Ouadougou (Fides Service)- What is a religious vocation? Every priest and religious can reply on the basis of his or her own experience and encounter with the Lord. The experience is personal but also universal. Brother Alain Tougama, who took his perpetual vows as a brother of the Frères Missionnaires des Campagnes on 20 August in the Cathedral of Koupela (Burkina Faso) sent Fides this testimonial. “It all began in a sort of dream and I felt called. The call was difficult to note because it was not audible. I had to give it time and then I saw more clearly. My vocation matured gradually with trust.
The soul of Christian life was handed on to me by my Christian parents. Third of six children I received a human and spiritual education in the family. My father was catechist and since we were nomads he was an itinerant catechist. The parish priest visited us regularly and his enthusiasm, kindness and ardour nourished the seed of a life given to God and mankind which lay in my heart. I was impressed by his generous availability to serve the men and women of our day. I had but one desire, to enter Baskouré seminary and become a priest. However later another idea came to me, I might like to be a pilot. But that was my dream, only a dream.
The stronger the dream the stronger the grip of the “virus” of the vocation. I decided to return to my first plan. Unfortunately Dapaong Seminary had been closed. I know when one door closes another opens. I had heard about the Frères Missionnaires des Campagnes. And after serious reflection I decided to pay them a visit. It was with the Brothers that I discovered the Religious Life which met with my deepest aspirations. Their charisma fits in with the rural world, a sense of fraternal and community life have always been important for me.
I was attracted by he religious, community and missionary life. I realised that with these three characteristics Religious life is a profession of faith and service: a commitment to live one’s baptism. In 1999 I set out on the path which led me to make perpetual vows as a member of the Congregation. My first land of mission was Massédéna (in Togo) where I truly experienced community life and realised that fraternal life is possible despite our differences. Contact with other brothers helped me realise that my first profession was an opening to God and to the whole of humanity. The vows of poverty, chastity and obedience are a preferential choice which corresponds perfectly with my inner being. The grace of a Call comes from God: he made me what I am”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 4/10/2005 righe 44 parole 590)