- ICRSP Mission Ste Thérèse à Mouila
- Posts
- Advent News
Advent News
Veni Emmanuel!
Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest
Mission of Saint Therese in Mouila
Support the Missions
At the heart of Mouila, Gabon, Saint Francis De Sales School is transforming lives, one student at a time. Your sponsorship can help a young learner receive an education, hope, and a brighter future.
Need a Christmas gift for that loved one who has everything? Give the gift of education and “Adopt a Student” in their name, supporting a student financially on a monthly or annual basis. One-time pledges are also always welcome! Make a difference in the life of a child!
Advent News
Veni Emmanuel!
Students pose outside the Mission
Dear Friends,
"I went to war with myself in the spiritual realm, through self-denial and small, hidden sacrifices; I found peace and humility in this obscure battle where nature has no hold." As we prepare to take up good resolutions to start this new liturgical year, our dear Patroness places before us the essential: He is coming. VENI, come!
While the world is going through great upheavals and the turmoil of great struggles, we in our little mission on the banks of the Ngounié River have the privilege of being more easily focused on the innermost meaning of Advent: that of the coming of the Savior in the depths of each of us. In this, St. Therese of the Child Jesus reminds us of the importance for each of us of our spiritual combat, that of the value of our small sacrifices, and our efforts to make peace and humility triumph.
Canon Alexis Rouquayrol and Seth
We have begun a new year with new hopes.
A new tenth-grade class opened with fifteen students. Some are new to the school, others have already participated in classes. The age of adolescence can be decisive; it is the age of the greatest illusions or disillusionment. The weekly contact of Mass and the daily contact of prayer bear fruit. Two girls in this class are asking to be baptized, and others are wondering.
Another hope: this year we started the boarding school. The number of students has doubled to twenty! The boys give us work, but also a lot of joy when we see them learning to serve Mass! The grandchildren always have the best smiles. This year, we have a new class for three-year-olds. Let's pray they keep their innocence.
We need your help to support around twenty children from families in difficulty. We're counting on you and your prayers to help us continue to grow! There is also a lot of work involved in maintaining the buildings, the pontoon, and the cars. Thank you for your support!
Advent is a time of preparation for meeting a Child. He who was carried in Mary's womb carries everything. Let us seek to discover him present in our daily lives, and draw inspiration from St. Therese, so that when Christmas comes, the Infant King will bring us the peace and humility so necessary for our hearts and our families.
God bless you all!
Canon Alexis Rouquayrol, Rector of the Saint Therese Mission
Updates from the Missions
The Institute of Christ the King was brought forth from the jungles of Gabon. Today, Mouila, Gabon is home to the vibrant Mission St. Therese of the Child Jesus, and thriving St. Francis de Sales school. Read more about the Institute in Gabon here. The school calendar at St. Francis de Sales revolves around the feasts of the ecclesiastical calendar year. The students celebrate with feast day Mass and other celebrations.
 Students attend morning prayer each day  Mass on the Feast of Saint Michael  Blessing the graves of local priests buried at the site of the Mission on  Canon Bergerot visits the new boarding school  Students from the boarding school visit their cook’s village  Canon Rouquayrol cuts the Thanksgiving turkey |  Students attend daily Mass  Smiles on the  Mass on the Feast of Christ the King  Procession on All Souls’ Day  Volunteer Gemma prepares the Thanksgiving feast  Thanksgiving Day in Mouila |
New Volunteers
New volunteers Gemma, Maïlys, and Philippine pose with Canon Rouquayrol upon arriving in Gabon
New volunteers arrived in Gabon to assist at the mission this fall.
Upon arrival, Gemma Saathof (United States), a nurse, learned that the medical clinic is currently not in operation, and they are looking for a new doctor. She writes "for now there’s not much nursing work I can do. Instead, I’ll be teaching English to primary school students. Currently, I assist the other English teachers in their classes, help with tutoring some of the girls in English, help with the daycare, sing in the choir, and occasionally play the piano (“organ”) at Mass.”
Maïlys Barberousse (France) helps supervise the students, assists with tutoring in all the classes, sings and helps direct the choir, and is in charge of the Luvettes (the Girl Scouts).
Philippine Larbodie (also France) helps supervise the students, assists with tutoring and is also with the Luvettes with Maïlys.
All of the volunteers help with miscellaneous things that Canon might need help with around the Mission. They often help guide the group rosary or spend time with different groups of children apart from school hours, particularly one group of girls (called “The Bambinettes”) with some troubled family situations.
The new volunteers pose with some of the students
Fifteen Years as a Priest
Canon Alexis Rouquayrol, Rector of the Mission, celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of his priestly ordination on September 29. The occasion was celebrated by the whole priestly community of Mouila with solemn vespers of thanksgiving and much merrymaking. Canon Rouquayrol recently spoke to Religión en Libertad about the Institute’s work in Gabon, the challenges faced by missionaries there, and the positive influence of the traditional mass. Read more about Canon’s interview here (only in Spanish). |  Canon Rouquayrol during his priestly ordination on 29th September 2009, the Feast of the Dedication of Saint Michael the Archangel  Celebration of his 15th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination with the priests of Mouila |
Give the Gift of Canon Fragelli’s
Book this Advent Season!
For meaningful gift-giving this Advent season, consider purchasing a copy of Joyful Memories from a Missionary in Africa, the book that documents the life’s work of the late Canon Henrique Fragelli that he himself wrote from his hospital bed.
Prayer to St. Therese for Missionaries
Click the Saint Therese picture to download the prayer card!
Saint Therese of the Child Jesus
Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, thou who hast been rightly proclaimed the patroness of Catholic missions throughout the world, remember the burning desire which thou manifested here on earth to plant the cross of Christ on every shore and to preach the Gospel even until the end of the world. We ask thee, according to thy promise, to assist all priests and missionaries, especially the missionaries of the Institute of Christ the King, and the whole Church of God. Amen.
