(Raphael Besigrinee)

Initial life in family

I grew up in a rural setting in a nuclear family that was simple, poor and very caring. All family members were considered equal when it came to meal time and when there was anything material to be shared. It was even more interesting when a visitor was present. She/he was treated exceptionally. Interestingly, strangers were treated with special care. They were not to be denied any food or anything they asked for, only if it was within the ability of the family to provide. We were told that Jesus could appear in disguise, and denying him anything could spell disaster, not only for the individual encountered but the entire family.

The opportunity to pursue formal education in my family was both a blessing and a privilege. As the 8th sibling of nine growing up in a society that did not yet see any value in formal education, I could only be considered lucky to have the opportunity to attend school. Among my five sisters and two brothers, only one of my sisters and I completed school.

Life in the basic school was a bit different from the caring environment of the family. It was a different world altogether. We were given lashes of the cane any time we reported late to school. Refusal to do any school assignment was met with the wrath of the  cane. Some teachers even wielded the cane in the classroom, and actually used it on those who performed poorly in class work.  It was a scary world. For me, there was only one thing that made school life attractive: a non-threatening environment, and it happened at that time that only one teacher provided this - Bro. Denis Dery, FIC who happened to be sent to our village to teach us in class five in 1975. Then I was at by best. School life turned pleasant, and I could freely use my gifts, especially telling stories. In Ghana, storytelling is a beautiful tradition. In the evening, as the people gather after meals, storytelling is a favourite way of passing the time. It turned out that I was very good at it. At school, and also at home I could tell stories in a captivating way.

At that time, basic needs of the family was the priority, but not learning to read and write.  My sister and I were allowed to attend school as long as, after lessons, we contributed our quota  in the farm. The most striking experience happened during this period when I did not attend school for two days due to the overwhelming nature of the farm work. Bro. Denis came to the family house to find out why I was absent in school. This experience changed my life. His great interest and support gave me a warm and beautiful feeling, and I told myself that if there was ever a path through which I could become like this man, I would pursue it. This was the beginning of my dream of becoming a brother.

My vocation story

We are told in the scriptures that Saul was called all of a sudden to be an apostle. For the vocation to Religious Life it doesn’t work that way in reality. A vocation, the search for a goal in your life, happens gradually most of the times. In 1979, the opportunity to attend High school came. I was privileged to be given admission in the FIC Brothers school at Nandom. I had  another  striking encounter with the brothers I met at the secondary school. They worked hard, were systematic in their teaching,  and also proved to be nice persons. I wanted to be one of them, but all this time my interest remained  personal; I did not tell anybody as yet. The opportunity came in 1981 when a vocation day was organised in the school. A number of brothers came to talk to the students who had gathered for this special forum. At the end, the brothers gave us the opportunity to affirm our interest by writing our applications. This was the beginning of my vocational exchange with the brothers.

In 1984, I went to the teacher training college and later got a job as a teacher in a small school in the neighbourhood of Fielmuo. In the meantime I attended the encounters for FIC aspirants, and by 1989 I had made up my mind to start the postulancy in St. Louis Formation Centre, Wa. My father had died by this time, and I communicated my intention to my mother and our eldest brother. They gave me their blessing.

Apostolate

After my first profession in 1992, I was sent to teach in St. Joseph Junior Secondary School in Tamale. As a brother-teacher in a catholic school, I found it necessary to ensure that the identity of the school was maintained. Therefore what we all consider as the centre of our Christian life found a centre stage in the school. We had a Eucharistic celebration every school term as far as it was possible. To make every teacher feel part of the school and also to maintain unity among the teachers, I designed a Morning Prayer formula which the teachers (Christians and non-Christians alike) followed every morning. I developed the habit of giving the children a moral talk every Monday morning during our usual morning assembly. I loved my teaching apostolate and often tried to reciprocate the love and concern I received myself as a youth. 

Formation work

One day my provincial superior asked me if I would be willing to do the formation course in preparation for work in formation. I was surprised, but I felt it would not be good to disappoint him, so I told him I would think about it.   After he asked three times, I decided to agree, adding "if it is the will of God". Here, my vow of obedience was put to the test, and then I began to feel the difference between a lay person and a Religious: the decision about the course of my life is not an individual affair!  My intention was to acquire some good basic knowledge in Theology before pursuing the formation course, but my superior felt differently. In fact he wanted an immediate execution of the task at hand. The idea was not to my liking. Nevertheless, I agreed to do the formation course at St. Louis University in USA for one year. After my final profession in 2000, my new provincial superior invited me for a discussion, and we decided that I should do additional courses in theology and education, and the ideal place was Tangaza College in Nairobi, Kenya.

Immediately after my studies in 2004, my provincial asked me to be director of novices. I considered it a 'mission' given to me. Reflecting on the request I began seeing  it as a grace that I was given the opportunity to perform this task for my province. My experience as a novice director has been a dual blessing. I saw my role as director a privileged position because it allowed me to enter into the sacred lives of others, and this I experienced as genuinely personal formation. ‘Do I give them  a good example? Do I myself live the FIC life the way I tell them?’, I asked myself.  In addition, the novitiate house provided a special setting for the experience of genuine community life. The other main advantage of working as a novice director was the fulfillment I experienced in the task. I realized each moment that the ability to live out my commitment in a more fulfilling way was through the grace of God. It was quite fulfilling to see candidates passing through me and becoming brothers.

Member of general council

I knew I was not to be in formation work permanently, and so when in 2009 we had no novices, my provincial asked me to consider two options: sabbatical or studies. Still feeling quite energetic, I opted for further studies. I felt that doing Guidance and Counselling would further enhance my formative skills to enable me work effectively among young people, therefore off I went to the University of Cape Coast to pursue this program. While doing this, I  was still helping in the Aspirancy, and here I experienced my greatest frustration. With improvement in workers' conditions of service and more opportunities opened for young people to   enter middle class jobs, vocations promotion yielded very little fruits. Life in general in Ghana had improved and Religious Life did not seem attractive anymore to many young people.

Being part of the FIC General Council was never in my dream, neither was it an option when I was elected delegate to the General Chapter 2012. I was preoccupied with issues about Ghana and the provincial chapter. Moreover, I was bent on finishing my studies. I even felt the chapter was an interruption. As we began the election process at the general chapter, I was very surprised that my name was frequently mentioned. I have experienced elections during chapters as times of anxiety; I also believe in the spirit's influence during any chapter process. This was no different. I went into a deeper reflection, and soon discovered that the brothers wanted me to serve in the General Council. Resistance gave way to acceptance. I felt I had to accept the working of the Holy Spirit in my fellow brothers. I got the inspiration that I didn’t have to perform the task of councillor all alone, and I also felt supported by the great trust the brothers offered me.

I feel quite fulfilled that I was given the opportunity to serve my fellow brothers in Ghana. Currently as a GC member, it gives me the opportunity to think further than my home country Ghana. I am learning to think globally and that truly enriches me. I am also grateful to God for the wonders He has worked in my life all these past years. I have always felt the hand of God at work in my life, especially in whatever I was assigned to do.  Interestingly, never for once have I been able to convince myself that I would be able to serve in a leadership position in the congregation, because I have never felt I could be a leader at all. I still feel the same but now I believe that the grace of God truly works in me, and that without this power of the spirit of God, human efforts alone are inadequate.