Our Order Abroad
Cameroon Mission
The Minim mission in Cameroon is not only a spiritual mission of the Order of Minims, but also a concrete effort to help the local community. It promotes education, health care, and hope for those who need it most.
The Beginnings of the Mission in Cameroon
In August 2010, we opened a novitiate in Messamendongo, one of the outlying neighborhoods of the capital city of Yaoundé. The novitiate house belonged to a Christian organization active in the parish, and it became our starting point for spreading the faith and helping those in need. The mission is part of our order’s international activities, and from the very beginning, we have strived to combine spiritual life with concrete service to others.
Spiritual and Pastoral Services
The mission is led by Fr. Milan Jura, OM, a Czech Minim native of Haná. He serves as the delegate for Cameroon, the local superior, the novice master, and the pastor of the pilgrimage site and sixteen chapels. Every Sunday, we celebrate four Masses in the main church and additional Masses in remote chapels. The farthest chapel is 26 km from Nkilzok, and the journey is often arduous, but meeting people who haven’t seen a priest in a year gives our mission a profound meaning.
Community Support and Social Projects
We strive to support the local community, which faces high unemployment and diseases such as malaria and AIDS. We help poor families, pay school tuition for children, and support schools that are short on teachers. We are launching projects to promote economic self-sufficiency—growing cocoa on 3.5 hectares, planting fruit trees, and raising goats, chickens, pigs, and fish. This work teaches not only us but also the local people the value of work, responsibility, and hope.
Cooperation and Connections with Vranov
Our mission is closely linked to the Minim monastery and the parish of Vranov u Brna. The local parish actively keeps us informed and supports us—financially, materially, and spiritually. The Tertiaries from Vranov participate in many activities, ranging from paying for children’s school tuition to providing sports equipment that helps local young people develop their talents even in their free time.
Life in the Novitiate
Father Milan Jura, Father Max, and lay friar Alain work in the Nkilzok community alongside five novices. The formation of novices and postulants is one of the mission’s key pillars. Daily life is a combination of prayer, work, study, and service to others. In addition to the spiritual aspect, we also support physical development—for example, through soccer, where we joyfully celebrated a victory thanks to soccer cleats from the Czech Republic and Italy.
The Connection Between Faith and Service
Our mission is not just about religious service, but also about providing practical help and building hope. Every project, every Mass, and every game on the soccer field is an opportunity to deepen our faith, share joy, and teach the community to live a meaningful life. For us and for the local people, the Minim mission in Cameroon is a place where spiritual life intertwines with everyday reality, and where every day brings new challenges as well as great joys.
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