Camerún: Gracias a tu ayuda se realizaron retiros para religiosas

A sister praying at the grotto of Our Lady during the annual retreat. CAMEROON / KUMBO 25/00173 Annual Retreats of the Tertiary Sisters of St Francis of Assisi (TSSF) - Province of Cameroon, 01.03-07.03.2026 + 01.05-05.05.2026 + 01.06-08.06.2026 . RETREAT TESTIMONIES I am Sr. Anne Marie Ginyo. I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation for the retreat that was generously funded by Aid to the Church in Need. The days of prayer, reflection, and spiritual guidance provided me with a unique opportunity to deepen my relationship with God and evaluate my life and ministry. Before the retreat, I often found myself overwhelmed by the numerous responsibilities of community life, apostolic work and the political situation we find ourselves in our region. The retreat allowed me to pause, listen to God's voice, and regain spiritual balance. Through the conferences and personal prayer, I learned the importance of trusting God more deeply and carrying out my mission with faith and serenity. This experience has greatly influenced my apostolate. I now carry out my responsibilities with renewed enthusiasm and a stronger sense of purpose. I have become more intentional in fostering positive relationships, encouraging those who are struggling, and witnessing God's love through my actions. The retreat reminded me that effective ministry flows from a life rooted in prayer. The benefits of this retreat continue to bear fruit in my daily service, and I am confident that the people I encounter also benefit from the spiritual renewal I received. I am profoundly grateful to Aid to the Church in Need for investing in the spiritual well-being of religious sisters and supporting our mission of service to God's people. . My name is Sr. Camila Venten and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate in the retreat sponsored by Aid to the Church in Need. The retreat was a moment of profound encounter with God and an opportunity to step away from the demands of daily ministry to reflect on my vocation and mission. Through the prayer sessions, reflections, and moments of silence, I experienced a renewed sense of God's love and call in my life. The retreat helped me recognize areas where fatigue and routine had affected my enthusiasm for ministry. I was encouraged to return to the source of my vocation and rediscover the joy of serving God's people. One of the greatest fruits of the retreat has been a deeper commitment to listening and accompanying those entrusted to my care. In my apostolate, I work closely with women and young people who often face many challenges. Since the retreat, I have become more patient, compassionate, and attentive to their needs. I now approach my ministry with greater confidence, hope, and spiritual energy. The retreat was not only a personal blessing but also a source of renewal for the many people I serve. I sincerely thank our benefactors for making this transformative experience possible.

“He experimentado en mi vida un renovado sentido del amor de Dios y de su llamada”, asegura la Hna. Camila al reflexionar sobre el retiro anual al que ha asistido recientemente. Gracias a su generosidad, 130 religiosas de la congregación de las Hermanas Terciarias de San Francisco de Asís de Camerún han podido asistir a sus retiros anuales en 2026.

Estas religiosas desempeñan un papel fundamental en la vida de la Iglesia en Camerún. De hecho, entre todas las congregaciones femeninas del país, son una de las más numerosas en hermanas profesas y tienen muchas nuevas vocaciones. Su carisma se centra en llevar una vida contemplativa en el presente y en discernir la voluntad de Dios en los signos y las necesidades de los tiempos, y estas religiosas han discernido que su misión es permanecer cerca del pueblo, en tiempos en que algunas zonas de Camerún atraviesan una situación de incertidumbre e inestabilidad.

En consonancia con su carisma, la congregación exige meditación diaria y un retiro anual, pero, debido a la inseguridad en algunas zonas de Camerún, no han logrado reunir los fondos necesarios para sufragar su retiro anual. Y ahí es donde entráis vosotros: gracias a vuestro apoyo, hemos podido ayudarlas a celebrar sus retiros anuales.

El tema de los retiros anuales fue ‘La eficacia de la misión a través de la oración’, que incluyó dirección espiritual y reflexión. El fruto de los retiros es evidente. Así, tras participar en uno, la Hna. Camila nos ha escrito: “Me sentí animada a regresar a la fuente de mi vocación y a redescubrir la alegría de servir al pueblo de Dios”. Por su parte, la Hna. Anne Marie nos ha confesado: “Ahora desempeño mis responsabilidades con un entusiasmo renovado y un horizonte de sentido más firme. Ahora me esfuerzo más por fomentar relaciones positivas, animar a quienes atraviesan dificultades y dar testimonio del amor de Dios a través de mis acciones”.

Gracias a su apoyo, estas religiosas han podido regresar a sus comunidades con un renovado horizonte de sentido y revitalizadas espiritualmente.