The Capuchin Mission in Burkina Faso is preparing to celebrate its Silver Jubilee this September. These have been twenty-five years of evangelical presence lived under the banner of simplicity, poverty and fraternity, in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. Over the years, the Capuchin Friars Minor have taken deep roots in this land of Burkina Faso, sharing the joys and sorrows of a suffering people and humbly bringing to them the light of the Gospel.
The Fraternity of Bissiga, located in a rural area to the east of the country, is a strong witness to this missionary commitment. Despite the challenges of insecurity, the fraternity in Bissiga embodies a Church that is poor, at the service of the people and in solidarity with them. The parish of St. Padre Pio in Bissiga was born in a difficult rural context but has distinguished itself by its dynamic spirit. The parish has a population of about 11,500 people, divided into nine substations and 48 Basic Christian Communities (BCCs). Although the local language spoken is zaoré, celebrations are held in mooré, in order to foster pastoral unity.
The parish is administered by the Fraternity of St. Padre Pio, composed of three Capuchin Brothers who are passionately dedicated to the mission. Brs. Vianney, Corneille and Ambrose form a close-knit fraternity that combines experience, youthful freshness and evangelical simplicity. Together, they provide pastoral care, are present in families, support church groups and dedicate themselves to daily fraternal service
The mission in a dangerous context
Ever since its foundation, the parish has experienced a climate of constant threat, linked to the growing insecurity in the country. The year 2025, unfortunately, saw an increase in violence: on 7th January, 14 Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland were murdered in Gounghin, one of the substations; in April, Zânkugdo and Pissalin were also hit, and on 26th April, there was an exchange of fire between soldiers and armed groups a short distance from the parish centre.
Despite these trials, the Capuchin Brothers of Bissiga remained steadfast, not giving in to fear. Remaining faithful to their vocation as pastors, they continued with the activities of teaching catechism, visiting the sick and celebrating the sacraments, often in risky conditions. During the Easter Vigil, 79 adults received the sacraments of Christian initiation, in an atmosphere of faith and spiritual endurance.
An imposed exodus and a never-ending mission
The security situation became critical and at the end of last April, the Diocesan Administration decided to evacuate the parish. Almost 95% of the population of Bissiga was forced to flee, often on foot, with what little they managed to take with them. Even the friars, supported by the local population, left the parish centre with pain in their hearts, but serene. They found refuge in Tenkodogo, but did not abandon their people. A Mass was celebrated on 8th May for the displaced people of Bissiga.
However, the pastoral bond continued. Impressed by their missionary zeal, Bishop Koudougou entrusted the Brothers with new missions:
– animation of the diocesan pastoral centre;
– participation in the life of the Cathedral parish;
– spiritual accompaniment of the displaced persons.
A fraternity that bears witness to fidelity and hope
In short, these have been twenty-five years of proclaiming the Gospel in a simple way, twenty-five years of fraternal life among the poor, and twenty-five years of fidelity to the missionary spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. In Bissiga, this fidelity was manifested through the presence of the brothers walking in the storm, in solidarity with a displaced people, sowing hope in the midst of darkness. Their presence, even in exile, reminds us that the Gospel is not extinguished by threats: it becomes light in darkness, tenderness in sorrow, perseverance in trial.
In this jubilee year, the Fraternity of St. Padre Pio reminds us, with its silent but eloquent witness, that the mission continues, that hope remains, and that evangelical fraternity is stronger than fear.