notes from roMe By the Most Rev. Joe Roesch, MIC Father Rogatien Ntsana, MIC, a Marian priest from Cameroon, is currently studying in Rome. He was ordained five years ago. Let’s get to know him in his own words. “I was born into a strongly Christian family, the son of the late Daniel Ze and Lucie Bouan, the second child in a family of seven. I come from St. Joseph de Mbegue parish in the Diocese of Doume-Abong-Mbang. “My grandfather, Antoine Ntsana, was a catechist in the Christian community, and my grandmother Sophie Minkos helped him in this service. It was in this climate of daily prayer that I grew up. My father was also a catechist. As for my mother, it was thanks to her that I discovered and came to love the beauty of liturgical chant. Today, her commitment is very limited because she became blind 13 years ago at the age of 47. “As for my Marian vocation, in 2006 I met Fr. Francis Filipiec, MIC, who founded the Marian mission in Cameroon. I was touched by the charism. I started monthly meetings in 2007 and, in 2010, I began postulancy. “On Aug. 3, 2019, at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Atok, I received the Sacrament of Holy Orders, recalling the words of Scripture, ‘Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine’ (Is 43:1). “Our mission in Cameroon comprises three communities: the parish and shrine of the Divine Mercy in Atok in the Diocese of Obala; the parish of St. John Paul II in Minkama; and the Bl. George Matulewicz House of Formation, for novices and seminarians. “In our parishes, we imbue our charism with a variety of pastoral activities, including services for the faithful and, above all, sharing our Marian spirituality with the younger generations through the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception. “As youth chaplains, we had a slogan, ‘He lives and He wants you to live.’ We took part in diocesan pilgrimages with the young people and children, composing songs in line with the theme of the pilgrimage. I also did two years of family ministry. “I then became the postulant moderator and spiritual father of the confrères still in formation at Ngoya. This was an important moment of taking the future of our Congregation to heart, and thus assuming greater responsibility. “Now I’m in Rome, a very rich experience with community life in all its diversity and the opportunity to visit the Eternal City and the historic sites that have left their mark on the Catholic faith. I’m currently studying Pastoral Theology at the Pontifical Salesian University, specializing in youth ministry. These studies will be a great help to my spiritual and human growth. In our mission in Cameroon, it will be an instrument for the New Evangelization, and for vocational pastoral care (welcoming, listening, and accompanying). I am also learning how to share the Bible with parishioners. “I never cease to express my gratitude to my superiors for this opportunity which allows me to feel the heartbeat of our Congregation and the universal Church. Clearly, this multifaceted renewal allows us to move forward for Christ and the Church.” Please pray for Fr. Rogatien and all of our student priests here in Rome! CALLED TO SERVE The Marians arrived in Cameroon, on the western coast of Africa, 25 years ago. Today, 10 priests serve in three communities: Atok, Minkama, and Ngoya. Communities of Divine Mercy seek to set people free from fear and poverty, proclaiming hope and the promise of a dignified way of life. TheMostRev. JoeRoesch,MIC,is thesuperiorgeneralof theMarianFathersof theImmaculate Conception.Helivesin Rome.Listento hispodcastsi,ncluding“SaintFaustina’s Diary in a Year,” on TheDivineMerc.oyrg/podcasts and DivineMercyPlus.oprogd/casts. Marian Helper • SuMMer 2024 • Marian.org 7 Father Joe talks with Fr. Rogatien Ntsana, MIC
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