Our Lady of Lourdes: A Growing Parish
The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest has been situated in Libreville, the capital city of Gabon, for over four years. Last year our Archbishop, Msgr. Basile Mvé Engone, erected our apostolate as a parish and installed Canon de Ternay as the pastor.
The support of our Archbishop is a great blessing. Since our apostolate has become a parish, it has not ceased to grow. In 2008 we had 15 baptisms and about 150 parishioners; in 2009 we had 41 baptisms and are now approaching 500 parishioners! And this year we have 44 adults preparing for their baptism in our catechism program. In fact, at Our Lady of Lourdes parish we have more than 170 faithful in catechism spread out over 6 classes. There are 3 levels for children; confirmation preparation; perseverance; and adult catechism. We have quickly outgrown our temporary chapel.
Although the large mission church is still under construction, we were able to have Holy Mass there for the first time on Ash Wednesday.
Other activities that take place at the parish are: daily mass, three divine offices recited publically every day, daily public rosary, four adorations per week, two prayer groups Rosa Mystica and Emmanuel, English and Latin classes, each once a week, three practices a week for our St. Benedict's Choir, and weekly Altar Boy practices and liturgical formation sessions, and on Sundays, Solemn High Mass and Solemn Vespers.
This all of course in addition to the sacramental needs of the faithful, such as confessions and spiritual direction, communion and visits to the sick and orphanages, house blessings and exorcisms. The parish also organizes retreats, summer camps, and various conferences. The most recent event was the successful Gregorian Chant session directed by Canon Wulfran Lebocq, choirmaster of the Institute's international seminary, and crowned with the presence of our Archbishop who presided over Pontifical Vespers at the parish.
What blessings! Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the glory of God and the salvation of souls!
Reverend Deacon Michael Stein