With the consent of the Bishop of Pontoise, Msgr. Bertrand Benoît, on April 16, 2025, and that of the Definitory on July 30, 2025, Father Sergio La Pegna, Superior General of the Congregation of the Fathers of Christian Doctrine, erected the religious house of Bouffémont, composed of Fathers Joseph Mpitabavuma, superior of the Community, and François Nkurikiye.
On June 18, 2025, Father Joseph Mpitabavuma and Father Vicenzo De Martino met in the Diocese of Pontoise with the Vicar General and the Priestly Team of the Doyenne d’Écouen, where the Doctrinaries will exercise their pastoral ministry. Present at the parish priest’s house in Domont-Écouen and Ezanville were the coordinator of the Doyen Priestly Team, the Episcopal Vicar, three assistant parish priests, and the two Doctrinaries Fathers. It was a time of exchange on the urgent pastoral needs of the diocese of Pontoise and the identity, charism, and spirituality of the Congregation. In his mission letter, the Bishop of Pontoise entrusted Father Joseph Mpitabavuma with the youth ministry of the Doyenne d’Écouen.
In preparation for the beginning of pastoral activities on September 1st, Father Joseph arrived in Bouffémont on August 26, 2025, to meet with youth ministry leaders, the two parish priests, and other pastoral leaders. Father François arrived on September 5, 2025.
Here’s the story of Father Joseph Mpitabavuma, superior of the Community. «We were warmly welcomed by the parishioners in the renovated house in Bouffémont, 7 Rue de la République. Since we were without a car for a month and a half, many families helped us with our shopping, 2.5 km away. We thank them so much for continuing to help us, even with paperwork. Our area is multi-ethnic and very peaceful. We have young people who need basic catechesis, and most of them have little knowledge of the truths of the faith. The youth ministry is divided into two groups: the CANA group, made up of college and high school students, and the MAGDALA group, made up of university students and young professionals. At the beginning of the pastoral year, many young people ask to receive the sacraments of Christian initiation—baptism, communion, and confirmation. The Cana group meeting takes place once a month on Sundays, focusing on the year’s theme. It includes singing, meditation on a biblical passage, group sharing, and instruction from the leader (priest or lay person). It concludes with Mass. The young people have requested another meeting called CANA+Bible: a lectio divina on the Sunday Gospel and a “Ciné-Pizza” sharing day, where they can watch a film, discuss it, and then enjoy pizza. Training for leaders and youth leaders takes place twice a year.
For the Magdala group, however, the meeting begins with a moment of entertainment with songs, a time of meditation with the sharing of the biblical text, adoration, and confession. Given the increase in young people requesting the sacraments of Christian initiation, the Bishops have decided to hold a provincial council on the catechumenate and neophytes.
Father François exercises his pastoral ministry in the Bouffémont–Montsult area and at the Notre-Dame-de-France Shrine. In addition to celebrating Mass and funerals, he collaborates with the catechists who provide catechesis to children preparing for communion in the parish of Bouffémont.
Priestly fellowship is deeply felt: every Tuesday we have lunch among the priests of the sector and a monthly lunch for all the priests of the Doyenne. They ask for your prayers so that the mission may bear fruit ».
