The 4th Year of Post-Novitiate

The brothers in the fourth year of Post-Novitiate, gathered in St. Francis of Assisi’s Friary Bambui, under the umbrella of Br. Martin Dikwa, the brother in charge of this stage of formation, for their second session of Post-Novitiate, i.e., from Sunday, 12th February to Saturday, 18th February 2023. It saw the participation of all the six brothers in the fourth year of experience in the life after the Novitiate. The brothers in this stage of formation are: Br. Romaric Koumetio, Br. Jude Thaddeus Fonsi, Br. Boris Berinyuy, Br. Andrew Ndzewiyi, Br. Bill Collins Formonyuy and Br. William Kongnyuy. These brothers make their experience of the life  in the fraternities of Sop, Mbohtong and Bayong.

Primordially, their second encounter of formation had as objective: To lead the brothers into a living relationship with Christ, to be more conformed to Him and to find their identity in Him (Const. No 32, 3). This explains why the formative session was animated by different presentations and discussions on topics inspired from the reality of religious life in today’s society. It was equally an opportunity of a “one-to-one” encounter with the Br. Martin Dikwa, the coordinator of the fourth year Post-Novices. What was on the menu for these six young men?

On Monday 13th February, discussions were on  human formation; friendship with persons of the opposite sex and the use of the mass media, a formative subjet matter of  our time, presented to them by Br. Divine Etimbi.

On Tuesday 14th February discussions were centered on the VIII Plenary Council of the Order: On the grace of working, handled by Br. Martin Dikwa. It was noted summarily that work is grace because it puts us in contact with ourselves, with brothers, with people, with creation, and most importantly with the creator (God).

On the third day of the session, that is on Wednesday 15th February,  the session was on the Capuchin apostolate with Br. Amos Bamenjoh as the resource person.

The presentation of the document: The gift of fidelity, the joy of perseverance of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life was the object of Thursday, 16th February. Issues treated from this document included: Gazing and listening, Enkindling awareness and separation from the Institute and Juridical norms.

On Friday, 17th February, the last day of the second session, we were graced with the presence and intervention of Br. Aloysius  Ngongbi, who drilled us on:  Christ in the Franciscan experience.

Having been nourished throughout the week with such enriching teachings, brothers, on Saturday, 18th February, returned to their fraternities to make visible in their lives what they had digested within the formative week in Bambui.

May the Holy Spirit continue to enlighten you all brothers in this process of discernment.