A total of 26 confreres – 25 priests and one lay brother – took part in the gathering, accompanied by the Vice Provincial Vicar. Coming from the five countries that make up the Province, they participated with enthusiasm in this formative and fraternal encounter.

The programme began on the evening of 5 May with the arrival of the participants. Following community prayer and supper, Fr Éric Vassi, Rector of the host community, offered a warm word of welcome and presented the pastoral and community reality of Duekoué. The evening continued with a moment of fraternal introductions, marked by simplicity and cordiality, during which each confrere shared his background and apostolic field of service.

Fraternal sharing and formative reflection

On Wednesday, 6 May, the day opened with meditation and morning prayer. The morning was devoted to the sharing of experiences of the participants, in an authentic spirit of family. The confreres spoke openly about the joys, challenges and difficulties encountered in their pastoral ministry. This time of listening and dialogue continued into the evening.

Later that evening, Fr Sylvain Agbangba delivered a reflection entitled: “The Convitto Ecclesiastico in the AOS Province: Living and Bearing Witness.” Drawing inspiration from the original experience of the Convitto Ecclesiastico, he encouraged the participants to strengthen the practice of spiritual accompaniment, to reaffirm the centrality of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to nurture fraternal life and to engage gradually and discerningly in concrete pastoral work.

He placed particular emphasis on the need for a disciplined way of life, understood as the response of the disciple who organises his life according to the teachings of the Master. The young confreres were encouraged to allow themselves to be accompanied, to build unity of life and to discern clearly their concrete mission.

The day also included a moment of fraternal sport and the celebration of the feast of St Dominic Savio with the parish community, marked by a solemn Eucharist presided over by Fr Joseph Kodjo of the Cinkassé community (Togo). The evening concluded with supper and the traditional “Good Night” reflection offered by Fr Cisco, a member of the Duekoué community.

Transparency and Safeguarding in the Mission

Thursday, 7 May, began once again with meditation and morning prayer. The morning session featured a conference led by Sr Solange Sia of the Congregation of Our Lady of Calvary, a respected academic and religious figure in Côte d’Ivoire.

Her presentation, entitled “Transparency in the Witness of Our Religious Life: A Protection Against Sexual Abuse in the Mission,” addressed the reality of abuse within the Church with clarity and an interactive methodology. She invited the confreres to practise pastoral prudence grounded in transparency, responsibility and coherence of life.

In the afternoon and evening, the participants completed their sharing of experiences. The Vice Provincial highlighted key points to ensure a harmonious and fruitful integration into the mission. The meeting also provided an opportunity to plan the next edition of the Quinquennium.

Later in the day, the confreres celebrated the Eucharist with the young people of the parish, in a Mass presided over by Fr François Coulibaly of the Kara community (Togo). The celebration was followed by a fraternal meal shared with the Salesian Family and the young people. The “Good Night” reflection was given by Fr Zéphyrin Honyigloh of the Tappetah community, Liberia.

Pilgrimage to Yamoussoukro and Conclusion

On Friday, 8 May, the confreres travelled to Yamoussoukro for a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. It was a moment of profound spirituality and communion. After celebrating the Eucharist in St Joseph’s Chapel, presided over by Fr Sylvain Agbangba, the group took part in a guided visit of the Basilica.

The gathering concluded joyfully with a fraternal meal and a convivial moment dedicated to the exchange of “invisible friends”. Following words of gratitude addressed to the Duekoué community and the concluding prayer, the confreres returned to their respective communities, enriched by an experience of fraternity, formation and spiritual renewal.

This first edition of the AOS Quinquennium thus proved to be a privileged time of human, spiritual and pastoral growth, lived in fidelity to the charism of Don Bosco and in generous service to the young.