On August 6, 2022, twelve new confreres were vested in the Conventual Franciscan habit as they began their year of probation in the Provincial Custody of St. Anthony of Padua in Ghana. The memorable ceremony was a beautiful and colorful event.
Six of the new novices are from Ghana. They are Stephen Henry QUIST, Ebenezer ASANTE, Justice Mensah DOGBEY, Philip Waye MANU, Marshal James Dery NUOYONG and Isaac Jojo PRAH. The remaining six are from the Provincial Delegation in Burkina Faso. They are Marc SIDIBE, Florentin ADETOLA, Touwendsida Jean KABORE, Jules BATIONO, Louis SAWADOGO and Joel SANOU.
The celebration was held at the St. Francis of Assisi Friary and Novitiate in Saltpond, which is also well known in Ghana as the “Franciscan Valley of Prayer and Silence Retreat Center.” The celebration was made more festive by the presence of the Custodial Vicar, Friar Emmanuel Kofi OCRAN, who presided. Others present included the Novice Master, Friar Moses Kabenla ARTHUR; the Guardian of the Saltpond community, Friar Isaac Yaw FRIMPONG; the Rector of the Postulancy Program, Friar Charles Ekow AMOAH, along with his Assistant, Kennedy TSORMEY; and all the friars of the friary.
In his homily, the Custodial Vicar, Friar Emmanuel, exhorted the friars to respect the habit in which they have been vested; to cooperate with the grace they have received by following the path of our Lord Jesus Christ in the footsteps of our founder St. Francis. Friar Emmanuel then congratulated the friars and encouraged them to be open to the formation and training that will be presented to them.
Everyone welcomed the new novices and joyfully prayed for them. May our thoughts, prayers and good wishes be with these young friars of ours as they begin their year of probation. May our founder St. Francis of Assisi always give them his peace!
Friar Francis Pascal AFFUM, Custodial Secretary
