Daughter of a Guinea Bissau imam has made her first profession as a Catholic Religious Sister, describing the milestone as a response to God’s call and a moment of “joy, emotion and profound gratitude.”

Aicha Settimia Canté, 27, made her temporary profession on August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Spirit (CDS).

The celebration took place in the Catholic Diocese of Bissau and was presided over by the Bishop emeritus of Bissau, José Câmnate Na Bissign.

“Above all, I want to give thanks to God for calling me, choosing me and sustaining me until this moment,” Sr. Aicha said in her thanksgiving speech, adding that her heart “overflows with joy, emotion and profound gratitude.”

Sr. Aicha’s religious vocation has particular significance because she comes from a Muslim family background. She is the daughter of an imam and is originally from Safim. She was baptized at Our Lady of Grace Farim Parish of Bissau Diocese and received Confirmation at St. Anne Mansoa Parish before embarking on her journey in Consecrated life.

Her profession highlights the coexistence of different religious traditions in Guinea-Bissau.

In her address during the August 15 Eucharistic celebration, Sr. Aicha thanked Bishop Na Bissign for presiding over the celebration.

“Thank you very much for accepting to preside over this celebration, which is so meaningful to me. Your presence made this day even more beautiful and full of meaning,” she said.

She also expressed gratitude to the Superior and Sisters of her religious congregation for their accompaniment throughout her formation.

“Each one of you contributed to my formation and to the strengthening of my vocation,” she said.

Sr. Aicha also acknowledged the formators who accompanied her through her formation, including during her study of French, Postulancy and Novitiate, saying their teachings, advice and gestures of love helped her grow as a Christian woman and Religious.

She Aicha further thanked those who accompanied her spiritually and helped her discern her vocation.

“Vocation is a Divine mission”

In his homily, Bishop Na Bissign urged the young Religious to embrace her vocation as a mission of faith and dedication to God.

He emphasized that responding to God’s call requires determination, a generous response, and a willingness to serve, noting that God continues to call men and women to participate in His plan for humanity despite the challenges facing young people today.

According to the Bishop, a vocation should not be understood simply as an individual choice detached from mission, but as a response to God’s plan.

“It is a Divine Mission,” he said, emphasizing the responsibility of those who place themselves at the service of God and humanity.

Bishop Na Bissign also described faith as essential for navigating life and overcoming its challenges.

“Those who do not have faith in God find themselves completely disoriented,” he said, urging those responding to God’s call to keep their relationship with Him at the center of their lives.

He also highlighted prayer and thanksgiving as essential elements of the Christian journey and called for a permanent relationship with God amid personal and social challenges.

‘In the heart of the Church, I will be love’

The temporary profession was celebrated under the motto attributed to St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, “In the heart of the Church, my Mother, I will be love.”

Bishop Na Bissign presented the Virgin Mary as a model of response to God’s call.

“Mary is the complete response to God,” he said, adding that she represents “the ark of the new covenant” because of her willingness to receive and fulfill God’s will.

The Catholic Bishop also highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church’s mission, describing the Spirit as “the principal companion of the Church.”

Attacks on social media

Sr. Aicha’s religious profession also attracted offensive comments, personal attacks and hate speech on social media, particularly because of her father’s identity as an imam and her decision to embrace Catholic Religious life.

The situation prompted the National Confederation of Islamic Youth in Guinea-Bissau to condemn the attacks and defend freedom of conscience and religion.

The organization expressed “deep concern over the wave of offensive comments, personal attacks and hate speech” that circulated on social media following news of Sr. Aicha’s religious choice.

The Islamic youth organization recalled the Quranic teaching that “there is no compulsion in religion,” and called for the Islamic faith to be expressed through peace, mercy, justice, tolerance, wisdom and respect for human dignity rather than insults, humiliation, threats or persecution.

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