Prior General visits Kamabai, imparts message of hope and unity

Kamabai, SIERRA LEONE—“This fraternal visit is a conversion that has to be lived every day,” Fray Miguel Miró, OAR, Prior General, said to the community of Recoletos de Kamabai last November 20-24, 2019. Accompanied by Fray Raul Buhay, OAR, General Councilor and President of the General Secretariat of Apostolates, who acted as translator of the Fray Miró, the Prior General visited this community with the following purposes: to renew the community according to the Constitutions of the Order; to urge the brothers to be always open to the actions of the Holy Spirit; to know how the community live their Augustinian Recollect vocation; and to know and deepen the brothers’ motivation in order to love and share this love to others.

The Prior General also wanted to know and experience the sacrifices of the missionaries of Kamabai, who at present experience difficulties due to the emerging conflicts caused by the insurgencies of renegade groups. More than these, Fray Miró assured his brothers that his visit also brings hope because it is the Lord who directs the Order and the Province of St. Ezekiel Moreno. He also reminded them that our work will have meaning if we look at it with the perspective of the Lord.

As one community, the brothers from Kamalo and Kamabai had a spiritual retreat based on the Augustinian Recollect Spiritual Exercises. This took place on November 21, 2019, the second day of the fraternal visit.

The following day, on November 22, 2019, Fray Miguel Miró, OAR, together with Most Rev. Natalle Paganelli, Bishop of Makeni, blessed the St. Thomas Senior High School.

On November 23, 2019, Fray Miguel, as part of his fraternal visit, reviewed and signed the official books of the community and had a one-on-one dialogue with each member of the community.

During the Solemnity of Christ the King, the Prior General concelebrated with the community of Recoletos de Kamabai in a Mass at Our Lady of Sierra Leone Parish. Fray Mark Ryan Prado, OAR, Prior of Recoletos de Kamabai, presided this Solemn Mass.

At the close of the fraternal visit, Fray Miguel Miró imparted to the brothers the message that “we join ourselves with the whole creation in praising the Lord as we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King.” He thanked the missionaries for their sacrifices and love for the mission in Sierra Leone. He gave his assurance that the whole Order of Augustinian Recollects is behind them to accompany and support them. Finally, he urged them to live out our spiritual and fraternal life for these are the essentials of our life as Augustinian Recollects. Then he closed the fraternal visit by imparting to them his blessings and prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

After the closing of the fraternal visit, the community shared an early lunch before accompanying Fray Miguel and Fray Raul to Lungui Airport for their departure back to Rome.