He became a Carmelite, and in 1245 or 1247 was elected the sixth general of the order. As a result of Simon’s work, Pope Innocent IV placed the order under the special protection of the Holy See. After this the order grew greatly, especially in England.
Entrance Antiphon : Heb 4: 16
With boldness let us approach the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace as a timely help, alleluia.
Collect
May your Spirit, O Lord, we pray, imbue us powerfully with spiritual gifts, that he may give us a mind pleasing to you and graciously conform us to your will. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Acts 22:30,23:6-11
Since the tribune wanted to know what precise charge the Jews were bringing, he freed Paul and gave orders for a meeting of the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin; then he brought Paul down and stood him in front of them. Now Paul was well aware that one section was made up of Sadducees and the other of Pharisees, so he called out in the Sanhedrin, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees. It is for our hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.’ As soon as he said this a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was split between the two parties. For the Sadducees say there is neither resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, while the Pharisees accept all three. The shouting grew louder, and some of the Scribes from the Pharisees’ party stood up and protested strongly, ‘We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?’ Feeling was running high, and the tribune, afraid that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered his troops to go down and haul him out and bring him into the fortress. Next night, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Courage! You have borne witness for me in Jerusalem, now you must do the same in Rome.’
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm15:1-2,5,7-11
R/ Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you.
Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you. I say to the Lord: ‘You are my God. O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; it is you yourself who are my prize.’
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel, who even at night directs my heart. I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.
And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my body shall rest in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay.
You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand happiness for ever.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Jn16:7,13
Alleluia, alleluia! I will send you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord; he will lead you to the complete truth. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 17:20-26
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Holy Father, I pray not only for these, but for those also who through their words will believe in me. May they all be one. Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me. I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one. With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realise that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see the glory you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Father, Righteous One, the world has not known you, but I have known you, and these have known that you have sent me. I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and so that I may be in them.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Graciously sanctify these gifts, O Lord, we pray, and, accepting the oblation of this spiritual sacrifice, make of us an eternal offering to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Jn 16: 7
I tell you the truth, it is for your good that I go; for if I do not go away, the Paraclete will not come to you, says the Lord, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
May the mysteries we have received, O Lord, we pray, enlighten us by the instruction they bring and restore us through our participation in them, that we may merit the gifts of the Spirit. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus prays for the unity of Christians. He prays that all those who believe in his message may be one, just as he and his heavenly Father are together. More than ever, we Christians need unity. We are divided into countless denominations and Churches, and we quarrel with each other and criticise each other. It is time for us to put aside our differences and focus on what unites us: our faith in the name of Jesus. Let us dialogue with each other and, with one voice, proclaim and defend the values of the Christian message in the world. Let us pray and work for the unity of all Christians.
He was born near Madrid to very poor parents. He was a labourer and later a bailiff on the estates of a landowner called Juan de Vargas. He was noted for his piety. He died on 15 May 1130.
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 46: 2
All peoples, clap your hands. Cry to God with shouts of joy, alleluia.
Collect
Graciously grant to your Church, O merciful God, that, gathered by the Holy Spirit,
she may be devoted to you with all her heart and united in purity of intent. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Acts 20:28-38
Paul addressed these words to the elders of the Church of Ephesus: ‘Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood. I know quite well that when I have gone, fierce wolves will invade you and will have no mercy on the flock. Even from your own ranks there will be men coming forward with a travesty of the truth on their lips to induce the disciples to follow them. So be on your guard, remembering how night and day for three years I never failed to keep you right, shedding tears over each one of you. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace that has power to build you up and to give you your inheritance among all the sanctified. ‘I have never asked anyone for money or clothes; you know for yourselves that the work I did earned enough to meet my needs and those of my companions. I did this to show you that this is how we must exert ourselves to support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said, “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.”’ When he had finished speaking he knelt down with them all and prayed. By now they were all in tears; they put their arms round Paul’s neck and kissed him; what saddened them most was his saying they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 67:29-30,33-36
R/ Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
Show forth, O God, show forth your might, your might, O God, which you have shown for us. For the sake of your temple high in Jerusalem may kings come to you bringing their tribute.
Kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, praise the Lord who rides on the heavens, the ancient heavens. He thunders his voice, his mighty voice. Come, acknowledge the power of God.
His glory is on Israel; his might is in the skies. God is to be feared in his holy place. He is the Lord, Israel’s God. He gives strength and power to his people. Blessed be God!
Gospel Acclamation : Mt28:19,20
Alleluia, alleluia! Go, make disciples of all the nations. I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 17:11-19
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us. While I was with them, I kept those you had given me true to your name. I have watched over them and not one is lost except the one who chose to be lost, and this was to fulfil the Scriptures. But now I am coming to you and while still in the world I say these things to share my joy with them to the full. I passed your word on to them, and the world hated them, because they belong to the world no more than I belong to the world. I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept, O Lord, we pray, the sacrifices instituted by your commands, and through the sacred mysteries, which we celebrate as our dutiful service, graciously complete the sanctifying work by which you are pleased to redeem us. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Jn 15: 26-27
When the Paraclete comes, whom I will send you, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me, and you also will bear witness, says the Lord, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
May our partaking of this divine Sacrament, O Lord, constantly increase your grace within us, and, by cleansing us with its power, make us always ready to receive so great a gift. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Jesus prays for his apostles, whom he will entrust with leading his Church. In the same way, Paul advises the elders of the Church of Ephesus, urging them to watch over the flock entrusted to their care and pray with them. The leaders of the Church have the difficult task of providing for the spiritual needs of Christians. They must teach them sound doctrine and cultivate the love of the Word of God. They have to govern them and get them to live and work together in love and unity. They have to sanctify them by giving them the sacraments. In addition, they have to show them the example of a holy life. Let us pray for them so that they may accomplish their mission faithfully.
Du 1er avril au 09 mai 2024, le TRP Henry Omonisaye, cmf a effectué une visite canonique au Cameroun. Après avoir visité toutes nos communautés et notre mission, parlé avec chaque membre de la délégation et dialogué avec certains évêques, le 6 mai 2024 a été une journée très spéciale pour notre délégation. Ce fut une journée de trois réunions très importantes
1. Rencontre avec les Supérieurs locaux et les membres du Conseil élargi
La rencontre a commencé à 8h30 par l’Adoration Eucharistique. Par la suite, le TRP Henry Omonisaye, cmf a fait écho de sa visite dans la Délégation. En passant par les trois processus de transformation, il a exposé les semences de vie et les mauvaises herbes dans la délégation. Il a remercié les frères pour leur vocation et pour les signes visibles de croissance de notre Délégation. Il les a tous encouragé à continuer à servir Dieu dans leurs différentes communautés et missions. Il a félicité la Délégation pour la croissance significative depuis la dernière visite canonique qui a eu lieu en 2017. Enfin, il a insisté sur la nécessité de réorganiser nos différentes communautés et de promouvoir « Ut Unum Sint » au sein de la Délégation.
2. Rencontre avec la Préfecture de Bible et Communication, les Cybermissionnaires, le Secrétaire et le Conseil
En sa qualité de Préfet Général de la Bible et de la Communication, le Père Henry a eu une formation avec les membres de cette préfecture. Il a expliqué les différentes composantes de la préfecture. Il a également encouragé la délégation à poursuivre toutes les grandes initiatives dans le ministère et les publications bibliques. Sur cette note, il a prié pour que les initiatives telles que les Semaines bibliques, les quiz bibliques, les festivals bibliques et la copie de la Bible « Scriptura » se poursuivent. Il a encouragé l’équipe à continuer à servir au renforcement du ministère de la pastorale biblique dans les diocèses, comme l’ont demandé certains évêques. Le Père Henry a également remercié les membres pour les services de traduction.
3. Rencontre avec le Conseil
La dernière réunion de la journée était avec les membres du conseil. Après avoir fait un aperçu général de la visite, le Père Henry a remercié les membres pour avoir si bien organisé la visite et a insisté sur la nécessité du travail en équipe et de la confidentialité entre les membres.
La visite à la Délégation a été vraiment un moment d’animation. Le visiteur a encouragé les membres à garder la fraternité et la fidélité comme mots d’ordre. Dans une messe d’action de grâce pour clôturer officiellement la visite, le 8 mai 2024, le Supérieur Majeur a remercié et félicité le Père Henry d’avoir cheminé avec la Délégation et visité même les périphéries les plus difficiles. Pendant les prières d’intercession, le P. Henry a officiellement clôturé la visite. A la fin de la messe, il a encore remercié la Délégation pour la croissance significative et a prié pour tous les membres.
Nous remercions le Père Général d’avoir envoyé le Père Henry à notre Délégation pour la Visite Canonique.
A Domincan, he was elected Pope in 1566. He strenuously promoted the Catholic Reformation that was started by the Council of Trent. He encouraged missionary work and reformed the liturgy.
Entrance Antiphon : Rv 19: 5; 12: 10
Sing praise to our God, all you who fear God, both small and great, for now salvation and strength have come, and the power of his Christ, alleluia.
Collect
O God, who restore us to eternal life in the Resurrection of Christ, grant your people constancy in faith and hope, that we may never doubt the promises of which we have learned from you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Acts 14:19-28
Some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, and turned the people against the apostles. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the town, thinking he was dead. The disciples came crowding round him but, as they did so, he stood up and went back to the town. The next day he and Barnabas went off to Derbe. Having preached the Good News in that town and made a considerable number of disciples, they went back through Lystra and Iconium to Antioch. They put fresh heart into the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in the faith. ‘We all have to experience many hardships’ they said ‘before we enter the kingdom of God.’ In each of these churches they appointed elders, and with prayer and fasting they commended them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe. They passed through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia. Then after proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia and from there sailed for Antioch, where they had originally been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On their arrival they assembled the church and gave an account of all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the pagans. They stayed there with the disciples for some time.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 144:10-13,21
R/ Your friends, O Lord, shall make known the glorious splendour of your reign.
All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and your friends shall repeat their blessing.
They shall speak of the glory of your reign and declare your might, O God,
to make known to men your mighty deeds and the glorious splendour of your reign.
Yours is an everlasting kingdom; your rule lasts from age to age.
Let me speak the praise of the Lord, let all mankind bless his holy name for ever, for ages unending.
Gospel Acclamation : cf.Lk24:46,26
Alleluia, alleluia! It was ordained that the Christ should suffer and rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory. Alleluia!
Gospel : John 14:27-31
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return. If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen you may believe. I shall not talk with you any longer, because the prince of this world is on his way. He has no power over me, but the world must be brought to know that I love the Father and that I am doing exactly what the Father told me.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, these offerings of your exultant Church, and, as you have given her cause for such great gladness, grant also that the gifts we bring may bear fruit in perpetual happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon Rm 6: 8
If we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Christ, alleluia.
Prayer after Communion
Look with kindness upon your people, O Lord, and grant, we pray, that those you were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries may attain in their flesh the incorruptible glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
In his book, Peace of Soul, Fulton J. Sheen, says that the wars we see in the world are just external manifestations of the war in human hearts. This statement contains a massive dose of truth because many people have no peace. They either fear one thing or another, are angry with one person or another or are fighting one person or another. This is why after the resurrection, Jesus knew that peace was our greatest need, and each time he appeared to people, as in the Gospel text of today, his greetings were: Peace be with you. We must refuse to fight, we must refuse to hate, we must refuse to kill, we must refuse division, we must choose the way of love, we must actively choose reconciliation, and we must live by a principle of non-violence like Mahatma Gandhi. We must march behind Chiara Lubich with love, our only weapon. The Peace Jesus talks about is not merely the absence of war but an inner tranquillity that flows from our hearts to unite the world in one peaceful family. Today, Jesus repeats the words to us more forcefully, PEACE BE WITH YOU. Let us pray that peace may indeed reign, especially in our hearts.
La récente visite canonique du Très Révérend Père Jude Thaddeus Langeh, CMF, Supérieur Majeur des Missionnaires Claretains de la Délégation Indépendante du Cameroun, à la Paroisse Saint Charles Lwanga de Nkolbisson à Yaoundé, a été un moment significatif de communion, d’évaluation et de célébration au sein de la communauté religieuse.
La visite canonique, une pratique ecclésiastique visant à évaluer et à fortifier la vie spirituelle et pastorale d’une communauté religieuse, a débuté par une série de rencontres avec les membres de la paroisse, les responsables et les fidèles. Le Très Révérend Père Jude Thaddeus Langeh a partagé des enseignements spirituels, encouragé la fraternité et évalué les initiatives pastorales mises en œuvre au sein de la paroisse.
Un aspect marquant de cette visite a été la clôture par une messe solennelle, réunissant la communauté autour de la prière et de la célébration liturgique. La messe a été l’occasion de renforcer les liens spirituels et de réaffirmer l’engagement envers la mission religieuse dans la région.
Un moment particulièrement attendu de cette visite canonique était la remise des prix aux lauréats du projet scriptura de l’édition 2023. Ce projet, axé sur la promotion de la lecture et de l’étude des Écritures saintes, a mobilisé la participation active des membres de la paroisse. Les lauréats, reconnus pour leur dévouement et leur excellence dans la compréhension des Écritures, ont été honorés lors d’une cérémonie spéciale.
Le Très Révérend Père Jude Thaddeus Langeh a souligné l’importance de la connaissance biblique dans la vie spirituelle des fidèles et a félicité les lauréats pour leur engagement envers cet aspect fondamental de la foi chrétienne. La remise des prix a été l’occasion de célébrer non seulement les réussites individuelles mais aussi le fort engagement collectif envers la croissance spirituelle au sein de la paroisse.
En conclusion, la visite canonique du Très Révérend Père Jude Thaddeus Langeh à la Paroisse Saint Charles Lwanga de Nkolbisson a été une expérience enrichissante et stimulante pour la communauté religieuse. La communion spirituelle, les enseignements partagés et la célébration liturgique ont renforcé les liens au sein de la paroisse, tandis que la remise des prix a honoré et encouragé l’engagement des fidèles dans la compréhension profonde des Écritures saintes.
Du 15 au 21 octobre 2023, s’est tenue à Melong la retraite des missionnaires Claretains de la Délégation Indépendante du Cameroun. Cet événement d’envergure a été ouvert par Monseigneur Léopold Sausthene Bayemi, évêque du Diocèse d’Obala, sous le thème inspirant : “À l’imitation de la première communauté chrétienne”.
La retraite a réuni les missionnaires Claretains du Cameroun dans un cadre paisible et propice à la réflexion et à la prière. Elle a été l’occasion pour ces hommes dévoués de se retirer du tumulte quotidien de leurs missions, afin de se ressourcer spirituellement et de renforcer leur engagement envers leur vocation missionnaire.
En tant que prédicateur principal, Monseigneur Léopold Bayemi malgré qu’il était absent physiquement, n’a pas manqué de faire son partage via zoom avec les participants. Il a souligné l’importance de suivre l’exemple de la première communauté chrétienne, qui se caractérisait par son unité, sa fraternité et son amour véritable. Les missionnaires Claretains ont été encouragés à cultiver ces valeurs dans leur propre vie et dans leurs actions pastorales.
Le deuxième prédicateur, le Kizito Essele Essele du diocèse d’Obala, a également développé le même thème que Monseigneur Léopold. Ses réflexions profondes ont permis aux participants de mieux comprendre les défis et les opportunités de vivre selon les principes de la première communauté chrétienne dans le contexte actuel.
En marge de la retraite, une mini-assemblée s’est tenue pour évaluer le fonctionnement de la délégation. Cette occasion a permis aux missionnaires de partager leurs expériences, leurs réussites et leurs défis, et de discuter des moyens d’améliorer la collaboration et la coordination au sein de la délégation.
Un moment fort de la retraite a été la remise solennelle de la Croix Claretaine à tous les confrères Claretains. Cette distinction honorifique symbolise leur engagement et leur dévouement envers la mission de l’Église et rappelle l’héritage du fondateur de la congrégation, Saint Antoine-Marie Claret.
La retraite des missionnaires Claretains de la Délégation Indépendante du Cameroun à Melong a été un temps précieux de réflexion, de prière et de renouveau spirituel. Les participants ont été inspirés par les enseignements de Monseigneur Léopold Sausthene Bayemi et du Kizito Essele Essele, et ont été encouragés à persévérer dans leur mission de partager l’amour du Christ avec les autres.
Cet événement a également renforcé les liens fraternels entre les missionnaires Claretains, favorisant ainsi une collaboration plus étroite et une action pastorale plus efficace au sein de la délégation. La remise solennelle de la Croix Claretaine a symbolisé l’engagement indéfectible de ces missionnaires envers leur vocation et a été un moment de grande fierté pour tous.
