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Lenten News
Memento Mori
Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest
Mission of Saint Therese in Mouila
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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.
Make your Lenten almsgiving count. Give the gift of education and “Adopt a Student,” supporting a student financially on a monthly or annual basis. One-time pledges are also always welcome! Make a difference in a child's life!
Lenten News
Memento Mor
Solemn procession on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Dear Friends,
At a time when the Church is preparing her children to be united to her divine Spouse in the silence of the desert, let us take advantage of this Lenten season to reread our dear Patron Saint, Saint Therese of Lisieux:
"I thought that I had been born for glory, and looking for the means to achieve it, God inspired me with the sentiments I have just written. He made me understand that my own glory would not appear to mortal eyes, that it would consist in becoming a great Saint!...”
Let us reclaim in our hearts this beautiful reality, which is the price of the imperishable Crown of which the Apostle Paul speaks. The missionary soul must become aware of the value of this beautiful crown in order to invite everyone to join the race of Heaven and communicate this desire for Heaven. Saint Therese continues:
“...This desire might seem rash when one considers how weak and imperfect I was, and how weak and imperfect I still am after seven years in religion...”
Canon Alexis Rouquayrol on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Who does not tremble before their own limit? Lent puts us back in front of our inconstancy or our littleness... but also before the power of our Jesus! Saint Therese continues:
“… yet I still feel the same bold confidence in becoming a great Saint, for I do not count on my own merits, having none, but I hope in Him who is Virtue, Holiness Itself, it is He alone...”
HE ALONE. The desire to isolate oneself for a little in order to find oneself with Jesus in a silent tête-à-tête, in the experience of a silent intimacy, that of praying.
Saint Therese invites us to redouble our efforts and not to be afraid to enter our Lent with a valiant heart! She continues:
“…[God] will raise me up to Him and, covering me with His infinite merits, will make me a Saint.”
Let us not look for self-contentment, challenges against nature, or a way to shine in the eyes of the world. Holiness—this is what we will seek to discover in our souls.
The Mission is preparing to accompany the catechumens in the final stretch for their baptism, and the children of the school are giving the best of themselves because the school year is now well advanced. Let us unite our efforts and prayers during this holy quarantine!
The Mission's maintenance work is intensifying. The conditions are difficult because of the heat and humidity, and the materials wear out very quickly. Pipes, pontoons, bell towers, and paintings—we count on you to help us keep our Mission beautiful!
Wishing you a blessed and holy Lent, with the assurance of our prayers.
Canon Alexis Rouquayrol, Rector of the Saint Therese Mission
Mission staff and students enjoying a new truck, which was generously made possible through donor support
Meet the Louvettes
Many students participate in the Louvettes (literally "female wolf cubs," a general term for French Girl Scouts). Each school year begins with an announcement of the Louvettes' reopening. Girls seven and older can join with parental permission. The Louvettes meet about twenty times each month. Older girls (ages 12-17) serve as mentors, called Guides. The monthly meetings commence with Sunday Mass, and then lunch and activities follow. Typically the girls are divided into six teams and compete at obstacle courses, speed games, and similar activities. Like other scouting groups, these events are designed to promote virtue and attributes such as teamwork, and leadership. The program concludes with a two-week summer camp at the end of the school year. Volunteers Gemma Saathof (United States), Maïlys Barberousse (France), and Philippine Larbodie (France) play a very active role with the Louvettes.  Louvettes pose with Mission volunteers  Volunteer Gemma with the girls at swim class |  Fun and games    …and even more fun and games!  Choir practice |
Christmastide at the Mission
Christmas Midnight Mass at the Mission
 Blessing of the Nativity Manger  Veneration of the Infant  Our pupil, Adrien, enjoying the Christmas festivities with Canon Rouquayrol  Canon Perucchini offers a Solemn First Mass on the Feast of the Circumcision |  Merry Christmas!  Mass on the Feast of the Epiphany  Blessing of Epiphany water  Epiphany house blessing  Feast of the Holy Family |
School and Leisure
Parishioners from volunteer Gemma Saathof’s parish, Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia, Missouri (USA), sent school supplies, cards, and treats to the children at the Mission.  Students being students  Students at recreation  Adventures on the river |  Volunteer Gemma with the girls in class  Gifts from Missouri  …too much fun… |
Feast Days at the Mission
The school year at St. Francis de Sales is punctuated by feast days.
 Solemn High Mass for the Feast of St. Francis de Sales  Proclamation of the Gospel on the Feast of St. Francis de Sales  Mass for the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, attended by the Governor and the Mayor of Mouila |  Procession for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes  Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes  Recitation of devotions in front of a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes |
The Oliver Family Visits the Mission
The Oliver Family, residents of Cape Cod, attend Mass at Sacred Heart Chapel in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts (USA). Ben and Jeannie Oliver have eight children: Nate (18), Janice (16), Philip (15), William (13), George (11), Edith (8), Augustine (5), and Margaret (2). As a family, the Olivers have been drawn toward mission work to better serve God’s people. Having a great love for the Latin Mass they sought out opportunities to serve where there were missions with the Latin Mass. After a series of emails to various missions, they heard back from Canon Alexis Rouquayrol last September with the Institute of Christ the King in Mouila, Gabon. Canon Alexis was very welcoming and open to the idea of receiving a family with young children and so, after much discernment, they began preparing for a mission trip to Africa!  The Oliver Family |  Ben and Jeannie Oliver Ben is a commercial pilot for JetBlue with prior US military service. He also has experience with carpentry, electrical, and some farming. Jeannie is an at-home mother and homeschools most of her children. Jeannie and Janice are both adept with the sewing machine as well as other domestic arts. Nate, the oldest child is currently attending a trade school for machining and will not be traveling to Gabon. The Olivers will be helping at the Mission for about two months; they will arrive at the beginning of April. Ben and the older boys will likely do a building project which they are discussing with Canon Alexis. Jeannie, Janice, and the younger children will be able to assist wherever they are most needed… possibly with teaching sewing, cooking, baking, or English. |
Joyful Memories from a Missionary in Africa by Canon Fragelli
To read a firsthand account of a priest's experience at the Mouila Mission, consider purchasing a copy of Joyful Memories from a Missionary in Africa by Canon Henrique Fragelli. The book documents his life’s work at the mission and was written by him 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.
