On the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Feast of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, on Sunday 6 June 2021, the community of the parish of the Holy Spirit at Mpaka in the archdiocese of Pointe-Noire had the joy of strengthening its bonds by a festive meal.

This activity was not only based on the sharing of bread but it had begun with a Eucharistic Week on the theme “Eucharist, sacrament of healing” animated by Father Jean Jacques Nkodia, a member of the community and parish priest, and by Father Ephrem Uldaric Mabika, the treasurer of the community and vicar of the parish, who is in charge of formation and prayer. Then a period of adoration was animated with the faithful of the parish.

In fact, it was after the 11 a.m. Mass, presided by Father Ephrem Mabika, that the agape began. First by the prayer led by the Abbé Amour Israel, a deacon of the diocese of Nkayi, then by a short speech by Father Ephrem to welcome the assembly and introduce some groups such as priests from everywhere, the members of the aggregation of the various parishes, then the friends of Blessed Sacrament religious whom we call friends of the lockdown. Finally, Father invited the assembly to share a meal, fruit of the earth and the work of human hands, a sign of unity, joy, celebration and communion.

This celebration was enlivened by music and especially the rhythm of everyone dancing, one of the important points and a sign marking the atmosphere with fraternal solidarity. Even though we do not attain fulness of agape on earth, nonetheless our feasts are small signs giving us a foretaste of eternal joy. We are all invited, this simply to recall Jean Vanier’s words, Community is a place of festivity and forgiveness. This festival also marked a return to the original time, in other words, the past renewed in the present.

Before the end of the agape, Father Ephrem, the treasurer of the community, thanked the members of the aggregation and especially the friends of the religious of the Blessed Sacrament for their support and for their encouragement towards our community despite the Covid-19 pandemic. This day ended with a closing prayer. Finally, this time was an important moment for our community life, a moment when our community in union with the members of the aggregation and the friends of the Blessed Sacrament Religious became aware of its unity, a moment when it showed its Eucharistic joy, because of which the memory of this day will renew our daily life.

Father Ephrem Uldaric Mabika, sss