On August 20, 2016, in the church of  Our Lady of the Assumption in Sokode, Togo, six novices made their first vows in the presence of Fr. Vincent Cabanac, A.A., assistant provincial and provincial treasurer:

Armel Yoni DAKISWENDE (Burkina Faso)
Bernardin KANTCHIRE (Togo)
David BINIDI (Togo)
Honoré WINIGA (Togo)
Valère KOUWAMA (Togo)
Jovic KOUEPOU KOUEPOU (Cameroon)

Several weeks earlier six postulants had been accepted to begin their novitiate: Dominic MBAEZE (Nigeria); Augustin YAMBA Christian AZIAMALE, Noël TOMFEI, Pascal GABIAM (Togo); Rodrigue OUEDRAOGO (Burkina Faso).

In the upcoming weeks, after their vacations, the newly professed will recommence formal studies either in philosophy or theology. The new class of novices, on the other hand, has already begun with an opening retreat and a week of orientation. To follow will be a seminar at the internovitiate on getting to know oneself and a week with others of the Assumption Family in formation focusing on the theme, "Taking responsibility for the building of fraternity: Assumptionist religious life in international and intercultural communities."

The rainy season has begun; fierce storms have battered our roads and left them impassable at times. One recent storm was so bad that it severely damaged the diocesan radio station that we are in charge of. It has been reduced to silence and will require considerable repairs if it is to get back on its feet.

There you have a brief sketch of what is happening in our neck of the woods.

Fr. Benoît Bigard, A.A.