« Not to us o Lord, not to us, but to your name give the Glory. » (Psalm 115: 1)
I was ordained on the 4th of July 2015, as such at this point of writing, I am still a ‘baby’ in the ministry, that is, six months in the sacred priesthood.

The first thought that came to mind when asked to share my experience in the ministry is the saying that “it is only the person wearing the shoe that really knows where it hurts”. In other words, it does not pay in anyway to judge from a far, that is, to judge the working of a system, you have to be part of that system, because I know I am guilty of such act as I sit quietly and put down my experience.

I am presently working in the Benin/ Niger region specifically, in the parish ‘Notre Dame du Sacré Coeur’, Banikanni, in the Archdiocese of Parakou, in the northern part of Benin Republic. I actually had my stage experience in this same parish. However, I must quickly confess that, then and now are two very different experiences, the stage was only a surface. When I was told that I will be returning to Banikanni, it was a thing of mixed feeling, but, I remain grateful to God for his faithfulness and love.

While in the seminary, I had always seen others celebrating mass in French, and I always wondered how I would when finally ordained, however, I thank God that my first experience was not that bad. Since I had to concelebrate before I finally celebrated.

Community life
The brotherhood that exists between my confrère (Valentin FADEGNON) and myself has been helpful and encouraging, and I have come to realize in a very pragmatic way that where and when understanding, care, support, trust and openness exist between confrères, the mission is bound to be fruitful with the special blessings of the Lord for obstacles will surely be scaled no matter how challenging the mission is. I must say that my brother has within these three months helped me to learn a lot of thing and for that I am sincerely grateful.

My responsibilities
Presently, I am the bursar of the house, guest in-charge of the community and at the level of the pastoral in the parish, I am working with the youth and the vocation group.

Major activities

As part of the major activities for the past three month in the pastoral field, we welcomed the cross of jubilee in our parish on the 31st October 2015, during which we celebrated the Holy Mass to end the Marian month. In addition, during the festive period, we had a three days celebration for the children to “Noël des enfants” (from the 23rd – 25th December 2015).

I must say that there are still a lot of things for me to learn. Six months in the priesthood is just a step in a journey of miles. As such I use this opportunity to ask you to remember me in your prayers and as one family, let us keep the SMA light burning wherever we are for with God all things are possible.

Lastly, I say a big thanks to the media team for this privilege given to me. Keep up the good work.

Wishing you all a happy New Year 2016, and may God continue to bless the good works of our hands.

Fr. Christopher Oshalaiye, SMA.