History of the Parish
The Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception has arrived in the Diocese of Yopougon since September 8, 2014. It is used for Saint Mary Magdalene Parish who was established as a parish on April 27, 2015 by My Lord Jean-Salomon Lezoutié, initially personal parish for the English-speaking community of the Yopougon area, she became since the 2015-2016 pastoral year, 'territorial' parish housing both the English-speaking community of the Yopougon area (mostly Nigerian) and French-speaking Christians living at the Military Camp. However, it is worth noting that It was a chapel called Nativity. It is located at the Military Camp between the terminus of bus 37 and the terminus of the Gbaka. These two communities coexist peacefully and are supervised and led by a presbyterial team of Conceptionist priests.
Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception
BLESSED LUIGI MARIA MONTI
Founder of the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception, layperson consecrated in the Church, called 'father' out of veneration during his life and after his death, the father is born in Bovisio (Milan) in 1825. When he was young, he succeeded in renewing the Christian life of the village with a group of his age that he loved mainly through his example. Unjustly slandered, He endured prison with his companions for 72 days. At 21 he devoted himself to the Lord forever. He passed 6 years with the Sons of Mary where he received training according to the spirituality and was a volunteer nurse for 3 months in 1855. With Fr. Dossi, his spiritual director, and Cipriano Pezzini, a nurse from Cremona, he planned to form a charitable congregation that he organized himself in the Hospital of the Holy Spirit in Rome, where he had arrived in 1858. A hospital employee with multiple roles, in Orte (1868-1877), Monti, a consecrated man, left a testimony of dedication and high qualification among all social classes in helping the infirm as 'the poor of Christ'. Named Superior General of his congregation in 1877 He gave him his original appearance and his mind. In 1886, he opened the first shelter for orphans in Saronno to educate like sons and to 'keep as the apple of the eye'. It is there that he died on the 1st October 1900 leaving to the people of God the testimony of a life rooted in faith, of uncommon strength, of a selfless giving to the suffering neighbor, in the name of the 'Immaculate Mother'.
The life of the Patron Saint of the Parish
SAINT MARY MAGDALENE
Mary Magdalene, or Mary of Magdala, also called Mary Magdalene in the Gospels, is a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth who follows him until his final days. This important figure of Christianity is mentioned at least twelve times in the four Gospels canonical, more than most of the apostles.
Place of birth : Magdala, Israel
Place of death Ephesus, Turkey
Parents : Eucharis, Cyrus
She is the first to meet the risen Christ, she is the first to bear witness to him before the Apostles. That is why she was even called 'the apostle of the Apostles'.
Besides Mary, mother of Jesus, the gospels speak to us of several Marys. Today we celebrate Mary of Magdala, Mary Magdalene from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons. Since then, she followed him everywhere he went, being part of that group of women who served the Master and the apostles. At the crucifixion, she stands at a distance, but after the descent from the cross, she follows Joseph of Arimathea, notices what is happening, and will return, with another Mary, on Easter morning for the burial rites. It is she who will first receive the revelation of the risen Christ when the gardener makes himself known. 'Rabbouni, Master' is his act of faith. The cult of Mary Magdalene experienced significant development in France at Sainte-Baume, in the south of France, and especially at Vézelay.
- She is the mistress of the diocese of Var – From the earliest Christian centuries, penitents, saints, kings, popes come to complete their pilgrimage at the cave of Sainte-Baume near Saint Mary Magdalene. (diocese of Fréjus-Toulon) - Mary Magdalene will henceforth be the subject of a liturgical feast (Vatican Radio): 'Saint Mary Magdalene is an example of a true and authentic evangelist, that is to say, an evangelist who announces the joyful central message of Easter. Pope Francis made this decision precisely in the context of the Jubilee of Mercy to signify the importance of this woman who showed great love for Christ and who was so beloved by Christ.' Arthur Roche, archbishop secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
- The church of Charnay-lès-Mâcon is dedicated to him.
- Mary Magdalene is often depicted in the churches of Saône-et-Loire.
- Mary Magdalene: The woman who fought for holiness and for the proclamation of the Good News, Mass in Magdala, a small village in Galilee where the saint lived (Christian Media Center)
Delivered from seven demons by the Lord Jesus, she attached herself with love to His steps, followed Him to Calvary, and deserved, on the morning of Easter, to see the Savior risen from the dead and to bring to the other disciples the announcement of the Resurrection.
“Woman, why are you crying? Whom are you looking for? The one you are seeking, you possess Him and you do not know it? You have true and eternal joy, and you cry? He is in the innermost part of your being, and you search outside. Your heart is my tomb. I am not dead there, but I rest alive forever.”
(Prayer of an unknown 13th-century monk) Roman Martyrology
The presbyteral team is made up of 4 priests led by the Reverend Father Valéry Nicaise AMIAN, parish priest since 2025.
The entities of the Parish are composed of Offices of the Parish Pastoral Council (Anglophone and Francophone), of the Council for Economic Affairs Office (Anglophone and Francophone), of four (04) Commissions, of two (02) Coordinations, and of four (4) Pastorals.
The Parish's Ongoing Projects
- The Construction of a R+3 Building
- La Rénovation de la Chapelle d’Adoration
- Purchase of chairs (Lenten Effort, one Parishioner one chair)
- The enlargement of the church
The construction of the rectory