2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the First Foundation of a Visitation Monastery on the continent of Africa, in Loango, Repubic of the Congo.
French Visitation Nuns brought the charism of St Francis de Sales to Africa and since then, many Congolese Sisters as well as women of Burundi and Rwanda, have joined the Order and established Monasteries of the Visitation, eight thus far in these 50 years.
Last year we shared the news about a new book telling the story of the first foundations, http://visitationspirit.org/2012/11/new-book-on-the-visitation-nuns-in-africa/ written in French, and now we can share early highlights of the Lord’s work among His people through the Visitation foundations in Africa.
The first Monastery in Africa, in Loango, the Congo was the result of a meeting between a Bishop and the Visitandine Federation President of France North. For a long time, Bishop John Baptist Fauret, Bishop of Pointe-Noire, desired to install a monastery of nuns next to the small seminary of Loango. On her side, Mother Marie Madeleine Ungeschekt , superior of the Visitation of Macon, desired a foundation in Africa.
The fruit of these desires was the birth of the Visitation of Loango, within the Diocese of Pointe Noire, with a very precise purpose, that the nuns of the Monastery would pray for vocations for future Congolese priests to be formed in the little seminary of Loango, too few at that time, with the hope of impacting the entire Diocese.
Beginning History of The First Foundation
The Monastery John XXlll at Loango
The Foundresses Preparation for departure
The man who had the most missionary experience, Bishop Jean Baptiste Fauret was opposed to a new foundation of a Monastery that had only four Sisters. He knew the difficulties of such a foundation, especially the impact on the health of people coming from France. He demanded more Sisters. Mother Marie Madeleine announced then to the Superior of the Visitation of Ornans that if Sr Claude- Agnes Folley did not go, the foundation of Loanga would not take place. Then Ornans gave their assent and thus the will of God was well signified.
From June 4 to July 4 1964 the future foundresses met in Macon Monastery with the Federation President, Mother Marie Madeleine, to get to know each other and prepare the habits and other things that would be necessary in the Congo.
They were: Sister Margaret Marie Praud (Vouvant)
Sister Frances-Marie Liebaert (Meaux)
Sister Marie-Therese Bailly (Bourg- en Bresse)
Srister Claude Agnes Folley (Ornans)
Sister Marie-Michelle Hazart (Hermonville)
A religious specialist from the Missions of Africa came to give them information about the country and customs of Africans. During this month of meeting, they made a pilgrimage to Paray le Monial where the Sisters of the Visitation there, lavished much kindness. They stopped at Taize where Brother Roger chatted with them and recounted the history of the foundation of this celebrated community.Another pilgrimage to Annecy put the future foundation under the protection of the Holy Founders with a warm welcome of the Sisters of the Holy Source.
Bishop Sauvage presided at the Mass of their being sent on the Mission.
Then, they returned to their respective monasteries, intending to depart on Oct 2, 1964. Sr Claude Agnes would join them a little later, to permit her to get her health in better shape and to finish her health course organized by the Red Cross of Pontarlier. Around Sept 20 1964, they would meet in Macon for the final preparations, with much luggage and also for a ceremony at the parish church. The Mass was presided by Bishop Hermyl, auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Autun. At the end of Sept, they were received by the Sisters of the first Monastery of Marseilles, overflowing with charity and little attentions for the brave missionaries. Then On Oct 2, 1964, first Thursday of the month, they embarked on the ship Jean Mermoz.
As the boat did not leave port until the nightfall, until the morning they stayed a longtime contemplating Our Lady de la Garde , all luminous in the darkness.During the Mass, they were given a telegram, from Rome, with the benediction of the Holy Father. The journey had begun well!In the afternoon they also received telegrams from Annecy and Paris.
The sea journey was adventurous with contemplative moments, and eventually the First Monastery of the Visitation was founded when the Sisters arrived in the Congo.
Years later in 1986 the Monastery of Loudima was also established and this community celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2011.
Please continue to pray that funds are available to house Sisters and build the many Monasteries still lacking for the overwhelming number of monastic vocations on the continent of Africa.
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