On October 7, 1999, a team of Clerics of Saint Viator, including one Haitian and four Canadians, boldly and with determination embarked on a new missionary adventure in West Africa. After a 24-hour journey, they arrived in Ouagadougou, the country's capital, where they discovered a new culture, customs, clothing, and a very different climate. One member recalls the team's declaration: «In the name of Christ, let us open the paths of the Gospel!»
After twenty-six years of presence in this very welcoming and warm country, yes, we can say that paths with an evangelical flavor are open before us and that obviously, the Lord has gone ahead of us. The Community currently consists of 37 African religious, one Canadian religious, one Haitian religious, three novices, and three postulants.
Thanks to the support of the Viatorians from Canada and other countries, several NGOs, parents, friends, and benefactors, we now have the responsibility for four high schools that bring together 4575 learners in this 2025-2026 school year in Ouagadougou, Saaba, Banfora, Boassa, and Bagré. The Bishop of Banfora also entrusted us with the charge of a new parish in 2004, in the name of our patron saint. Since 2020, a Viatorian student residence has been built in Saaba, which also allows us to accommodate other religious and diocesan priests in training at some universities in the capital.
And in the capital's suburbs, in Bagraogo, a novitiate and a welcome center were established in January 2025 for the training of the region's inhabitants, to meet the community's needs.
After only a century of evangelization, the Church-family is well established in this West African country. It is vibrant, dynamic, and inculturated to local customs and habits. For example, in Burkina Faso, it is customary to ask visitors for «news» upon their arrival, after offering the traditional glass of water. The news is shared while seated. This custom also applies to Eucharistic celebrations where, at the time of the Gospel reading, the congregation is invited to sit down to listen to the good news.
In Africa, it's important to celebrate our faith in beauty and joy. Time doesn't matter. That's why, during liturgy, there are often traditional dances, processions accompanied by rhythmic singing and supported by the sound of djembes, balafons, koras, and xylophones. Often, there will be as many people outside the church as inside due to lack of space.
Yes! In the name of Christ, the journey undertaken gives reason to hope for the continuation of the Viatorian mission in the land of upright people. Whether in the arid soil of the north or the green granary to the south, the heart of this population remains receptive, welcoming, and open to the word of God, lived, deepened, and celebrated. Undoubtedly, seeing the results of the vitality of the Church-Family in Burkina Faso (priestly vocations, male and female) and the mothers and fathers who are catechists, a certain continuity is emerging for the future of the evangelization mission in Burkina Faso.
