On February 17, 2018, the Franciscan family, composed of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary, the Friars Minor, the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, their Associates and friends, and other adherents of the Franciscan spirituality, made a pilgrimage on the first Saturday of Lent. The pilgrimage consisted of a walk to the small village of Ngasobile, with the theme: "Welcoming the Other". One hundred people responded to this call – and lived it intensely.

Our journey began on the bus with a prayer and a meditation on the rosary, made more lively with song. At a certain point, we got off the bus to walk and pray. At a specified meeting point, each community presented a symbol it had prepared in advance. Our holy pilgrimage was structured in four stages, each of which involved a meditation on the painful mysteries of Christ, accompanied by symbols:

First symbol: the globe. Proposed by the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary to symbolize our universality and unity of the lived experience of the Gospel.

Second symbol: the crown made of intertwined hands. Proposed by the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor to indicate our interdependence, our communion, our solidarity and brotherhood.

Third symbol: the Crucifix of San Damiano. Proposed by the Franciscan Friars Minor, a symbol of our unanimity in giving a predominant place to the poor, merciful and redeeming Christ in our lives.

When we arrived at our destination, the director of the seminar welcomed us warmly and told us the story of the place. Then, Friar Vincent spoke to us about the theme: Welcoming the Other, which was inspired by the words of Pope Francis. Then there was a moment of silent adoration and personal prayer as we approached the sacrament of reconciliation. At noon we celebrated the Eucharist, animated by the strong presence of young people.
We moved from the table of the Lord to the table of our agape, sharing the food we had brought.

At the end of the meal, we went to the crossroad to focus together on the chosen theme.
In revisiting our life in relation ‘Laudato si,’ we recalled how ecology affects our people even before  affecting the whole community of life. For us, working to protect the environment requires promoting the dignity of the men and women who are in search of God and of the meaning of their existence. St. Francis words inspired us: "Open a welcoming and available space so that all minors of your time can enter your life". Similarly, Pope Francis, gave us the words "Converting - Accepting - Protecting - Promoting - Integrating" and inviting us to become instruments of Peace.

Different groups made different resolutions, the most common were:

• Taking the initiative to go toward the poor  
• Planting trees in the Arab-French schools or elsewhere and taking care of them,
• Focusing our efforts on raising  awareness of the waste of water, energy and food, on migration, environmental protection and peace promotion
• Engaging in a pilgrimage without using plastic bags
• Taking care of our holy objects

At the end of the day, we selected a common commitment to focus on from now until our next pilgrimage, specifically: Planting trees and taking care of them with all our heart.  The rains are decreasing from year to year in Senegal, with all the consequences involved, including a growing area of desert.

Sr Anne Claire, Sr PétronillaThe following are comments made by participants:

    “I loved the ‘family’ and pious environment created by the group. Also, the sharing at the crossroad on our concrete experiences of ‘Laudato si.’ They showed me the beauty of the Franciscan family.”   Friar Ivan ofm.

    “I feel I have been called to action instead of standing there watching or judging others in the fight for environmental protection. Like St. Francis, I want to learn how to live humbly by accepting criticism.”   Vincent Coly.

    “At the boarding school where I teach, before classes, I clean the courtyard with my students. This is my way of contributing to our environment, of living the ‘Laudato si.’ Many others have started to do the same in the surrounding area. Furthermore, in my parish, we created a group called ‘the friends of nature,’ which committed to plant and care for trees -- and it is actually working.” Mr Tine.

    “With the primary school students, we sort garbage cans, recycle materials, dig into places where water stagnates and use wastewater as fertilizer. This is our way of promoting the Franciscan spirit.”  Sister Jacqueline Compaore.

Sister Jacqueline Compaoré, SFP, for the group

Published: May 7, 2018