This Sunday, March 22, 2026, the Christian Life Community (CLC) of Kinshasa gathered to celebrate World CLC Day, in an atmosphere marked by prayer, formation, and fraternity.

The meeting began around 9 a.m. at the cultural center of Boboto College in the Gombe district, with an opening prayer led by Father Simon-Pierre N’sindu SJ, followed by words of welcome and the presentation of the program by Papa Rémy Ngamba, President of the CLC Kinshasa region.

The presence of the CLC community of Brazzaville gave this celebration a special dimension of communion between communities, even across borders.

After this introduction, participants briefly introduced themselves, each sharing their name, local CLC community, and parish.

Continuing the program, Mama Chantal Wetshi shared with the assembly her reading of the apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia. She recalled that this text by Pope Francis, the fruit of the synods on the family, proposes a realistic, pastoral, and deeply human vision of family life. Far from idealization, the family appears as a place where authentic love is learned, marked by patience, forgiveness, and self-giving. She also emphasized that, in a world often dominated by superficiality, the family remains a school of humanity where hope is forged, while calling for an attitude of welcome and accompaniment toward people living in difficult situations.

After this sharing, all participants walked to Servico for the Eucharistic celebration, the central moment of the gathering. The celebration was presided over by Father Simon-Pierre N’sindu SJ and concelebrated by Father Anicet N’teba SJ, superior of the Saint Peter Claver community.

In his homily, inspired by the readings of the 5th Sunday of Lent—particularly the episode of Lazarus in the Gospel—Father N’sindu SJ showed that Christ is the one who raises, frees, and brings people out of every form of death. He also insisted on the responsibility of believers as mediators of life: not only receiving grace, but also collaborating in God’s work by helping others rise again through concrete gestures of solidarity, listening, and accompaniment. Entering into God’s logic, he stressed, requires accepting that true life often passes through unexpected paths marked by faith, hope, and commitment.

Before the final blessing, Father Anicet N’teba SJ expressed his gratitude to the main celebrant, to the CLC community, and to all the Christian faithful present.

After Mass, a group photo was taken, symbolically marking the unity and shared joy of all participants. The community then gathered—not at the cultural center but on the esplanade of Servico—to continue the day’s activities.

In this convivial setting, Father Simon-Pierre N’sindu SJ, following Mama Chantal Wetshi’s presentation, offered a catechetical teaching on the distinction between an apostolic exhortation and an encyclical.

Regarding the apostolic exhortation, he first recalled that the verb “to exhort” is frequently used in Pauline letters, highlighting a dimension of encouragement and appeal addressed to the faithful.

He explained that an apostolic exhortation is a recommendation addressed by the Pope to the faithful, to consecrated persons, and to all people of goodwill, often following a synod, with the aim of guiding Christian reflection and life.

Pope Francis has written seven in total (Evangelii Gaudium, Amoris Laetitia, Gaudete et Exsultate, Christus Vivit, Querida Amazonia, Laudate Deum…).

As for the encyclical, he explained that it is a papal letter generally identified by its opening words. The encyclical belongs to the ordinary magisterium of the Church and therefore calls for the adherence of the faithful. It does not define new dogmas but deepens and clarifies the faith while taking into account the realities of its time. The first modern encyclical dates back to the 18th century, and the most recent one by Pope Francis is Dilexit Nos.

Father N’sindu also revisited several of Pope Francis’ encyclicals, addressing various themes related to faith, fraternity, and care for creation. He then mentioned Amoris Laetitia, published about ten years ago and signed on March 19, 2016, as a major document offering an updated perspective on the Church’s teaching on the family in light of contemporary challenges.

He encouraged the assembly to read chapter eight of Amoris Laetitia attentively in order to grasp its full depth.

Following these teachings, the couple Nkosi Édouard and Marie-Jeanne Nkosi gave a touching testimony of their shared life, recounting their family experience. Their journey, marked by both highs and lows, remains deeply rooted in hope. With 46 years in the CLC and 50 years of married life, the couple highlighted the decisive contribution of the Christian Life Community to their growth. They emphasized how CLC helped them develop a spirit of prayer, mutual listening, mutual support, organization, and planning in their daily life.

This testimony gave concrete expression to the teachings received, showing how they can be lived out in the reality of a committed and faithful family life.

The meal that followed strengthened the conviviality and fraternity among participants.

One of the highlights of the gathering was the installation of Kevin Bile as secretary of the ExCo, replacing Guelord, who has been called to other responsibilities.

Then, Mr. Clotaire spoke on behalf of the CLC of Brazzaville. In his remarks, he expressed the joy and gratitude of his community for having taken part in the celebration. He shared the realities of CLC life in Brazzaville, highlighting the dynamics of commitment and the challenges encountered.

The day continued with the reading of evaluations, allowing participants to express their impressions, satisfactions, and suggestions for future meetings. Finally, the celebration concluded with a closing prayer in a climate of gratitude and hope.

More than a simple commemoration, this celebration was a true moment of spiritual renewal and fraternal communion, inviting each member to make the family a place of living love and mission, and to embody Christian hope daily in a world searching for meaning.

IWOSO JP Bouckaert SJ