- Brother Antoine, could you introduce yourself briefly?

- Brother Antoine (BA): I am an Assumptionist, born in Alsatia (France), from a peasant family that was deeply Catholic. I made my first vows in 1955. As a young religious I pursued a dream of becoming a missionary --- first in Ivory Coast and then in Madagascar.

-  You were a missionary in Madagascar for 30 years and here you are again a missionary, this time in Burkina Faso. What keeps you going?

- BA: What a question! Let’s be clear. Assumption is a large family of religious present in many countries and involved in many experiences. From the beginning, the idea of mission was important to Fr. d’Alzon, our founder. Today, in West Africa, Assumption is offering young men an opportunity to join us and receive a formation in our charism. Fr. Jean-Paul Sagadou has attracted many young people in Togo and now in Burkina Faso. I am here to offer a helping hand in the short time that my age allows.

-  You’ve now been here for a year? What are you feeling?

- BA: I’m still learning.  At the moment it would be hard to say anything. My experience is limited to the local market-place, to the cathedral nearby in our neighborhood, to the numerous mosques, to the many active Christian base communities. I am busy from early morning to late at night. One thing I can say --- I have been warmly received!

-  You have come to a community that has just been founded; do you have a sense that things are well underway?

- BA: I can see that the young religious here in Ougadougou have received a good formation during their novitiate. The community life is solid. The life of prayer, meals, daily chores, etc ---- everything seems to be well organized. The workday here begins very early since students in the community must get to classes. That means breakfast and community prayer before they leave.

- What do you see as your role in the community? Are you happy?

- BA: I have to admit that I don’t talk about my feelings easily. We’re just getting a new foundation off the ground. We will have to look for a piece of land and begin building a new house in the near future. I suppose my long years in construction work could come in handy. As to whether I am happy or not, I would say that I am happy to contribute whatever I can to make this new foundation a success.

- They say that Burkina Faso is hot. Have you managed to handle the heat so far?

- BA: It’s true that it’s very hot here. The fans come in handy!!! The heat and the red-colored dust penetrate everything. Scooters and motorbikes are everywhere, probably because there is no public transportation. Still, adapting to this climate is really quite feasible. Others have already done it.

-  You are in a formation community. What’s your impression of the young people with whom you live? What is your hope for the Assumption of tomorrow?

- BA:  I am just getting to know these young men who are doing their studies with the White Fathers. Most of them are between 26 and 30 and many of them already have advanced degrees in various areas. They are beginning their religious life, learning how to live internationality and getting involved in the local church here in Ouaga. The hope is that the Assumption might be present throughout West Africa where the church needs trained religious who are bold, generous, and selfless, true sons of Fr. d’Alzon.

-  Would you have a final word to say?

- BA: A new foundation always has unknowns. The Province of France has entrusted this mission to Fr. Jean-Jaul Sagadou. I would like to thank him for his generosity and enthusiasm and all the others with whom I am living here in Ouaga. I have been extremely touched by the welcome they have given to me, their elder brother, and I hope I can meet the expectations they have of me.