Maxime Trésors Mvilongo Ateba is a priest in the diocese of Obala, Cameroon. He comes from a large family, in which he is the youngest of seven siblings: five boys and two girls.
He had a normal childhood with childlike dreams: first he wanted to be a doctor, then he was very attracted to engineering which led him from general education to technical education.
After obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, he prepared to enter the Polytechnic School of Yaoundé but was unable to do so that year due to problems with deadlines. He then decided to enroll at the University of Yaoundé I in the Faculty of Science, opting for Physics, a subject that had always fascinated him. It was during that academic year that the story of his vocation began.
"During the summer vacations, I left the city of Yaoundé to go with my family to a small neighboring village called Mfou. While I was there, I met the parish priest of the parish because during my whole stay in Mfou I was an altar boy in the parish.
One day, after leaving Mass, he said to me, "Maxime, do you know that you could be a good priest?" I answered him right away without thinking, "I am an engineer, the priesthood is for literati.". He answered me by making me understand that there were priests who were even engineers. He ended these explanations with a word that has haunted me ever since: "Think about it."
After that conversation that threatened my stability, I decided to make a novena to implore the Lord for the grace to show me a sign, to reveal to me that this path was not mine. The novena ended and I had had no sign, but I was looking forward to it. In fact, deep down, I was afraid of this path that did not fit my dream. I dreamed of being a good husband, very loyal to his wife, with a nice house, a nice car... alas, everything was in danger of falling apart.
Then I decided to let time pass, I said to myself: nothing is wasted, it will surely pass with time. At the end of the vacations I entered the Polytechnic exam with my younger brother who had just graduated from high school, unfortunately I could not get it, however, my younger brother did.
The failure of the Polytechnic exam did not discourage me in my dream of becoming a great engineer, so I continued in college with physics studies while preparing for competitions as was the case with most students in science faculties. One day, while we were in chemistry class, I went to the blackboard to correct an exercise. I no longer remember if I missed it or found it, however I cannot forget these few words that came out of the teacher's mouth: "...with his religious cross".
Those words awakened again, with more energy, the "Think about it" that I had buried deep inside me. After much struggle I decided to accept this new path that constantly presented itself to me, and it was then that a great peace came over me. I decided in my heart that after the licentiate I would apply for the major seminary when I was in my second year.
In fact, I had such a great idea of the priesthood that I could not commit to it until I was willing to sacrifice everything. In fact, I had to give up my dream of getting married, I had to give up my dream of becoming an engineer, I had to give up the physics I loved so much. To the astonishment of my friends, I replied that I would do more good to men by being a priest than by being a brilliant physics professor. In fact I told myself for months that I could not give up such great ideals, such great dreams for something less courageous, for something that would not deserve so many sacrifices.
From that day on, the "adventure" began. I call it adventure because I felt inside me that I had just destroyed everything I was sure I had. I was throwing myself into something, so the only certainty was faith in what I felt deep inside me. However, from time to time, the doubt would resurface: "what if I was wrong". Fortunately, this doubt gradually faded throughout my formation until it finally disappeared on the day of ordination on April 26, 2019.
For me, the priesthood has always been something very great and it is only by God's grace that one gains access to it. Besides, this journey with God continues to be an adventure because when I leave my life in God's hands, He becomes its master.
Now my adventure continues in Rome. I walk alone, but God knows where he is taking me. For my part, I would do anything to never stop walking.
I am convinced that it is only through fidelity to his will that I will be able to do much good for the Church and especially for my diocese. Indeed, the Diocese of Obala is a young diocese, 33 years old; its geographical location makes it a rural diocese. Almost all of its faithful live in isolated areas, which often makes pastoral work very difficult.
The parish of Nsem where I spent my diaconal internship is, for example, one of the most isolated parishes in the Diocese. For Sunday pastoral care we left at 6 a.m. and returned to the presbytery at 8 p.m. after having celebrated four Masses. In fact, the villages were laid out along a long route of more than 160 km, a journey we made by motorcycle on a road where walking is the least dangerous activity.
Currently the Diocese of Obala has 60 parishes and more than 160 priests. We are relatively protected from the need for pastors, one can run the risk of stating that. However, the need for well-trained priests in the Diocese of Obala remains urgent. Undoubtedly, to meet this need, I am in Rome to study communication with the aim, later on, of making the diocese better known not only inside but also outside. In fact, a structure that does not know itself cannot understand itself and cannot develop. Therefore, the need for communication and above all for good communication is obvious."
"I am very happy with your support and even more so when you do not know me. Thank you very much for this divine act because I am sure that it is God who inspired you there. I promise to pray for you so that this great work to which you have dedicated yourselves will never fade away.
As I have just told you, you have shown great kindness to a priest who comes from very distant horizons and you have done so in almost total ignorance of his identity.
I ask you once again to accept the expression of my profound gratitude for the act of great importance that you have done for me. I promise to keep you present at every Holy Mass.
May the Lord Jesus, who saved us by his death on the Cross, bless and favor you."
