Bamenda, Cameroon | 21st–23rd August 2026
From the 21st to the 23rd of August 2026, members of the Lay Associates of St Ann (LASA) gathered in Bamenda for their Second National Congress. The Congress brought together members from the LASA branches of Yaoundé, Bafoussam, Kumbo, Fuanantui and Bamenda, accompanied by the Sisters of St Ann who work with them in their respective communities.
The gathering was held under the theme:
«“From Gratitude to Mission: Building a Vibrant LASA Family, Rooted in the Spirit of Carlo Tancredi and Giulia di Barolo and Inspired by 40 Years of the Presence of the Sisters of St Ann in Cameroon.”»
The Congress was a moment of thanksgiving, reflection, formation, fellowship and renewed commitment to the mission and spirituality of the Lay Associates of St Ann.
A Call to Quality and Commitment
The Congress officially began with an opening word from Sr Carine, the Delegate Superior of the Sisters of St Ann in Cameroon. In her address, she laid particular emphasis on the importance of LASA being qualitative and not merely quantitative. She encouraged the members to focus not simply on increasing their numbers, but on deepening their commitment, strengthening their spiritual life and becoming authentic witnesses to the charism and values of the Congregation of the Sisters of St Ann.
The participants were also greatly encouraged by a special message from Mother Francesca, the general superior of the sisters of St Ann, and her Council, who joined the gathering through Zoom. Their words of encouragement strengthened the sense of communion between LASA Cameroon and the wider family of the Sisters of St Ann.
Walking in the Footsteps of the Founders
Two important talks marked the formation aspect of the Congress, and each presentation was followed by reactions and contributions from the LASA members.
The first talk was presented by Sr Felicitas Ngum on the theme, “Walking in the Footsteps of Our Founders.” In her presentation, Sr Felicitas gave a brief history of the lives of the founders, Carlo Tancredi and Giulia di Barolo, describing their journey and witness as an important landmark for all those who desire to follow in their footsteps.
She reminded the participants that walking in the footsteps of the founders means being on a pilgrim journey with them and like them—a journey marked by faith, love, compassion and service to humanity. The talk invited every LASA member to rediscover the rich spiritual heritage of the founders and to allow their lives and values to inspire their own Christian witness and mission.
The second talk was given by Sr Pascaline Bi, who stressed the importance of helping children and young people to find their rightful place in society. She emphasized that correction and formation do not necessarily require shouting or beating, but should be carried out with love, patience, concern and understanding. Her presentation called on parents, educators and all members of society to accompany children and youth in a manner that promotes their dignity and holistic growth.
Prayer, Witness and Sharing
The Congress was enriched by a meaningful prayer service led by Sr Veraline, which created a space for reflection, prayer and spiritual renewal.
A particularly touching moment was the personal testimony shared by Mama Nganda, a member of the Yaoundé LASA branch. She spoke about her own experience of marriage and how she and her spouse strive to live in communion with one another. She explained that their love and unity as a couple have opened their hearts to the needs of others, especially the poor and vulnerable children. Through their concern for humanity, they have been able to reach out and support children, helping them to grow in a holistic way.
Her testimony was a living witness to the fact that love lived within the family can become a powerful source of mission and service to society.
Reports from the LASA Branches
Another important aspect of the Congress was the presentation of reports by the various LASA branches. Each branch shared an account of its activities and experiences over the past four years since the First National Congress.
The reports provided an opportunity to look back with gratitude at the journey so far, to celebrate achievements, to acknowledge challenges and to identify areas requiring greater attention. The sharing also helped to strengthen the bonds among the various branches and encouraged the members to learn from one another.
Dedication of New Members
A joyful moment of the Congress was the dedication of five new LASA members. Their dedication was a sign of hope for the future and a reminder that the LASA family continues to grow through members who are ready to embrace the spirituality, values and mission of the Sisters of St Ann in their own state of life.
The celebration of daily Masses nourished the participants spiritually and remained at the heart of the entire Congress. The Eucharist strengthened the communion of the members and renewed their commitment to live their faith in concrete service to others.
A Spirit of Fellowship
The Congress was not only a time of formation and prayer but also an occasion for genuine fraternity. Fraternal meals provided opportunities for members from the different branches to interact, share experiences and strengthen the bonds of friendship and family.
The participants also had an outing to the Bamenda Cathedral, where they were warmly welcomed and taken on a guided tour by the curate. He led the group through different parts of the Cathedral, explaining the significance of important places and objects within the building. The visit helped the participants to appreciate more deeply the beauty and symbolism of the sacred space.
From Deliberations to Mission
As the Congress drew to a close, the participants entered into deliberations on the pertinent issues that emerged from the reports and discussions. These reflections and decisions are expected to serve as resolutions for LASA Cameroon, guiding the way forward and helping the different branches to strengthen their identity, mission and activities.
The Second National Congress concluded with a closing Mass, during which the participants gave thanks to God for the many graces received throughout the three days.
The LASA 2nd National Congress was truly a journey from gratitude to mission. Inspired by the 40 years of the presence of the Sisters of St Ann in Cameroon and rooted in the spirit of Carlo Tancredi and Giulia di Barolo, the members returned to their respective branches renewed and encouraged to build a vibrant LASA family.
As they move forward, the Lay Associates of St Ann are called to continue transforming gratitude into concrete action—living in communion, witnessing to the Gospel and reaching out with love and compassion to those in need. May the spirit of the Congress continue to inspire every LASA member to walk faithfully in the footsteps of the founders and to become a vibrant missionary presence in the Church and in society.
