The Archbishop of Libreville, the Most Reverend Basile Mvé Engone, established the Institute apostolate in the capital city of Gabon in 2009 as Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. Since then the Institute has undertaken to build a large parish church from the ground up in order to shelter and to inspire the many hundreds of faithful who have flocked to the Parish since the early days of its foundation. The government of the country has offered its encouraging support as well.

At first, the parishioners gathered in a building which was readily available to serve as a large temporary chapel, while the colossal concrete framework of the future church was under construction. For the past couple of years, the regular Masses have been held in the basic setting of this large concrete structure of the church, appropriately disposed with provisional furnishings, as the parish community continues to grow and develop.

Thanks to Divine Providence, another important step in this church building project has just been completed with the installation of the azulejos stones for the façade and bell tower.

The azulejos are glazed colored tile traditionally used as an ornamental art form in Portuguese architecture for the exterior and interior of buildings, homes and churches for the past several hundred years. Handmade and painted in Portugal according to the artistic design and layout created by Abbé Alexander Willweber, a clerical oblate who serves as the Institute’s Intendant of Sacred Art, these azulejos stones were installed by Portuguese workers during the month of January under the supervision of Abbé Willweber.

While the contours of the façade are in a classical Roman style, the azulejos depict the Nativity of Christ the Infant King, as well as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and the three holy patrons of the Institute, St. Francois de Sales, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Benedict. Thus this artistic façade is a wonderful invitation for the onlooker to enter the church for his spiritual edification. Indeed, beauty has a primary role in evangelization, since it attracts and uplifts the soul to make the opening steps in its journey to God.   

The next step of construction includes a square in front of the church which will be in harmony with the decorative façade.

All are invited to pray for Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, for the clergy who serve there, as well as for the completion of this grand endeavor for the good of souls!