In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Chemin Neuf Community has a presence in Kinshasa and Menkao. In Kinshasa, it runs several programs: a community house, the Saint-Paul student residence, the Sainte-Christine parish, and its school. About sixty kilometers northeast of the capital, in Menkao, it also runs the Ubuntu Spiritual Center.
In Kinshasa, brotherhood is lived out with great intensity every day. Father Thomas Prévost, a priest and director of the mission for 18- to 30-year-olds, lives in the community house. He describes a fraternal life “to the power of ten.” His mission is carried out through an association founded by the community, which provides social services to street children.
At this same mission site, three brothers and sisters from the community—who live outside the community house—are employed there and share an office with him.
For Father Doudou Nduelo, country director for the Chemin Neuf Community, fraternal bonds are a way to “step outside of oneself to encounter others.” Fraternal life allows him “to go further in welcoming others, even those who are more difficult for me to accept. It also broadens my perspective on my neighbor,” he acknowledges.
A missionary zeal fueled by the bonds that have been forged
In Kinshasa, community members share many moments of daily life. Frequent invitations to the homes of brothers and sisters who live outside the community house foster a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood on a daily basis. The proximity of the community’s various locations “reinforces the impression that all community members live in the same neighborhood,” Doudou points out. And, he adds, “our missionary zeal is nourished by the fact that we are together.”
“I think there wouldn’t be a mission if it weren’t for the sense of brotherhood here in Kinshasa.”
Thomas Prevost, priest of the Chemin Neuf community
As for social missions, “I think there wouldn’t be any missions if there weren’t a sense of brotherhood in Kinshasa to begin with,” Thomas observes.
“These various social missions grew out of the life of prayer and fellowship of the first brothers who arrived here. It was because the brothers and sisters were together, praying and seeking God’s will, that the missions began to take shape. That is what I keep in mind every day when I go to the office, and what motivates me in the more thankless tasks I have to take on,” he continues.
For Doudou, the country director, fraternity “is a source of strength and a testimony to the mission.”
For more than twenty years, these fraternal bonds have continued to sustain the mission. They are nourished by prayer, shared efforts at reconciliation, and mutual encouragement.
Given the many requests we receive, we must remain vigilant. “This is all the more necessary because of the daily tasks we handle, which often keep us away from home during the day,” explains Thomas.
Although he is often away on weekend assignments as part of his work with young people, he nevertheless makes sure to set aside time for rest and fellowship. “I’ve chosen to be present, as much as possible, for Sunday lunch so I can spend time with the brothers who are at the house,” he says.
Brotherhood as a Battleground
“Brotherhood is a treasure, but it is also a struggle,” Father Bruno Cadoré reminded the members during the 2023 chapter meeting of the Chemin Neuf Community.
This reality is evident in the community’s day-to-day life. As a result, certain issues related to the practical and financial aspects of community life are not always easy to address.
For Thomas, who is originally from France, community life is both a source of great joy and a demanding learning experience. “Even after six years here, I’m still a foreigner. There are still many aspects of Congolese culture that I haven’t fully embraced. This sometimes leads to misunderstandings, or even frustration. But the advantage of our life together is that dialogue remains possible, and that, as a Frenchman, I don’t hesitate to speak my mind.”
“It’s also easier for an outsider to notice certain cultural quirks, but it’s never easy to point them out to your brother or sister,” he says.
In Kinshasa, another challenge is to “encourage open communication so that brothers and sisters dare to speak to one another directly and reconcile, rather than talking about one another.” The committed members of the community have known each other for a long time and share a common history. As in any family, relationships can sometimes become strained. Certain hurts or irritations may then take root and fuel resentment.
In such situations, careful guidance is often necessary. “This sometimes requires defusing certain tensions in order to rediscover a sense of brotherhood,” he concludes.
And to continue growing together in trust and truth, brotherhood remains a precious path that enables us to overcome difficulties and hold on to hope.
Translated by artificial intelligence