Temporary Professed Brothers Weekend Session

Wa, May 2025

The Temporary Professed Brothers (TPBs), numbering eleven (11), arrived with their Director at the St. Louis Community for one of their weekend encounters scheduled from 9 – 10 May 2025. Following supper at the In-Service Training Centre (ISTC), the group proceeded to the St. Louis Community Chapel for the opening prayer service, led by some of the participants. The theme was “My Vocation: A Gift for Mission”.

The official opening took place at 8:00 p.m. in the St. Louis Community Conference Hall. The newly appointed Director of Ongoing Formation, Bro. Aloysius Porekuu, warmly welcomed all the Temporary Professed Brothers (TPBs). He encouraged full participation in the weekend program, emphasizing the spiritual benefits it would offer them.

We were honoured by the presence of our Provincial Superior, Bro. Clement Naapire, whose encouraging words deeply resonated with the group. In his address, he reminded the brothers of the importance of taking ongoing formation seriously. He emphasized that spiritual growth is a lifelong commitment, urging everyone to prioritize community accompaniment, spiritual direction, and other spiritual practices.

Furthermore, he assured us of the Provincial Council’s support in our growth and development while also cautioning those living contrary to what we believe. He said the Council would not hesitate to take action against any brother living contrary to our way of life.

On 10th May 2025, we dedicated one of the sessions to sharing our joys and challenges encountered in community life.

Among the joyful experiences were the unity among community members and the overall supportiveness of our community life. This was followed by a talk delivered by Bro Didas Toogumo on the theme “My Vocation: A Gift for Mission.” To facilitate our understanding, the topic was broken down into three key elements: vocation, gift, and mission.

Br. Didas explained the terms as follows: Vocation is God’s call to live a life of love and service. A gift is something freely given, often with a purpose. Our mission as religious brothers is to bear witness to the life of Christ through our words and actions. He concluded that our vocation calls us to fully dedicate ourselves to proclaiming the Good News, living in community, praying together, and serving others selflessly. This was immediately followed by a Q&A session, during which participants sought clarifications and contributed valuable insights.

In the final session, dedicated to sharing impressions, the TPBs expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to gather in fellowship and engage in spiritual reflection. The session provided a valuable platform to share experiences from our respective communities, fostering mutual understanding and renewal in our vocation. The group discussion session allowed us to explore specific questions and later share our insights during a plenary session, which proved particularly enriching.

Bro. Elijah Abugri