Cameroon – Cardinal Sarah's Visit to the Word of God Retreat Centre

On 7 April 2024, Divine Mercy Sunday, Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, presided over a Mass at the Word of God Retreat Centre in the Diocese of Obala, Cameroon.

A Gathering of Faith and Joy

It was exactly 9:38 a.m. when Cardinal Sarah set foot on the grounds of the Retreat Centre, accompanied by Bishop Sosthène Bayemi, Bishop of the Diocese of Obala. He was warmly welcomed by Dr Henri Bayemi, Founder and General Leader of the Movement of the Incarnation, established in 1996 in Bamenda, Cameroon. About 1,500 faithful came to take part in this Eucharistic celebration in a festive atmosphere. In his introductory words, Dr Henri Bayemi expressed his gratitude to God for the joy of having “an envoy of God in our midst.”

A Teaching That Challenges

In his homily, Cardinal Sarah underlined the importance of divine mercy. He affirmed: “The first fruit of God's mercy is to gather His children together and tear down the walls of hatred that divide the human community. We must seek the peace that comes from God, cultivate a deep faith, and let ourselves be transformed by the Word of God. The Christian must accept the cross, be nourished by the Eucharist, and draw closer to the Virgin Mary.” He also encouraged the faithful to experience and embrace silence.

A Memorable Visit

At the end of the Mass, the Cardinal attended an evangelisation performance on stage, made up of skits and musical dramas inviting all to live the Word of God. He then blessed the Marian grotto “Our Lady of the Incarnation” at the Retreat Centre. Bishop Sosthène Léopold Bayemi then underlined the lasting impact of this visit: “I believe he leaves his mark not only regarding the importance of silence that we take away from him, but also of faith.” For his part, Cardinal Sarah expressed his joy at being in a place dedicated to the Word of God and encouraged the Movement of the Incarnation to make the Retreat Centre, which will be able to accommodate two thousand participants, a place radiating faith for Cameroon, Africa and the world.