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BENIN – PARAKOU: Saint Paul District West Africa: Annual Retreat and Mennaisian Session.

Family photo (Mennaisian Brothers and Lay People)

From July 26th to August 2nd, 2026, the Brothers from the Togo-Benin and Senegal Sectors experienced the Highlight of the Annual Spiritual Retreat around the same Theme: “Brothers on the Way: Pilgrims on the Path of Fraternity”.

The Brothers from the Togo-Benin Sector met at the Notre Dame Star Monastery in Parakou, Benin, where the Retreat was preached by Father Étienne Harding MBOULE, Chaplain of the said Monastery.The Brothers during the Eucharistic Celebration

Group photo of the Brothers with the Preacher           

Renewal of Vows

On the Senegal side, it’s the Jesuit Spiritual Center in Mbour that welcomed the Brothers for those Six Days of Spiritual Renewal, during which Father Robert Nguewadjim NADJALTA, a Jesuit, spoke to the Brothers on the Theme announced above. It should be noted that some Brothers Renewed their Vows at the end of that Time of Grace, during which the Brothers once again went to the Source to allow themselves to be Renewed by the Lord for a more Fruitful Fraternal Life and Mission. Brother Wilfried FARA, Visitor of the Saint Paul District, personally received the Renewal of Vows from the Brothers of the Togo-Benin Sector. From Senegal, it was Brother Jean Baptiste NDIAYE (Delegate of the Brother Visitor) who received them.

Teaching Time (Senegal)

Renewal of Vows (Senegal)

Another Significant Moment experienced in the Togo-Benin Sector was the Mennaisian Session which took place in Thian, Parakou (Benin); from August 2nd to 6th, 2026.That Event brought together the Brothers and Lay Teachers from Our Schools in the Togo-Benin Region. Coming from five (5) different Schools, the Mennaisian Brothers and Lay People met in a Spirit of Fraternity to share their Experiences, exchange Ideas on their Educational Practices, and reflect together on the Challenges of Our Mission as Mennaisian Educators in a constantly Changing Society.

Opening Mass of the Session

Following a Fruitful Exchange on the very First Day regarding Best Practices implemented in Our Institutions, several Themes enriched Our Meetings and Reflections. Those Discussions strengthened Our Bonds, Deepened Our Understanding of Our Charism and Pedagogy, and laid the Groundwork for a Renewed Commitment to Serving the Young People and Children entrusted to Our Care, offering them a Better “Bread of Learning,” as Father La Mennais recommended.

The Participants in the Conference Room

Planting of the Mennaisian Family Tree in Memory of that 2026 Edition

News compiled by Brother Gilbert (Togo)

Hervé Asse NEWS

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