Members of the Commission for Partnership in Mission for the Conference of Redemptorists for Africa and Madagascar visited the Lay Partners in the Vice-Province of Matadi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The week-long visit was from the 11th to the 17th of August, 2022.
The President of the Commission, Lady Judith Agu, LSM, and the other members of the Commission, Rev. Fr. Kingsley Ebodaghe, C.Ss.R, Fr. Charles Kusika,C.Ss.R and Bro. Kenneth Themba, C.Ss.R., met with the lay partners in the Vice-Province of Matadi at interactive sessions, which were insightful and a time for knowledge and experience sharing.
The Commission members and the lay partners were also happy to have the Coordinator of the Conference for Africa and Madagascar, Fr. Noël Sottima, C.Ss.R, with them.
First Profession in Mbanza-Ngungu – Photo with the Newly Professed. 
Meeting with the Lay Partners of the Vice-Province of Matadi.
During the interactive sessions, the Lay Partners were enlightened on the contents of the Directory for Partnership in Mission and the Ratio Formationis for Partnership in Mission.
The Partners, who were filled with enthusiasm, welcomed the Commission members and shared their experiences from existing collaborations with the professed Redemptorist in the Vice-Province. They assured their commitment to Partnership in Mission and availability to work with the Congregation in diverse ways. The need for constant formation and accompaniment was highlighted during the meeting.
While in Congo, members of the Commission also took time to celebrate with the seven newly professed Redemptorists from the West Africa Vice-Province and the Vice-Province of Matadi.
The colourful celebration was filled with joyful moments with lay partners present, showing the richness of the Redemptorist family.
The Commission, in the course of the visit, also took time to meet and deliberate on Partnership in Mission in Africa and Madagascar and diverse ways to promote synergy between the lay partners in the Units of COREAM.
At the end of the visit, the Commission commended the Vice-Provincial Superior, Jean-Robert DIYABANZA LUYINDULA, C.Ss.R., and the Confreres for the warm hospitality and also the Lay Partners for the memorable experience.
Lady Judith Agu, LSM
President, Commission for Partnership in Mission, COREAM
