"He who preaches with love, preaches effectively.”
St. Francis de Sales
West Africa
Benin & Ivory Coast
Oblates in West Africa: On October 5, 2025, the Oblates celebrated the closing Mass of the 150th anniversary celebration in Troyes, France. At the celebration, three priestly ordinations from our France-West Africa Province and two diaconal ordinations took place! A festive champagne dinner followed!
Congratulations to Frs. Antoine, Michel, and Laurent, OSFS! And deacons, Sneider and Yerson!
Please say a prayer for them as they start their new ministries!
Benin
Across the globe, the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales are transforming lives by nurturing the mind, body, and spirit through holistic ministries.
In Benin-French West Africa, Fr. Guillaume A. Kambounon, OSFS, recognized a gap in well-being where physical health was often overlooked. In response, he founded the Salesian Marathon of Parakou, promoting the importance of movement as spiritual care. Now in its 18th year, the marathon draws over 1,000 participants from around the world, embodying the Salesian spirit with the guiding motto: “We must do all by love, and nothing by force.” By pairing physical activity with prayer and reflection, the initiative fosters community, joy, and holistic healing. It brings together around 1,000 runners from 10 to 16 nationalities—including local participants and students from Salesianum School in Delaware. As the first event of its kind in Benin, the marathon emphasizes inclusivity and spiritual connection, with every participant receiving a medal engraved with, “We must do all by love, and nothing by force” (St. Francis de Sales). Reaching over 2 million people through media, it continues to be a powerful expression of unity, health, and the Salesian spirit.
Other Key Missions
Oblate Formation Ministry - Serves to form young men for religious life and future Oblate ministries. From youth aspirants, postulants, novices, and scholastics, men have the opportunity to follow their calling.
Student Chaplaincy - Provides faith-based education and spiritual formation to university students ages 18-30.
School Pastoral Care (Parakou) - Implements Salesian Spirituality and educational support for children and adolescents
Boarding House for Boys - Offers safe, quality education and protection for rural school age boys from violence and extremism
Parish Ministries (Parakou & Djougou) - Why It Exists: To provide pastoral care, sacraments, and faith formation in growing communities. The ministries serve over 5,000 people in Parakou; 2,000 people in Alfa-kpara (Djougou), who are in both urban and rural communities.
Salesianum Project - Serves young university students by being a major student center for youth formation in Benin’s first university city.
