The soft but persistent ringing woke me from an interesting dream with a jolt. For a moment I was confused about the source of the offending sound, then I realised it was my wake-up alarm. I leaned resignedly across my bed to stop this important but unwelcome noise. It was 5:30am. I wished I could sleep a little longer, but I knew if I had to be with the parishioners for morning prayer (Lauds is said with the worshipping community at 6:15 AM before mass at 6:45 AM. The presiding priest usually leads the community at Lauds) then I must get up. Sitting at the edge of my bed with my head in my hands and my elbows on my knees, I spent some five minutes thanking God for the gift of a new day, and particularly for letting me be a part of it. I thanked him for my family, friends and parishioners and after asking Him to be by my side in the course of the day, I went to shower.

It was a Tuesday and therefore a working day. Mass was over in thirty minutes. As I came out of the sacristy a little crowd was gathered at the door waiting to have various objects blessed. These included rosaries, medals, crucifixes, salt and water. I blessed them and wished those who brought them a blessed day. After greeting a few people I went to the confessional to hear confessions. About twenty-five to thirty people were already waiting. It was 7: 25am. An hour later I looked over where the penitents were seated and just four were remaining. As I finished with them, I stood up to go and discovered there were two more (of course I had to sit back).

Confessions over, I went over to the parish house. As I entered, I could see my parish priest (Fr. Augustine Houessinon, SMA) was already in the office busy receiving people. A small crowd was seated outside his office waiting their turn. ‘Morning, padre’ I greeted.  ‘Your Excellency! Good morning’ was the enthusiastic reply. We chatted briefly and I went to my office to check my diary about the morning’s appointments. I had two, plus the blessing of a workshop at 11: 30am.  I went to the kitchen to sort out the day’s meals with the cook and as I passed by the dining table I remembered I had not taken breakfast. It was already past 9am and my first appointment, with the officers of the youth groups, was at 9: 30am. I quickly took a glass of orange juice and went to the office.
Done with my appointments and back from the blessing of the workshop at about a quarter to 1pm, we gathered in the living room, myself with the other priests: Fr. Augustine, Fr. Claude Temple, SMA (resident with us but working with the street children), Fr. Jules Doganou (a diocesan priest working as a parish priest in a neighbouring parish, but resident with us) for Mid-Day prayer and lunch. Siesta afterwards was a welcome activity. At 4pm I was back in the office to receive two young people (youth and children ministry is a major aspect in my pastoral life). At 5pm I put my mass box in the car and hit the road for our newest outstation called St. Jean Eaudes. It is a vibrant outstation just outside the university walls, and as expected, made up of mainly students. There I heard confessions from 5:30pm to 7pm followed by mass.
I finally left St Jean Eaudes at about 8: 15pm after listening to those who wanted to see me after mass. Some had their problems taken care of immediately, while others had to wait until after I had discussed their issues with the parish priest. As I drove back home, I leaned back in my seat and enjoyed the powerful rhythm of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Not a bad day, I thought.  And as my parish priest would say, ‘toute est grace’!

Fr. Osbert Egbe, SMA.

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