry into the order a malignant tumour was discovered on his right knee. His leg had to be amputated and Jean-Thierry underwent a course of chemotherapy, but in vain.

He endured his sufferings with extraordinary courage and even with joy. On December 8, 2005, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, he took his permanent vows early, with special permission. He died just a month later, his sanctity widely acclaimed. The cause for his beatification has already been introduced.

Before his death, Jean-Thierry had promised to pray from heaven for a "shower of solid and holy religious and priestly vocations" for the Carmelites in Africa. This young Carmelite seems to have kept his word, for not only in his own country of Cameroon but also in the neighboring Central African Republic there has been a real flourishing of vocations since then. At present, there are 35 young men, in various stages of formation, preparing for their permanent vows and their ordination to the priesthood.

This wealth of vocations is a blessing, but it also represents a challenge for the Carmelite order, since the Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world and has also been afflicted by violent unrest. As a result, the grounds of the Carmelite monastery in the capital Bangui have been turned into one of the largest refugee camps in the city.

Thousands of refugees have sought shelter here – following the most recent unrest in October 2015, their numbers have grown to around 10,000. This has made it even harder for the Carmelites to find the resources to pay for the training of their new vocations. These young men not only need to be fed, clothed and medically provided for, but they also need books, computers, writing materials and many other things besides.

Italian Carmelite Father Federico Trinchero, who is responsible for the formation of the young brothers in Bangui, writes: "For our young men, these refugees are a veritable training in the spirit of the Gospel." Yet the needs are great and the financial challenges considerable, even as it remains vital to ensure the best possible formation of these young African vocations. It is in their hands that the future of the Church in their country will rest.

ACN has pledged a contribution of $23,700. Will you join in supporting these 35 young Carmelite brothers so they continue their formation in such challenging conditions? We are sure they will remember you in their grateful prayers.

Code: 142-02-79

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