Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Calavi (Agenzia Fides) - "Mission means being fascinated by Jesus Christ and trying to be a mirror of his goodness, wherever the breath of his Spirit leads us," says the Italian missionary Father Giovanni Benetti, a priest of the Society of African missions, who has been working in Benin for two years as a formator at the Brésillac Spirituality center in Calavi. "It is 'loving' that gives meaning to 'setting out'."
"I find myself in the midst of many young people who, together with the formative fathers and friends of the centre, foster a climate of brotherhood and simplicity," the missionary continued. "I take part in the spiritual accompaniment of these young people, in the preparation of retreats and training courses and in the various meetings for the formators. Depending on the time available, I also try to carry out my pastoral service in some of the surrounding parishes, especially on Sundays."
At the "Center of Brésillac" the seminarians of the Society of African Missions take part in the "International Year of Spirituality". This is a year of vocational study in an international context in which about 50 seminarians from all over the world take part, mainly from various African countries, but also from India and the Philippines. "This year 2023-2024," adds Father Benetti, "the Italian Anselmo is also there" (see Fides, 1/8/2022).
"There is a lot of work - says Father Giovanni - and requires a great sense of responsibility, because it concerns the vocation and therefore the life of the seminarians, the future missionaries of the Society, who, from me and the other confreres, provide an authentic Christian. "This requires humility that allows the formators to deal with problems and to delve into the personal history of these young men on their path to the priesthood and to missionary commitment without borders".
Calavi, a suburb of the large city of Cotonou in the south of the country, has a tropical climate. "The Anopheles mosquitoes, the vectors of the malaria pathogen, are widespread here; I try to fight them with mosquito nets and mosquito spray. The water is not drinkable, so you have to filter it or boil it," the missionary concluded. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 16/5/2024)
