Br Jerome N?Sanda
It was on Saturday 14th December 2013 that Brother Jerome N’Sanda Otchinga made his final profession. The ceremony was graced by his Lordship Theophile Kaboy, Bishop of Goma Diocese. It took place in Saint Joseph Parish of Bobandana. The Eucharistic celebration was vibrantly and cheerfully animated by the choir known as “Les Petits Chanteurs”, which was under Brother Jerome’s pastoral care. The participants were: the Bobandana students, staff members, the parents of Brothers coming from this area, Br Jerome’s Parents and relatives, Brothers from Nyangezi, Bobandana, Kisangani, Mururu, Nyakato and MIC communities.
The Bishop started his sermon by thanking God for the gift of Br Jerome to the Church. He challenged the youth in these words: “work up all and be the light to others in this war tone zone following the example of Br Jerome”. He also reminded all the faithful present in the ceremony of the fact that in this area(Goma and its surrounding) people are desperately thirsting and hungering to see God’s face and love after a long period of war and conflict. The Pastor of Goma Diocese ended his homely by thanking Br Jerome for his self and total gift to the Lord; his parents for the sacrifice of their beloved son and our Congregation for the apostolate that it is doing amidst youngsters of this area.
After the prelate’s homely, it was Br provincial’s turn to receive Br Jerome’s vows on behalf of the General superior. He respectively extended his vote of thanks to the bishop for his availability, the congregation of the faithful for their active participation and prayers for our finally professed Brother and to the Marist Brothers for having accompanied Br Jerome until this far. On the other hand, he briefly
reminded Br Jerome of his achievements and the relevance of his consecrated life today by illustrating the practical aspect of each of the three vows. He invited the finally professed brother to remain a Brother to all. Brother Valentin invited the youth to offer themselves to the Lord in the following words: “Jesus is the only Patron who engages everybody. There is no congregation that does not need candidates. Go beyond being active members of apostolic movements and offer yourselves to the Lord as Priests or Religious.”
Next, was Brother Jerome’s father’s speech. He expressed his gratitude to the Lord, the Marist Brothers for having accompanied his son until this far and the entire congregation of the faithful. Professor N’Sanda reminded his son of the fact that joining brotherhood was his free and personal decision. He therefore urged him to remain faithful to his personal decision and to the vows he had just finally professed. It is worthwhile to note that Br Jerome’s final profession is the last this year in PACE and comes after that of Br Gaston Nzasabimfura, Robert Benimana and Thomas Omari, respectively.
Last but not the least, Br Jerome didn’t say anything more than thanking God and the entire congregation of the faithful through singing and dancing in company of youngsters whom he trained himself.
The day ended on an entertaining and happy note. There was dancing and singing in both local (kihunde) and national (Lingala) languages.
What a happy and inspiring day it was!
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Br Fabien Bulaimu Poyo, fms