french mass

‘Better for My Spirit’: French Mass Aids Communication with God

By Gretchen R. Crowe
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the Issue of 3/8/07)

They greet each other as family inside the small chapel at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, with warm hugs, “Comment ça va?” and three kisses on alternating cheeks. Every Sunday at 10 a.m. a small community of French-speaking Catholics gathers to worship as one in their native tongue. The wooden pews and long stained-glass windows provide a haven for this group, which is mostly made up of Africans from Francophone (French-speaking) countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, the Ivory Coast and Togo.
Though many of the parishioners who attend the French Mass are registered at local parishes, it is clear that the gathering at Ireton’s chapel is their “Church.” The native African dress worn by some, the rhythmic music and the use of African dialects during the Liturgy of the Eucharist bring a taste of home to these displaced faithful.
“It reminds me of my childhood,” said Nita Evele, who moved to the United States from the Congo 10 years ago. “We all were Catholic and we went to Catholic school. It just reminds you of so much back home and you feel at home.”
Father Jean-Claude Atusameso, in residence at St. Mary Church in Alexandria, said that the weekly French Mass, which is part of the diocesan French ministry effort called “Our Lady of the Rosary,” is meeting a “big need” in the diocese. French-speaking parishioners would call the Office of Multi-Cultural Ministries looking for a way to make their confessions in French, and the staff would consistently refer them to Father Atusameso, he said. As a result, “Our Lady of the Rosary” was born, and Father Atusameso organized weekly Masses and regular times for confession last May.
The group began with only 10 people, but has been gaining members steadily, he said.
“We are happy and lucky,” said the priest, who is studying Canon Law at Catholic University in Washington. “We are hoping with time it will grow.”
The homily, readings and some songs were in French; other songs and prayers were in local African dialects.
“Mass is in French, but sometimes we can sing with the African language because it is our way of expressing our faith,” Father Atusameso said.
Despite the universality of the Church, it is the need for this expression of faith that draws Catholics, whether French, Mexican, Filipino, Korean or Vietnamese, to celebrate Mass in the language in which they can best communicate with God.
“It is much better for me to pray in French,” said Theresa Kinsala, a native of Congo who has been attending the French Mass since its inception. “I have better communication with God. God understands all languages … but (praying in French) is better for my spirit.”
Raphael Bibanda Mpanu Mpanu and his wife, Germaine, both from the Congo, agree.
“I find that I pray well and I understand well the words of God, because it’s in French,” Germaine said, speaking in French.
“I’ve never practiced English,” said Raphael, a former journalist who traveled often for business, but didn’t move to the United States until recently. “I am from a French-speaking country, and I’m 70 years old.” In order to communicate with God, he said, “I must speak in French. It’s my mother language.”
Getting together with other Africans — who she called her family — is another reason why Germaine attends the weekly Mass.
“I find the same ambience that I got in Africa,” she said.
Father Atusameso said he believes that the French ministry will begin to flourish as it becomes more widely known. And not only African French-speaking Catholics may attend. In fact, Jolie Kimbunda said the congregation is going to start reaching out to others to join in the special worship — “not just Congolese, but people from different countries that speak French.”
Father Atusameso even invited non-French speaking Catholics to the liturgy, offering to provide volunteer translators.
He called the diocesan French ministry a “wonderful gift the diocese has given to all these people.
“All these people were in need of praying in French,” he said. And now they can.
For more information contact Father Atusameso at 301/768-1399 or jeanclaude_atusameso@yahoo.fr.

Gretchen R. Crowe can be reached at gcrowe@catholicherald.com.