On 1 May, the Feast of Saint Richard Pampuri, the Patron Saint of the Interprovincial Novitiate in Lomé (Togo) and the African Province of Saint Richard Pampuri (Bénin-Togo), thirteen young men entered the Novitiate during Morning Prayer. Brother Donatus Forkan, the Superior of the West European Province acting on behalf of his other Provincial confreres, entrusted these young men to their Novice Master, Brother Jacob Ketchen, who will provide them with the Formation they need in the Hospitaller Religious Life. During the same celebration of Morning Prayer six Scholastics renewed their simple vows in the hands of Brother Rodrigue, the Superior of the African Province of Saint Richard Pampuri.

During the celebration of the Eucharist in honour of Saint Richard Pampuri, at which Brother Hugues Assou presided, seven novices made their simple vows in the hands of Brother Paul Marie Taufana, the Superior of the French Province.

These evente were all celebrated in a wholly African Hospitaller and brotherly atmosphere.