His vocation can be traced back to his childhood. He never lost sight of his desire to become a missionary. A Comboni missionary talks about his vocation journey.

My name is Ocloo K. Elisée. I was born on 14 June 1988 in Noépé in southern Togo, into a Catholic Christian family. My vocation has its roots in my childhood. From a very young age, I felt a deep desire to serve God as a priest. This calling intensified after I read the story of the Ugandan Martyrs in class; it was a story that had a profound impact on me.

I realized that there are still people who have never heard the Good News of salvation, and therefore do not believe that Jesus Christ came to save humanity. From that moment, my desire to become a missionary priest and share the message of Christ with others was strengthened. I was part of the CV-AV group. This group supports children in their spiritual growth by providing a nurturing environment in which they can deepen their faith.

Through engaging activities, prayers and biblical teachings, the group learns to live by Christian values. The group emphasises the importance of charity, solidarity and love for God. After completing the first cycle of secondary school, this desire remained within me. However, after completing the second cycle of secondary school, I put this calling on hold to pursue a career in teaching. However, despite this professional path, I never lost sight of my faith, and my connection to Christ remained quiet yet unshakable, illuminating every step of my journey.

During my time at university, I experienced a resurgence of my vocation with such intensity that I could no longer bear the thought of continuing an active life. Inspired by this inner calling, I made the resolute decision to deepen my relationship with Christ and to live in intimate and profound friendship with Him. I surrendered myself to Him. Through prayer and apostolate, He helped me nurture the desire He had placed within me. I then spoke to a Comboni missionary priest, who kindly agreed to help me discern this path. During our meetings, he guided me in developing this profound relationship with Christ and experiencing the love of the Lord who calls.

I then started proclaiming Christ to those around me and sharing themes centred on Christian life with them. After spending a year as an aspirant, I entered the Comboni Postulancy in Adidogomé on 9 September 2014. After three years there, my superiors offered me the opportunity to continue my training at the International Novitiate of Saint Daniel Comboni in Cotonou, Benin. This privileged time enabled me to develop a closer personal relationship with God and experience an intimate encounter with the centre of my life. I also had the chance to deepen my knowledge of our founder, Saint Daniel Comboni, discovering his life, charism and spirituality. I am deeply moved by his unwavering faith and trust in God, as well as his passionate dedication to the mission.

The time I spent in the novitiate was a decisive period in which I learned to internalise the formative values and evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience. The environment was ideal for the maturation of my discernment, supported by spiritual guidance and direction. Through communal and apostolic experiences that I cherished deeply, I encountered the demands of consecrated life and the Comboni mission, discovering their profound beauty. These experiences were pivotal stages in my development, refining me and enabling me to grow in my vocation.

Following my request, I was admitted to the first profession and took my vows on 4 May 2019 in Cotonou. From August 2020 to May 2024, I studied theology at Tangaza University in Nairobi, Kenya. During my formation at the scholasticate, I came to understand that conversion is an ongoing process that requires daily practice and constant renewal of commitment.

I took my perpetual vows on 14 July 2024 and was ordained a deacon on 27 July of the same year in Aného. On Saturday 21 December 2024, I was ordained a priest alongside 25 others. I thank the Lord for the invaluable gift of the priesthood, and I dedicate myself entirely to Him, asking for His help to serve His people with love and unwavering loyalty.

I will be in charge of missionary animation. Recognising the challenges faced by missionary animation in the present day, and acknowledging God as the divine author and source of the mission, I will organise engaging activities tailored to various age groups, including youth, adults and families. Drawing upon tangible testimonies and encounters with missionaries, I will inspire zeal and awaken hearts.