Entrust your vocation to the Blessed Virgin

I was born and baptized on March 5, 1959, in Bafoussam, Cameroon. I was later ordained a priest by Bishop André Wouking on July 1, 1989, in the same town. My parents were very religious. As a family, we prayed every morning before going to morning Mass, and every evening before going to bed. I had plenty of opportunity to watch priests closely, and was always struck by their sense of service to everyone. During Mass, I was moved by their prayerful attitude at the altar, especially at the breaking of the Bread. This is why I decided to become a priest too.

In 5^th grade, I confided to a nun in Europe, Sister Marie Pierre, my intention to become a priest. She told me: "Entrust your vocation to the Blessed Virgin, she will help you." From then on, in all my prayers, during every Holy Mass, I spoke with the Mary about my vocation to the priesthood and asked her to protect this vocation so that nothing would divert it.

I have experienced many trials in my journey as a priest, and I still do. In the beginning, some family members opposed my decision, telling me I should be the one to support the family financially because I was good at school. I went to a classical program high school in Bafoussam, where some teachers turned their course into a pamphlet against the Catholic Church to discourage me. In particular, I had serious problems when I served as a pastor in Matoum, a parish that had a large political prison at the time. I visited that prison regularly and witnessed the suffering of the prisoners and many human rights violations. I had to do something to change things there.

This being said, I have had many joys too, some very exhilarating and even mind-boggling. First of all, the joy of being a priest of Jesus Christ; the joy of speaking about Jesus; of serving Him; and of celebrating the Eucharist every day. My joy is to exercise my ministry in very difficult but challenging conditions. My joy is to take care of destitute, underprivileged and orphaned children. To this end I have founded an orphanage, which for 31 years has already welcomed more than 300 children, most of whom are now integrated into society. How beautiful it is to serve Jesus by serving one's brothers and sisters!

Father Philippe Kahake, priest of the diocese of Bafoussam, Cameroon.

Adapted from an interview with Jean-François Channon Denwo for La Croix

See: Association d'aide aux orphelins du Cameroun - AAOC