The Fraternity of Montligeon was created in 1923 in Benin. To celebrate its centenary, a delegation from Montligeon, led by don Paul Denizot, visited Africa at the end of December 2023. Watch the video of this visit to the heart of the Fraternity Notre-Dame de Montligeon in Benin.
Video tour
The rector of Montligeon gives thanks
“I thank God for the Fraternity of Montligeon in Africa, for its history, its heritage, the dedication of its members and their missionary zeal. The Fraternity is a fulcrum for daring to proclaim Christian hope in Africa.”
Don Paul Denizot
A fraternity with many members
The emissaries from Montligeon found a dynamic and lively fraternity in Benin. When Abbé Paul Buguet created the Oeuvre de prière pour les âmes les plus délaissées du purgatoire [Charity to pray for the most forsaken souls in purgatory], his work became immediately very popular in Africa.
Father Maxime, chaplain of the Fraternity N-D de Montligeon in Benin explains the reasons: “When someone dies here, a lot of ceremonies have to be performed. What the Montligeon sanctuary offers is therefore very close to the hearts of the Christians in our country. That’s why there are so many members.”
The message from Montligeon touches the hearts of the Beninese people
When the delegation arrived, a large number of prayer groups from Benin gathered at Porto-Novo Cathedral. Don Paul Denizot, Father Maxime and Father Nazaire Mabanza answered questions at the Fraternity’s headquarters in Cotonou. “We call this the ‘palaver tree’,” explained Father Nazaire, that’s an old African tradition.
“The message of hope from Montligeon, whilst bringing relief, rekindles the joy of living in God, despite the hardships of life and the loss of loved ones.”
Father Maxime
The delegation from Montligeon then met seminarians at the Grand Séminaire Monseigneur-Louis-Parisot in Tchanvedji and then at the Saint-Gall seminary. They also visited the orphanage Sainte-Famille in Abomey-Calavi. The Diocese of Parakou also extended a warm welcome to don Paul Denizot and his team.
The closing of the centenary of the Fraternity Notre-Dame de Montligeon in Benin
The centenary of the Fraternity N.D de Montligeon in Benin came to a close at the Marian shrine of Notre-Dame d’Arighbo in Dassa-Zoumé. Mass was celebrated by Bishop François G. Gnonhossou.
“When we die, we won’t go into nothingness. We will meet someone, namely Jesus. This is what sustains our faith. So we must pray for the dead.”
Father Maxime
