I was assigned to the Regional House in September 2014. So then I completed a year of physical presence and service in this house. It is not easy to end up in an environment to which we are not at all used to and to start a newly created position and to organize. The mere acquisition of knowledge about the tender specifications is not sufficient to take the true measure multiple tasks in this house.

Before expressing my feelings as I am asked, I begin by thanking God for all that he has allowed me and the exhilaration I experience every day.

I then express my deep gratitude to all those who allowed me to be at this task in the regional house of SMA fathers. It is a challenge that’s given to me and I am happy to meet it.

I thank the Superior General of my congregation, Mother Marie Claude Soba and her council for placing their confidence in me by assigning me to this service, a new field of apostolate for our Congregation of the Oblates Catéchistes Petites Servantes des Pauvres (OCPSP), the institute founded now more than a century, by the missionary commitment of Fr. Emile Barril, SMA.

Thanks to the sisters of my community of life and apostolate of the Sacred Heart community Akpakpa, for their support.

Thanks to Father Bruno Miyigbena, the Regional, and council and to all SMA fathers for the confidence placed in me. I continue to seek the indulgence of one and all for a good cooperation and better service.

Thanks to the staff I work with every day. I am thinking particularly of Prosper the cook, Eric the gardener, Gilles the bleacher and the house guardians. In the beginning it was bit difficult for me and probably for them too. For me, this is a first experience of managing people and for them a first experience working with a nun. As with any new experience, we experienced moments of clashes and teeth grinding. Now I feel a little better accepted by all. This motivates me more to serve. 

When I was taking up the charge on 29 September 2014, the Regional told me: “Sister, I ask you nothing else than to be the mother of this house, the mother of us all, SMA priests and staff, mom to people who come for a residence time. Even if it is following a set of specifications presented to your Mother General that you were assigned here, know that you can give us satisfaction and be satisfied with your service by accepting just being here like our mom, simply and fully “.

These words had surprised and even shocked me. How we, religious of OCPSP, which we recognize as daughters of SMA fathers, would become your mothers? But referring to the reality of our own families, I realize that the girl, as small as she is, is also the small mom of the house in several circumstances. Then I understood. I kept this sentence deep in my heart and I meditate it in all circumstances especially during the many moments of pain and joy that I experienced at the regional house.

Every day I pray to the Lord to help me to be this small mom, your little maid, the little servant of the poor. I count on the intercession of the humble handmaid of the Lord, the Virgin Mary, our common Mother; she, who, by welcoming the message of the angel of the Lord teaches us to accommodate everything. Let’s pray for each other so that the Lord may help us and guide us in our respective missions.

In this Jubilee year that begins, I wish that we become the Face of Mercy of God for one another and everywhere.

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year 2016!

Sr. Clémence Ikokpata, ocpsp.