Awakening to JPIC: A Grace‑Filled Beginning in Togbè
The morning light over Togbè carried a quiet promise as OLA Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) coordinators from across the Institute gathered at the Daughters of the Sacred Heart Centre for what would mark the beginning of an eleven‑day journey of reflection, formation, and renewed missionary purpose. From 10–22 August 2026, Benin becomes the meeting point of hearts and commitments, a place where Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation are not only discussed but lived.
The first day opened with a prayer that set the tone for the entire session—simple, intentional, and beautifully prepared by the JPIC organising team. It was more than a liturgical moment; it was an invitation to breathe together, to recognise the Spirit already at work among us. What followed was a warm exercise in encounter: each participant paired with a sister she had never met before, sharing stories, hopes, and the quiet motivations that brought her to this mission.
A Call to Responsibility and Vision
The Province of Benin, represented by Sr. Nicole Houinato, Provincial Assistant, offered the first official welcome. Her words were both grounding and prophetic. She reminded the coordinators that JPIC is not an abstract ideal but a concrete responsibility—one that demands awareness, involvement, and courage. Drawing from Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ (common good) and its insistence on intergenerational justice, she posed the question that would echo throughout the day: What kind of world are we preparing for those who will come after us?
It was a question that lingered, challenging each participant to examine her own role in shaping that future.
JPIC as Conversion: A Mission for Today’s Peripheries
The opening address of the Congregation Leader, Sr. Mary T. Barron—delivered by Council Member Sr. Anne Falola, member of the Congregational leadership council—deepened this reflection. JPIC, she affirmed, “is not merely a programme but a path of conversion, a missionary response to the cries emerging from today’s peripheries”. Coordinators, she said, are “midwives of this conversion,” accompanying communities toward a radical shift in mindset and missionary choices.
Her message concluded with the encouraging words of Pope Leo XIII (true peace): True peace disarms fear, reawakens hope and restores the human family. With this, she invoked the intercession of the founders and Mary, Queen of Apostles, before officially declaring the session open.
The Eucharistic Celebration
The opening Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Anicet Agoli‑Agbo, SMA Provincial of Benin‑Niger. The presence of OLA sisters from neighbouring communities added to the sense of communion. The Eucharist became a moment of collective offering—of intentions, of labour, of the shared desire to let God’s justice and peace take root.
Commitment in Practice
Each entity presented its JPIC commitments, challenges, and ongoing initiatives. The diversity of contexts revealed the richness of the Institute’s mission—and the urgency of strengthening collaboration across borders.
As evening approached, the tone softened. Participants entered a time of personal reflection, sharing their feelings, questions, and the sometimes‑heavy realities faced in their respective missions. The day closed as it began: in prayer, entrusting the journey ahead to God.
A Day of Grace and Beginnings
The first day of the OLA JPIC Coordinators Session was more than an administrative opening. It was a moment of awakening—of hearts, of responsibilities, of shared vision. It reminded each participant that JPIC is not a task but a way of life, a commitment to letting God’s reign of justice and peace break into our world through our choices, our communities, and our missionary presence.