Democratic Republic of Congo – March 2025 – On Saturday, March 15, the Salesians of Don Bosco from the Africa Congo Congo (ACC) Vice Province in Kinshasa and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) in Brazzaville gathered simultaneously in two of the world’s closest capital cities. The spiritual renewal retreat took place at the Comboni Missionaries' Provincial House (Limeté-Kinshasa) and at Don Bosco Massengo in Brazzaville respectively. After the morning prayers, the SDBs and FMAs attended conferences. Fr. Kevin Kupa, a former student of Don Bosco and now a priest in the Congregation of the Sacred Heart, along with Fr. Jésus Senga, SDB, led the reflections on the theme: “Lent, a Time of Hope.” After a period of meditation and a Gospel sharing session on the Second Sunday of Lent, all participants were given time for personal reflection and confession.

The retreat also included moments of communal sharing: a shared meal and Eucharistic concelebrations, presided over in Kinshasa by Fr. Cléophas Kikelula and in Brazzaville by Fr. Léon Antonio Tshibangu. In Brazzaville, during the retreat with the FMAs, the Provincial Superior, Sr. Verra, concluded the day with a Salesian Goodnight message.