Aicha Settimia Canté, the daughter of a Muslim imam from Guinea-Bissau, has taken her temporary vows as a Catholic nun, describing the moment as a response to God's call.
Aicha Settimia Canté, 27, daughter of an imam from Guinea-Bissau, made her first religious profession with the Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Spirit on August 15. The celebration took place in the Diocese of Bissau on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
For Aicha, this moment represents an answer to God’s call. During her thanksgiving, she expressed that her heart was "overflowing with joy, emotion, and deep gratitude." Originally from Safim, the young woman was baptized and received Confirmation before beginning her journey toward consecrated life.
During the service, Aicha thanked the religious sisters, formators, and spiritual directors who accompanied her throughout her discernment and formation. She shared that their teachings, counsel, and acts of love were instrumental in strengthening her vocation.
Bishop Emeritus of Bissau, Most Rev. José Câmnate Na Bissign, who presided over the ceremony, encouraged the new nun to view her vocation as a divine mission and to always keep her relationship with God at the center of her life. He also emphasized the importance of prayer and thanksgiving when facing the challenges of the Christian path.
The religious profession took place under the motto attributed to Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus: "In the heart of the Church, my Mother, I will be love."
The event also sparked attacks and offensive comments on social media due to her family's Muslim background. In response, the National Confederation of Islamic Youth of Guinea-Bissau condemned the hate speech and defended freedom of conscience and religion, recalling that respecting a person's religious choice does not necessarily mean sharing it.
The group called for respect, fraternity, and dialogue among Muslims, Christians, and people of other faiths in Guinea-Bissau.
ACI