From 19 to 24 July 2026, the Brothers from this part of the Province of Our Lady of Loreto and Saint Anne, in Burkina Faso, held their annual retreat with the central theme: ‘Returning to the essentials of fraternity, hope and mission in a changing world’. On the afternoon of the 25th, during the celebration of the Eucharist, some Brothers renewed their temporary vows and two postulants made their official entry into the Novitiate. Brother David Rasero offered a few words of congratulations and encouraged the Brothers to ensure that each one becomes a vocational animator.
However, the main day was the 26th, the feast of Saint Anne, patron saint of this African part of the Province. Almost all the Brothers living in Africa – some 80 in total – were present to celebrate this feast and, this year, to accompany Brother Arsène Kerè as he made his perpetual profession.
The highlight was the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Monsignor David KOUDOUGOU, Bishop of Tenkodogo. The hymns, which had been carefully prepared, were performed by the aspirants, the Brothers and other groups. Before the assembly, Brother Arsène Keré gave his ‘yes’ to the Lord for ever. Brother Víctor Sawadogo, the Provincial, received the vows and publicly affirmed the Brother’s permanent membership of the Congregation. The traditional dance was also performed to express the joy of the occasion.
At the end of the Eucharist, Brother Arsène himself addressed those present, as did Brother David Rasero, Vicar General, and the Provincial, Brother Victor, who congratulated Brother Arsène and thanked the Brothers, family members, men and women religious, and members of the Sa-Fa Family for their presence. All those present took part in the family meal hosted by the Brothers.
