Interview with Fr. Gaetan

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Fr. Gaetan is one of the formators who has been in Lavigerie house for the past two years.  Here is the interview Lavigerie Drum had with him about his experience and life in Lavigerie house.

AUSTINE: Could you please tell us about yourself and your background?

FR.GAETAN: I am Gaetan BAWENDSOM TIENDREBEOGO from Burkina-Faso, first born of 5 children (1 girl and 4 boys). My family lives in Bobo-Dioulasso where I grew up and studied. I was born in water and spirit in 1979. Bawendsom means “Seek the goodness of God” and Tiendrebego is literally translated “Hope in tomorrow or the future”. I like my name and carry it as a mission.

AUSTINE: We would also be glad to hear about your vocation journey and your missionary experience to this day.

FR. GAETAN: I was attracted by the call of Abraham to leave his country and his people to follow God. This touched me very much as a first born who loved and loves his family very much and wanted to go and bring the Good News to others in Africa who did not hear yet of Christ. The intercultural community life of the Missionaries of Africa also captured my attention. It is no surprise that I started my missionary journey in 2000.  I was ordained on the 10th of July 2010 and appointed to Khartoum, Sudan but was first sent for Arabic and Islamic studies in Egypt. I finished these studies in June 2011 and never got the visa for Khartoum. I thus started a pilgrimage from the end of the Nile to its source passing through the Land of the highest peak in Africa. God had for me the blessing of the land of the Ugandan martyrs, which never crossed my mind as a possible destination or crossroad of my missionary journey. My groaning for the gates of Khartoum to be opened for my triumphal entering is lost along with its despair. The harvest is abundant and global. This is, indeed, another lesson for my bird’s brain : we never get stuck with the Lord of surprises.

Talking of missionary experience some people worry, saying “This wanderer has  never been in mission”. I guess God’s answer beats mine: “This is my new Abraham, a wanderer for the Kingdom”. I had been asking God for a sign to confirm my call. He did after my ordination. All that I have been through since 2011 is part of that sign. I told Him recently “Lord its enough now stop playing.” Moreover, if mission was the sole privilege of clerics I would accommodate better their concern. But mission is a prophetic role of all the baptized. I did much before joining the Missionaries of Africa apart from administering sacraments. A great part of my formation was a missionary experience. I have been shaped by the situation of the internally displaced Sudanese in the North, the conflicts between the North and South Sudan, the war in Darfur, the Palestinian conflict, the revolution in Egypt, the political situations in the Middle East and the interfaith relations in all these countries. All these experiences shaped me tremendously and I hope you are  benefiting from their fruits today in Lavigerie House.

AUSTINE: Let’s come to some practical issues; the formation of Missionaries, Missionaries of Africa in particular is considerably long. What is your take on this issue?

FR.GAETAN: Looking at all the challenges of the present age  some people would probably agree to prolong the formation of one or two more years to make sure the young men mature enough. Our society of the missionaries of Africa trusts that our formation programme is well designed to prepare efficiently enough the candidates holistically, and offer enough time of discernment to each one. It’s a lifelong commitment, so we have to think  it over and over again and be prepared for its journey. Considering the seriousness of the matter, our programme “est semper reformanda”-always being improved.  Looking around, our formation is relatively the same as the one of the some other missionary congregations. The Jesuits may even reach 15 years before ordination!

AUSTINE: What word of wisdom would you pass to the young men in formation in the footsteps of Cardinal Lavigerie?

FR.GAETAN: A word of wisdom from Christ: Remain in me as I remain in you and you will bear fruits in plenty (John 15:7). Another from Lavigerie: “Be apostles and nothing but apostles”. The apostles were not supermen, they were human beings, strong and vulnerable, but who put their trust in God and learnt to let go in Him. Use all the opportunities offered to form yourself into being a trustworthy and mature person on whom society can count on.  Intellectual sloth and taking life for granted are generally the pitfalls many find themselves in. Work never kills, but helps us to be talented and fulfilled and fulfilling people. Remember: If you knew it all or had it all, formation wouldn’t be needed.

Die from Ego the serpent
Don’t allow yourself to him relent
Be tilled like the soil
  Don’t allow yourself your Ego to spoil

AUSTINE: Any last word you would like to say?

FR.GAETAN: I am very happy being with you here and we continue the journey together as a community of believers, brothers and formation. I am very happy in our community of formators and grateful to Patrick and Martin who are leaving the boat. With Hans my oldest companion, Arsène and hopefully Yago la lutta continua, the struggle continues.  I am happy to stay some more with you all and prepare yourself for an interesting and challenging time together. We have no privilege to give up on ourselves and our brothers and sisters of Africa particularly. Together for our dream! Yes we Can! In Jesus; Yes we can! Alleluia; Yes we can. Amen!

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