Throughout the five-day program, the participants shared moments of prayer, fraternity, and missionary reflection. They concelebrated the Eucharist, exchanged pastoral experiences, and encountered the life of the local Church—both in urban and remote rural settings.

Today, young confreres represent more than one-third of the SVD presence in Chad. In their sharing, a common spirit emerged: a deep gratitude for their missionary vocation and a strong readiness to assume greater pastoral responsibility. Despite the challenges—particularly in ongoing language studies—the group expressed enthusiasm for intercultural missionary life. As one sentiment echoed among them: none regrets being in Chad.

Their visits included several parishes, religious communities, and a meeting with the local bishop, Samuel Mbairabé Tibingar, the young and first bishop of Koumra. A recurring appeal resonated deeply in their hearts: “Come back—we need missionaries.” The bishop expressed his intention to formally request the SVD to take on at least one new parish in the diocese, underscoring the urgent need for missionary presence.

This appeal was further affirmed during a visit to a religious community, where a missionary sister spontaneously offered a prayer for the establishment of a new SVD mission house. Her prayer was both a gesture of thanksgiving and a heartfelt expression of the local Church’s longing for more missionaries of the Word in Chad.
In just five days, the experience left a profound impression on the group. Many expressed their openness—even eagerness—to respond to such missionary calls in the future.

Now in its sixth year, the Under-5 formation program continues to be a vital space for ongoing formation. It strengthens fraternal bonds among young missionaries, fosters collaboration between the SVD and local dioceses and congregations, and provides firsthand exposure to diverse missionary realities. Notably, SVD confreres in Chad actively contribute to diocesan and national associations of religious, reflecting their growing role in the local Church.

Above all, the program affirms the importance of immersive missionary experiences in the formation of newly assigned confreres across SVD Provinces, Regions, and Missions worldwide.