Cameroon Mill Hill Missionaries: ‘Baobab Mass’

Bamenda: Departed Mill Hill Missionaries and Friends of Mill Hill in Cameroon remembered

On Thursday 17th November 2022, Friends of Mill Hill gathered at the St John the Baptist Church, Foncha Street Nkwen, Bamenda for the “Baobab Mass”. The Baobab mass is celebrated every November to pray for deceased Friends of Mill Hill and missionaries. Hundreds of faithful gathered at St John to remember missionaries who baptized them, gave them First Holy Communion, confirmation and blessed their marriages. The chief celebrant was Fr Michael Corcoran, the General Superior of the Mill Hill Missionaries. There were over 20 priests in attendance.  

In his homily, Fr Michael Corcoran explained that “the death of a family member or friend can break us and create grief in our hearts. Death is not the end but a passage to new life. While we have pain of separation, God’s mercy and compassion rests on them as we mourn for them. If we believe in God, his power and love, we will rise”

The General Superior added that as Christians we are invited to preach the Gospel, to help us know God and to ask for mercy to keep us closer to his heart. He appreciated Friends of Mill Hill for having taken up the responsibility of caring, supporting and praying for their own sons who have been sent on mission. He concluded by begging Mary to keep us close to her heart and that she may always pray for us. At the end of Mass, the Coordinator of Friends thanked the Friends of Mill Hill for their love and support to the missions and the Mill Hill Missionaries.

The part two of the occasion continued in the Parish hall. It began with the launching of a book written by Fr Charles Berinyuy (the Rector of St Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary Bambui) titled “The Mill Hill Missionaries in Cameroon 1922-2022.” It was followed by cultural jamboree performed by the students in formation and Mill Hill priests. The celebration ended with crydie corn and meal to celebrate the living and the dead.

Anthony Ndang MHM