He already met Robert Francis Prevost twice, before he became Leo XIV. But welcoming him into the Basilica of Saint Augustine of Annaba, the first Pontiff in history to go to Algeria, is a great emotion for Father Dominic Habakuk, prior of the community of three Augustinians who keep alive the presence of this order – to which the Pope also belongs – in the places where Saint Augustine was born and was bishop for 34 years until his death in 430. At the foot of the basilica located on a hill in Annaba there are the archaeological remains of Hippo, an ancient Phoenician and then Roman city, which experienced great development in the imperial age and became a bishopric. Not far away is Augustine’s birthplace, Tagaste, and nearby the ancient city of Madaura, where he completed his studies.
Augustine’s story is not just a story relegated to the past. Then as today, he is a figure that transcends the centuries and acts as a bridge between different places, peoples, cultures and religions: the two coasts of the Mediterranean, the Arab and Western worlds, Christians and Muslims. «Even today», confirms Father Dominic, «he is perceived as an illustrious son of this land, where almost the entire population practices Islam, but also as a beacon for Christians. When Leo proclaimed himself the “son” of Augustine, people thought he was his very distant descendant and expected that sooner or later he would return “home”. We are all honored by your visit, Christians and Muslims». Father Dominic interprets the feelings of the very small Catholic community present in the diocese of Constantine-Hippo. He himself, at the moment in which Prevost was elected Pope – on May 8 which is also the liturgical feast of the 19 martyrs of Algeria – hoped that he would make his first trip to this country. A wish that came true.
In the Basilica of Sant’Agostino Leone will celebrate the only Mass scheduled for the Algerian stage. This church is the only one in the entire diocese. In the other seven communities there are only small rooms also used for celebrations. Catholics, moreover, number a few hundred, almost all foreigners. «Our community is mainly made up of sub-Saharan students who attend the universities of Annaba, thanks to scholarships, plus some passing migrants and some workers», specifies Father Dominic, who comes from sub-Saharan Africa like his two brothers.
He is originally from South Sudan, but met the Augustinians in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he met the then prior of the order Prevost for the first time. The brothers are Father Fred Wekesa, who comes from Kenya and is the rector of the basilica, and Father Leviticus Shailong, originally from Nigeria. Together they guarantee the welcome in the church of Sant’Agostino and the celebrations, the accompaniment of the small Christian community and they go with the increasingly rare groups of pilgrims to the places of the saint. «When I arrived here in 2014 it was strange to see African priests and there was a bit of prejudice and mistrust. Now things have changed.”
Not just in Annaba, but throughout Algeria the Church, both in its personnel and among the faithful, has increasingly taken on an African face. There are fewer and fewer Europeans. As for Algerians, Christians are few in number and almost always live their faith in hiding. «Our presence is peculiar. Most of the people we welcome in the basilica are of Muslim faith. Sometimes, in the summer months, we get to have a thousand visitors a day.”
Some know the story of Saint Augustine, others discover it here, and also discover the small Christian presence in Annaba which is also made up of five nuns from the Little Sisters of the Poor who run a home for the elderly. «It is a service much appreciated by the population, who is also extremely generous with the nuns. It is above all thanks to the gifts of Muslims that they can continue this work”, points out Father Dominic.
Leone will also visit this reality, as well as privately meeting the three Augustinians. He will go to the excavations of Hippo, which he already knows having already been there twice: in 2001 for a conference on Saint Augustine and in 2013 for the reopening of the basilica, after the restoration also financed by the Algerian government. «In the wake of that great conference», explains Father Dominic, «we have resumed promoting every year of the Augustinian Days with in-depth conferences on the figure of Augustine. This also encourages meeting, exchange and mutual knowledge between Christians and Muslims. We think his visit will further encourage people to learn more about Saint Augustine. We are ready to continue this mission of ours.”
