Divine Mercy Mission in Cameroon

The Marians established the first mission in Africa in 1984. first in Rwanda, and then in Cameroon. Presently there are 10 missionaries serving in both countries. They provide pastoral and social ministry in their parish and also educational service to the youth and children. They serve also spiritual and charismatic ministry.

Character of the Marian Mission

The Marian mission in Rwanda has been placed within a specific social, cultural, and political environment.

Before the war they were creating the Church trough organizing chapels and schools.  During the war they assisted the refugees through their ministry in the refuge’s camps and after the war they undertook the ministry of reconciliation for traumatized ands wounded people helping them to find peace, forgiveness, and sense of life.

Their mission in Cameroon can be described as assistance in restoring back to life both the people and structures. Through repairing old ruined buildings and making new constructions, they have restored to the mission its old splendor and functionality. They proclaim hope to fallen people, educate them, set free from fear and poverty, and lead them to a dignified way of life.

Calling for Mercy
This is how they could name their African Missions since the theological basis of their mission is proclaiming and practicing mercy. They undertook this challenge in Cameroon starting with creating communities of Divine Mercy. They now have 25 communities, which recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet and get involved in helping the poor. In Aril 2004 the Bishop established the Shrine of the Divine Mercy, the only such shrine in Cameroon, and entrusted it to the Marians.

Shrine’s and Apostolate’s activities
They organized a large pilgrimage for the Feast of the Divine Mercy. In 2004, one thousand people participated in a walking pilgrimage to the Shrine. In 2005, the number was greater.

In the Shrine they hold retreats, days of retreats, and sessions for all groups and movements.  They assist the poor, the sick (especially people with AIDS).  They create for the young people the “foyer” – a formation center where they can learn and trade and receive a basic formation necessary for independent life.  They have also organized a group of animators or leaders with whom they spread the Divine Mercy message and spirituality through the entire diocese.

Following St. Faustina’s example to be an “Apostle of the Divine Mercy”, and in the spirit of the Lord’s commandment given to Faustina (Diary, 1588): “ In the Old Covenant I sent prophets wielding thunderbolts to my people. Today I am sending you with my Mercy to the people of the whole world”, they visited 20 parish in their diocese with Divine Mercy Animation – conferences, singing, celebration, as well as a theatrical performance.

They also try to root the Divine Mercy message into the hearts and minds of the Africans through using their culture and customs; and they try to improve their custom by offering them the victory of love and mercy over vengeance and hatred. 

They translate prayers and songs into local dialects. Also, they use the African art to bring closer to people the Merciful Christ and The Divine Mercy.  In particular, they also help families. African family is in great need of The Divine Mercy. The majority of families live outside any kind of wedding bonds: neither traditional, nor legal, nor religious; they often maintain polygamy. Such bad heathen habits deprive (divest) women of all dignity and condemn children to poverty.

Apart from the pastoral and spiritual activity, the calling for the Mercy includes social works: for example development of the formation center where they provide assistance for the poor and the sick.  They assist the handicapped and suffering people by providing them with wheelchairs, tools for trade, and by teaching them to be independent.

From:  http://www.divine-mercy-mission.org/