BSVM is highlighting different alumni each month who share the ways in which they are living into the charism and mission of the Sisters of Bon Secours years after their time with BSVM. Each alum has been marked by stories of compassion, healing, and liberation from their community and ministry placements, and their lives now reflect aspects of their growth and transformation, from informing how and where they work to decisions related to neighborhood placement, community life, and more. We are grateful for their continued faithfulness in being Good Help wherever they find themselves.
By Armel Mignondje
2022-2023 BSVM Alumni
Graduate of Notre Dame
The charism of the Sisters of Bon Secours has continued to influence me and provide ways for God to enter my life. This last spring, I started volunteering at Room in the Inn, which is a place for unhoused people in Nashville. One of their volunteer opportunities involves serving breakfast to anyone who walks through the door. During one of these instances, I had an experience that reminded me of God’s personal love.
After serving food, the volunteers can eat breakfast, sharing a meal with the people there. I hadn’t eaten breakfast that morning, so naturally, I took the opportunity when it was allowed. I sat next to someone who was able to live at Room in the Inn. He told me about his life, including the good times with his romantic partner, her eventual death, some of his struggles with his daughter, and his previous life on the streets. He mentioned God during our conversation and painted a picture of God as a loving figure who was guiding him and taking care of him. I could tell he deeply believed this. Unknown to him, I felt burdened from school and its pressures, but our conversation reminded me of God’s faithfulness and the freedom that comes from God holding our lives, which lightened my heart.
Looking back, what I offered to this man by just listening benefitted me more in return. In that moment, I think we offered each other healing and both shared in a mutual liberation that comes from God, and embodying
Bon Secours Volunteer Ministry pillar “Learning through Service with Others,” we walked with each other during that encounter, which led to our mutual service teaching me about God’s love.