My First Visit to Kinshasa: A Journey of Encounter, Joy, and Mission
September 3–14, 2026
A Blessed Beginning
I feel deeply grateful to God for the blessing of making my first visit to Kinshasa, Congo, Africa. I had the privilege of traveling with Alberto Toutin, our Superior General, for the celebration of the Silver Jubilee Year of the Province of Africa.
We were warmly welcomed by our brothers in the Province, and from the very beginning, I felt a genuine spirit of fraternity and joy. The visit was not simply a journey to another country, but it became an experience of encounter, communion, mission, and gratitude.
We were in Kinshasa from September 4–14, 2026. During those ten days, I had the opportunity to experience many different aspects of life there: the vibrant liturgical celebrations, the heavy and overwhelming traffic, the daily life of the people, our SSCC communities, the various places where our brothers carry out their ministries, encounters with our sisters and members of the Secular Branch, visits to different places around Kinshasa, and, above all, many beautiful encounters with our brothers.
Looking back, I realize that the visit was much more than seeing new places. It was an opportunity to see God at work in the lives of the people and in the mission of our Congregation.
The Joy of Encounter
One of the greatest blessings of the visit was the opportunity to meet our brothers and to reconnect with some whom I had known before. Every encounter brought its own joy and reminded me of the gift of belonging to one Congregation and one spiritual family.
I was particularly happy to meet the scholastics, novices, pre-novices, and candidates—our future and prospective SSCC members. Seeing these young men responding generously to God's call was a source of hope and encouragement.
The brothers live simple and joyful lives. They are committed to their ministries and seek to live according to the charism of our Congregation. Their simplicity, dedication, and availability to the people made a deep impression on me.
In meeting them, I was reminded that vocation is not simply about what we do; it is about giving our lives generously to God and to others.
Witnessing the Life of the Province
During our stay, I was privileged to witness several important events and celebrations in the life of the Province. Among them were:
The celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the Province of Africa – Mass followed by reception. 
These celebrations were moments of great joy and thanksgiving. They reminded me that the Lord continues to call young people to follow Him and to dedicate their lives to the mission of the Church and the Congregation.
The Jubilee celebration was particularly meaningful. Twenty-five years of the Province's journey represent countless stories of sacrifice, dedication, prayer, service, and God's faithfulness. It was a moment to look back with gratitude and forward with renewed hope.
Mission at the Service of the People
I was deeply impressed by the places of ministry and by the commitment of our brothers to the people they serve. The brothers are involved in a variety of ministries, including:
The brothers live in community and go out each day to the places where they carry out their ministries. They make themselves available to the needs of the people and seek to serve them with generosity.
The education ministry especially caught my attention. It is a vibrant, growing, and very significant ministry. There is a nursing training center with a very large number of students, reflecting the great demand for this kind of professional training.
Through education and formation, our brothers are not only providing knowledge and skills; they are also contributing to the dignity and future of young people and families.
I was reminded once again that our ministry becomes meaningful when it touches people's lives and gives them hope.
With Newly Professed Brothers
Formation: A Sign of Hope for the Future
The Province has been blessed by our loving God with many young vocations, both in Congo and in Mozambique. This was one of the most encouraging aspects of my visit. They are a reminder that the Lord continues to call, and that the future of our Congregation is in His hands.
I was pleased to meet two of our brothers from Mozambique, Eliseu Mateu (Provincial Council) and Silvestre Noteiana Mole, who came to participate in the Provincial Council Meeting and in the celebration of the Jubilee of the Province.
I also had the opportunity to meet some of our SSCC sisters and visit their places of ministry. It was beautiful to see how our brothers and sisters collaborate in formation and ministry. Some of our sisters are also working in our schools. It was a joy to see brothers and sisters working together in pastoral, educational, and formation ministries.
The Beauty of the Liturgy
One of the most memorable experiences of my visit was participating in the liturgy. The Mass can last three to four hours, yet once you enter into the celebration, you hardly realize how much time has passed. There is so much singing, dancing, prayer, participation, and joy. The liturgy is not simply something to be watched; it is something to be lived. The prayers in the communities are also very uplifting. Almost all the prayers are sung every day. There is a deep sense of participation and joy in prayer. The liturgy has been very uplifting.
Through the liturgy, I experienced a Church that celebrates with the whole person—with voice, movement, music, prayer, and joy. It reminded me that our faith is not merely something we believe; it is something we celebrate and live.
Life in Kinshasa
Kinshasa is a city full of life, movement, energy, and contrasts. The traffic was one of the first things that caught my attention. I thought traffic and driving in India were dangerous, but Kinshasa seemed even more horrible! There are not many traffic lights, and the roads can be extremely busy with huge crowds. People cross almost anywhere, even on expressways. Motorbikes, auto-rickshaws, and buses are everywhere.
Some roads are not in good condition, yet people drive fast. It is common to see several people traveling on a single motorbike. For a car, a four-wheel-drive vehicle seems almost essential!
Although the traffic could be overwhelming at times, it was also fascinating to observe the rhythm and movement of the city.
The Markets: A World of Their Own
The markets were another unforgettable experience. They are incredibly crowded, and sometimes it is difficult to know who is buying and who is selling. Perhaps some people are doing both! Some markets stretch so far in length that they seem to have no end. There is constant movement, conversation, buying, selling, carrying, walking, and negotiating.
The markets gave me another glimpse into the daily life of the people and the realities in which they live.
The Joy of the People
Perhaps one of the things that touched me most was the joy of the people. They certainly have their struggles and difficulties. Life is not always easy. Yet when it comes to celebrating life, they seem able to set aside their worries and enter wholeheartedly into singing and dancing.
This was my impression during my visit, and it stayed with me. There is something profoundly spiritual in this kind of joy. It reminded me that joy does not always come from having everything we want or from living without difficulties. Sometimes, joy is a gift we choose to receive and share even in the midst of challenges. The people of Kinshasa taught me something about celebrating life.
A Journey of Gratitude
As I look back on these days in Kinshasa, I feel grateful for all that I received. I went there as a visitor, but I returned with many memories, encounters, reflections, and blessings. I was welcomed into the lives of our brothers, and I had the opportunity to see their commitment to the Congregation, the Church, and the people they serve.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Provincial and his Council for their great hospitality, generosity, patience, and fraternal welcome. I am grateful to all the brothers who took the time to meet us, accompany us, share their stories, and make our visit so meaningful.
I also thank Alberto Toutin our Superior General for giving me this opportunity and above all, I thank God for the gift of this journey.
May the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary continue to bless our brothers and sisters in Africa. May the Lord strengthen them in their vocation and mission, bless the young people who are discerning their vocation, and give them courage and perseverance in their service.
To the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, honor and glory!
by Fr. Stephen Banjare, ss.cc.
General Councilor
