The author, who is majoring in social work at the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos (UNO-R), Bacolod City, tells how her life has been transformed by a group of Sisters who live their Catholic faith with the belief that ‘A Child Redeemed is a Generation Saved’. Richelle has been involved in campus journalism since elementary school.

It takes brave and selfless hearts to create history that is meant to change the lives of thousands of people around the world. However, the day in 1982 when a group of Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family stepped on Philippine soil for the very first time was more than just creating history. They were transforming the future. I can really feel this - for I am one of those blessed girls whose lives have been changed and whose future has been transformed because, once upon a time, there were brave and selfless hearts who dared to start their mission despite all odds.

When I was a kid, before I had been introduced to the Sisters, I considered those religious women with a piece of cloth wrapped around their head (that seemed to me to replace their hair) and whom I always saw carrying rosaries and Bibles, as weird, strict and absolutely boring. In fact, I viewed them to be totally different in almost all areas I could ever imagine. They had surrendered everything to God while I couldn’t afford to give even an hour of my entire week to Him. They were godly. I was worldly. Since then, I began wondering what it would be like if circumstances would play a joke on me by making me live together with nuns.

Then several years later, as my second semester in college was approaching, I woke up to the alarming truth that I had nowhere to run. I was sixteen years old that time - old enough to admit that the situation wasn’t a joke but for real. 

How I lost myself

I was trapped. I realized that if we will get caught with limitations, our tendency is to look back or at least try to recall the piece of the puzzle that we have put in the wrong place. I remembered how my sister and I would fight because we didn’t have enough rice to eat. I remembered the time I heard myself praying that if there was a heaven, I hoped Papa was there. I remembered the enthusiasm I had right after graduating from high school. I remembered the broken promises … the false hopes … the unmet expectations … the feeling of being trashed. I remembered the day I went to UNO-R wearing a borrowed school uniform that wasn’t my size and a borrowed pair of shoes that didn’t fit me. I remembered trying to fix things. I remembered how I failed.

How I found myself

My life changed forever the day I started living with the Sisters. I learned that my wrong impressions about them should not last. For the very first time, I encountered Sisters who were fun to be with, doing ordinary house chores and filling the role of mother for many children whom they accepted, supported and loved as their own.

I found myself believing and dreaming again upon reading this line printed on the gate while waiting for somebody to open it the day I decided to stay in Holy Family Home, Bacolod City: A child redeemed is a generation saved. Eventually, I nodded my head in agreement. Then Sr Alma Alovera TC, from Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay, opened the gate and that was my first night with the Sisters.

Holy Family Home of the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters aims to welcome, protect, and rehabilitate children and youth in order to attain their integral formation and assure them of their Christian participation in society. It is a refuge for girls who have been abused and maltreated.

How I found others

The Sisters have taught me one of the greatest lessons about life: I am not alone. Because of them I am reminded that there are many people who suffered more and who badly needed help. The world is not just for me! Day after day, I could say that my desire to become a social worker is strengthened because of the Sisters, Ate Amie Tibus, the resident social worker, and the other girls in the home. It’s a noble act to be a light for others and to love them too. I feel very glad every time Sister Dora Hernandez TC, from Colombia, sends me to join in outreach activities. The emotion I feel when in the midst of my nothingness, I can still become an instrument in painting smiles and bringing enjoyment for my brothers and sisters is indescribable. Unconsciously, memories like those tell me that ordinary people possess extraordinary and inspiring stories that will prove to us that we can simplify complicated facts about living.

Just like me, I have witnessed how the girls who are my companions manage to move on after the darkest experiences that they have been through. They are able to go to school, to develop their potentials in singing and dancing, among others, and to be trained for independent living. They are part of the generation being saved. 

How I found God

I can call this part of my existence the turning point because just like the vertex of an angle, everything in me started to twist the moment I had discovered God’s presence in my life.

The Holy Family Home girls are given the opportunity to reflect on the Gospel and to understand the doctrines of the Catholic Church better. Even though we have imperfections, hang-ups and weaknesses, we are guided towards the Christian way of life. Many girls with different stories and personalities mean a lot of patience, prayers, and love and intervention strategies from the Sisters together with other professionals. Undoubtedly, sometimes we are trouble-makers capable of tantrums and disobedience but the Sisters still continue to influence and bring out the best in us.

To meet Jesus after being like a lost sheep is such a wonderful gift. If Fr Luis Amigó OFM Cap, who founded the congregation and who was later a bishop, and the first group of Sisters hadn’t listened to the call of God or if they had gotten easily discouraged by all the frustrations and lack of resources they had to face at the beginning, what would have happened to us now? That’s it. This world needs brave and selfless hearts to create history that will touch lives and transform the future. We are the future and we praise God for bringing the Capuchin Tertiary Sisters to the Philippines. I praise God for making my way meet their way!

You may email Richelle at rich_verde706@yahoo.com.ph

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THE CAPUCHIN TERTIARY SISTERS IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family, founded at the shrine of Our Lady of Montiel in Benaguacil, Valencia, Spain, on 11 May 1885 by Fr – later Bishop - Luis José María Amigó y Ferrer OFM Cap, came to the Philippines from Spain in 1982. Down the years they have had Sisters from that country as well as from Colombia, Guatemala, Panama and Costa Rica working here.

The website of the Terciarias Capuchinas de la Sagrada Familia, www.terciariascapuchinas.org , gives the following brief account of the Sisters’ presence in the Philippines:

In 1982, a group of Sisters from the Immaculate Conception Province arrived in the Philippines, responding to the invitation of the Capuchin Fathers and the Archbishop of Manila, to be in charge of the spiritual care of youth in risky situations, to work among the poor, to teach catechism and give health care to the most needy.

The existing houses in 1988, were integrated into the Missionary Project of the Congregation and in 1993 they were created a General Delegation.

The Sisters are now present in: Cebu City, Makati City, Bacolod City, Talisay City (Negros Occidental) and Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay.

On 25 March this year the General Delegation became a Vice-Province, incorporating the communities in the Republic of Korea and the future mission in India. Already three Sisters here in the Philippines have been asked to go there: Sr Dora Maria Vargas, a Colombian who has been in the Philippines for more than ten years, and two Filipino Sisters, Sr Anselma ‘Emma’ Bawag from Cavite and Sr Lorena Sacal from Zamboanga Sibugay, The new Vice-Province has seventeen Sisters from Latin America and Spain and 23 Filipino Sisters. One, Sr Nida Galera TC, is on mission in Tanzania and had an article, The Right to be Here, in the November-December 2007 issue of Misyon. In addition there are eleven Filipino novices and thirteen postulants.

The Vice-Provincial Superior is Sr Maria Elena S. Echavarren TC, a Spaniard who is a former superior general of the congregation. She is based in Luis Amigó Friendship Home, 235 Pelaz St, 6000 CEBU CITY.

By: Mindy Miñoza and Belinda Pantaleon

In the USA the Columbans have established the Columban Affiliates program. The executive director is Ariel A. Presbitero from Sta Ursula Parish, Binangonan, Rizal, who worked as a Columban lay missionary in Brazil and Peru. The Columbans worked in Ariel’s parish for many years. His email address is ariel15brasil@yahoo.com (please note the‘s’ in ‘Brasil) . Many Catholics want to answer God’s call for them to become missionaries, but don’t see themselves making a life-long commitment to overseas cross-cultural missionary work. You can learn more about the Columban Affiliates atwww.columban.org/content/view/257/1.

Below are the stories of two women from the Philippines who work in Los Angeles and who see their professional work as an expression of their being missionaries.

A Call to Care for the Elderly

By Mindy Miñoza

Mindy Miñoza is a Columban Affiliate in Los Angeles who works full time as a caregiver to elderly patients. Mindy is from San Antonio Village, Cebu City, and has been involved with the Columban Affiliates program since December 2006, participating in Christmas caroling, the Affiliates’ ‘Dancing for the World’ event and other Affiliates’ activities. She also assists Columban Father Peter Kenny in promoting Columban Mission magazine in the Los Angeles area.

‘If only people would care more – and perhaps many don’t know how – we would not need paid caregivers like me in the first place’, I told fellow Columban Affiliates at one of our gatherings in Los Angeles.

When I become a caregiver to an elderly patient, my first obstacle is building a relationship with him or her. I must build a bridge from the unknown to the familiar. Establishing this relationship opens the door to the types of care I need to provide.

My most recent patient isn’t unique. Like most patients I have worked with for nearly a decade, she suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. The illness is all too common for elderly people, who suffer from memory loss, irritability, impatience, mood swings, sleeplessness and disorientation. Because I know of the difficulties associated with Alzheimer’s, I know how important it is for me to establish a good relationship with the patient.

Dealing with seemingly impossible cases is not new to me. An incident I will never forget was when a patient yelled at me and asked me to leave her home because she was annoyed that someone was around. Perhaps she was confused because of her illness or she simply wanted to be on her own.

But, I couldn’t just leave her, so I walked to another part of the house for a few minutes and then returned. When I came back, she asked me where the other lady was. There was no other woman, of course, except me.

The Challenge of Unconditional Love

Sometimes in these situations, you need to be tough. You have to accept the impossible, because caring for these people is your job, and they are unwell, physically and psychologically. You must understand them, even if they will not understand you. To sustain such a relationship is a daily challenge. Just to be present for somebody who is in need makes a lot of difference in giving meaning to life.

But I’m only human. I am going to be hurt no matter how confused or disoriented the patient is. The only thing I can do is to hold on to God. Sometimes, I look out the window and ask God to give me more patience and understanding to do my job.

There are moments that are so difficult to handle, but I pray for God to give me more strength and courage to continue. I cannot complain, because I know God is always there with me and the people with whom I work and live.

I’m so grateful to God that I can make a difference in people’s lives. Sometimes I ask myself why I am doing this. They are not my family, yet I find a home with them. The last few years of their lives become significant for me up until their last days. I am there entrusting their frail human bodies to God, and I pray for an easy passage to eternal peace for them as their souls rest with Him.

I have received awards and recognition for being faithful about what I believe is the best care I can give. But I hold tight to the basic and fundamental philosophy in life beyond these praises, which is unconditional love needed to serve my patients well. I am happy when I see patients improving and enjoying the last years of their lives. To see them happy and healthy motivates me to give them the best quality care.

Caring for the elderly is my God-given mission. I don’t work just for money; I work for God by being able to care for people in nearly impossible situations. I see myself being a missionary to the people with whom I work. They need care, assistance and love, especially at this latter stage of their lives.

These people gave so much during their prime, so now it is time for them to receive well-deserved care and live dignified and happy lives. Each day, this is my challenge.

The Gift of Self

By Belinda Pantaleon

Belinda Pantaleon is the vice principal of Our Lady of Talpa School in East Los Angeles. Her journey as a missionary started in high school when she met Columban Father Bernard Martin, who inspired her to become actively involved in Student Catholic Action. She is from Roxas District, Quezon City.

Q: What inspires you to support the work of Columban missionaries?

A: How could I not support the Columbans? They are doing the work of God, the work God wants everyone to do, which is doing the will of God. I especially like their work with the poorest of the poor. That is what I am doing right now. I am working in an inner city where children are poor – not only materially, but also poor in other aspects, such as being deprived of attention.

Q: What qualities of Columban missionaries are striking to you?

A: Columbans have given their gift of self – unconditional love for others – and, I think, much of who I am right now has been inspired by them. I had a role model in Fr Bernard Martin. I became a member of Student Catholic Action, and I have seen Columban priests doing the same ministry and work.

As I was growing up, I wanted to become like the priests: to be able to offer my service to work for other people and not to be conscious about how much money I was going to make. I wanted to think about always giving to the needs of others – how I could give more of my self.

Q: How do you see yourself participating with the Columbans in the United States?

A: I said ‘yes’ to the invitation to become a Columban Affiliate. Since then, I have attended Affiliates meetings and enjoy reading Columban Mission magazine, which raises my global awareness, especially since I am away from the Philippines.

learn more about the Columbans’ social justice and peace initiatives, which I strongly support. Friendship has blossomed among Columban Affiliates, and I think we share the same vision.

In our School, I introduced the Columban Awareness Program to students and faculty. I have just received the Columbans’ new mission education program (Journey with Jesus). As a vice principal, this program gives me many opportunities to initiate activities related to Christian mission work.

Q: How can we invite more people to participate in and support mission work?

A: My life itself is a mission, I am not a ‘preachy’ type of person, but in most of my relationships, people are influenced because of who I am. I think my everyday witnessing to the life of Jesus Christ is the gift of self.

What helps me is my prayer life. There’s not a day that I don’t attend the Eucharist. In the morning liturgy I offer everything to God, especially my most difficult experiences.

I make people aware of the need to help others, and people ask where my motivation comes from. I often say that people are not used to the monotony, the regular rhythm of life. If people get used to this rhythm, they could easily change and find more meaning in life. If life is not giving you meaning, at least you can give life a meaning. If your day is not meaningful, give meaning to that day. It is in your power.

I feel like I am falling more and more in love with God, whom I need in my work, the people with whom I work and with the children in my school.

Q: How are you inspired by Columban missionaries?

A: I am thankful and feel blessed to live and grow with Columban missionaries. When I first approached Father Martin, I was questioning and telling him ‘I don’t believe in God’.

What he said was, ‘the fact that you don’t believe in God means you actually believe in God. You are searching for God’. The next thing he said was, ‘if you are searching for God, God is searching more for you.

I couldn’t forget that. Father Martin is such a wonderful person who has a passion for people who have a need to meet God.

At our school, Columban Father Arturo Aguilar, current Columban Regional director in the USA, celebrated the Eucharist with us at the end of our school’s Columban Mission Awareness Program. We have frequently invited him back because of his vision of Christian mission and encouragement to continue our connection with the Columbans, who are such an inspiration in my life.

By Rowena Cuanico

Since 1 June the author has been Lay Mission Coordinator  in the Philippines.

This Filipina grew up around Muslims, but only learned about the people and their faith as a Columban lay missionary.

As a child in the Philippines, there were about 30 Muslim families, mostly traders, who lived in my hometown. Two of these families were family friends, but I never had the courage to learn more about Islam and the lives of my Muslim neighbors.

I had uneasy feelings about Muslims, largely because of the ongoing conflict between Christians and Muslims on the island of Mindanao, the Philippines’ large southern island where about four million Muslims live.

The images and stories I have heard from the media about the conflict are terrible and gruesome. The strife in Mindanao has claimed many innocent lives, displaced thousands and retarded the development of this resource-rich island. There have been signs of hope and peace — peace talks, peace agreements and cease-fires. But oftentimes, these signs quickly disappear.

Being a Columban Lay Missionary

 

As a Columban lay missionary, part of our formation program in the Philippines was an exposure trip to the Prelature of Marawi in northwestern Mindanao, a part of the island where Columban missionaries have worked for decades. In Marawi City, about 95 percent of the people are Muslims.

The exposure provided us with a rare opportunity to meet Columbans who are involved in the ‘dialogue of life’, promoting understanding, unity and peace between Christians and Muslims. The late Columban Father Des Hartford, who was then the apostolic administrator of the Prelature of Marawi, and Columban Father Paul Glynn led our immersion experience.

We arrived in Marawi on a Saturday morning with ‘Monsignor Des’, as we used to call him. We, six lay missionaries-in-training, were fully covered: wearing scarves on our heads, loose pants and long-sleeved blouses. Despite Father Paul’s preparations, there was really nothing that could prepare us for what the experience would be like.

At the time of our visit, the military was on high alert. We were told to simply follow instructions. We couldn’t go out on our own. From the outside, the cathedral in Marawi looked like a big warehouse to me.

On our second day, we went to the Muslim families who were to host us for two days. Columban lay missionary Jennifer Chan and I had all our ‘cultural and religious notes’ in mind, prompting us on what to do next.

But it was the warmth of the family’s amazing welcome that calmed my anxiety and overcame my fears. The family made every effort to make us feel comfortable during our short stay.

Inter-faith living in Fiji

 

The six of us, lay missionaries from the Philippines, later arrived in the South Pacific island nation of Fiji for missionary work. I never expected that I would be involved in ‘interfaith dialogue’.

When Beth Briones and I reported to Holy Family Parish in Labasa, mosques, temples, mandirs (Hindu temples) and churches were everywhere. And in the Holy Cross Catholic community in Naleba, our immediate neighbors included three Muslim and three Hindu families.

I knew I was unprepared for the experience and would have to learn along the way. But, again, it was the welcoming hearts of the people that made the difference.

When I was assigned to St Pius X Parish in Fiji’s capital city of Suva, I lived in an apartment at the back of the home owned by Mrs Singh and her daughter, who are Hindus of Indian descent.

When Mrs Singh died last year, a young Muslim family, who used to live in my room, moved into the main house. They are Zabiir, Safiya and their 6-year-old son, Zameer. Safiya used to work in the preschool in the parish.

During the celebration of the month of Ramadan in 2004, I heard sounds coming from their kitchen as early as 2:30 in the morning as Safiya would prepare food. Then, I would hear the prayers from a radio broadcast; then, they would pray.

After cleaning up, Zabiir would be off to work and Zameer to kindergarten. Safiya would then do the rest of the household chores. I would always be surprised to see how much strength she had to do all those chores.

During Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, I cooked food only in the morning or in the evening. I would seldom cook at lunchtime. For me, it was one way of showing solidarity with the family and Ramadan’s fasting requirements that they observed. I had nothing but admiration for them and their discipline and commitment to pray and fast. (Editor’s note: This year Ramadan coincides with the month of September.)

Celebrating Christian and Muslim Holidays

 

On the last day of Ramadan, called the Eid al-Fitr, Columban Father Pat McCaffrey and I joined the family for its wonderful celebration. Father Pat, who spent twenty years in Pakistan, greeted them in the Urdu language, and their son Zameer was so mesmerized he could hardly say a word. Not even a word in Hindi would come out of his mouth.

They offered us Indian miTThai (sweets) and the traditional samay (a noodle dish). Father Pat read aloud a souvenir program about Ramadan written in Urdu and said the opening verses of the Quran. They were awed and, to a certain extent, shocked.

It was a beginning of their friendship with Father Pat and a deepening of ours.

I have come to know some of the members of their families, and they have come to know mine, even if only in name. We exchanged gifts during Christmas and had a barbecue on New Year’s Day. I was even a part of the two weddings in their family, including the wedding of Safiya’s sister.

Safiya and I would discuss our faiths. She knew the schedule of Masses in the parish and the 24-hour adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from Thursday morning to Friday.

When I was coming home from Mass one Friday morning, Safiya told me that they saw people praying in church that night. I explained about the Eucharistic adoration, and she asked if I had participated.

After I told her that I had prayed earlier during the day, she even had the courage to rebuke me for not praying with the community that night!

Through my experiences, I have come to know Muslims better. I had to come all the way to Fiji to know the lives of Muslims even though Muslims lived in my childhood neighborhood.

I have learned there are no recipes for a meaningful interfaith dialogue. I do not even talk about interfaith dialogue; I just try to live it. This comes with the joy of being welcomed and accepted and sometimes the pain of being misunderstood and even rejected. Interfaith dialogue is simply an exchange of what is in our hearts.

You may email the author at rowenacuanico@gmail.com or write her at: St Columban's Lay Mission Center, 34 Rosario Drive, Cubao, 1111 Quezon City, Philippines

By: Fr Ronald Magbanua CICM

Father Ronald Magbanua was ordained by Bishop Wenceslao S. Padilla CICM of Ulaanbaatar on 9 January in San Diego Pro-cathedral, Silay City, Negros Occidental, in the Diocese of Bacolod. Growing up there he could never have imagined enduring the intense cold of a Mongolian winter. ‘Yurt’ is the Russian term for ‘ger’, a Mongolian tent.

It was morning again; the caretaker of the church staggered to the main door of the ger-church to open it. Pulling out his key, he realized that the padlock was frozen. So he went back to his house nearby to take a piece of paper to heat the frozen padlock. ‘I wish the sun would shine,’ he said to himself. ‘If not I will have a hard time opening this main door’. After some time he was able to open the frozen padlock. Now he had the challenge of lighting the frozen firewood and frozen coal. ‘I should light this firewood fast because it’s already 8:30am and the workers will be here soon’, he said. The yurt needs at least an hour to warm up and he only had 30 minutes to go. ‘Ah, I better put more firewood because it heats faster compared to the coal’. So he filled the fireplace with firewood. At 9:00 o’clock the first worker arrived, ‘Ovoo (meaning ‘old man’), how come the yurt is still cold?’ the worker asked. ‘Oh, I am very sorry, my daughter, the firewood is frozen and it is difficult to light’, answered the old man. So she helped him. Then the other workers arrived.

‘Is there hot water?’ one worker asked. ‘Let’s check, the water here is frozen too. Anyway, let’s heat it’.

At 10:00 o’clock, the yurt is still cold. One sewing trainee started her sewing machine and found it wouldn’t work - it too was frozen. It created only some strange sounds. ‘Stop the sewing machine’, shouted the sewing teacher, ‘You will only destroy it.’ The secretary wanted to print something but her printer was frozen too. The Sister who prepares the Mass paraphernalia was worried because the holy water and clean water in the chapel was also frozen. The cleaner who wanted to sweep the floor couldn’t start her job of cleaning as well.
‘Is their anything that is not frozen in this yurt?’ one worker exclaimed.

‘Nothing!’ jokingly answered the youngest sewing trainee.

When are we going to have our church building?’ they asked each other. The parish priest answered, ‘Don’t worry, one day we will have our own church building, just a little sacrifice is needed’.

All of a sudden, there was an explosion. ‘What happened?’ they asked. Then they heard the parish Sister shouting for help. Some workers rushed to help her, and a big fire greeted them. ‘The kerosene heater exploded!’ one worker shouted. All then came to help. Good thing there were enough fire extinguishers to put out the fire.

‘Father, will there be sewing classes today?’ asked one sewing student. ‘I guess we’d better cancel the classes for today since the classroom needs to be cleaned’, answered the parish priest.

‘We live in a yurt, we come here, it is still a yurt, is there no change in our daily life?’ asked one youth. The parish priest once again answered, ‘Don’t worry, one day we will have our own church building’.

Afternoon came. It was still cold inside the yurt. Mass was about to begin but the amplifier, microphones and keyboard were all still frozen. The parish Sister was really worried now. She went to the parish priest and asked, ‘Father, is it okay not to use the microphone? Just please speak louder’. ‘Yes, it’s okay, Sister’, the parish priest replied.

During the Mass the congregation was complaining about the cold. They couldn’t concentrate on the Mass. Some were stamping their feet and therefore looked as if they were dancing. The yurt floor was frozen. Some wanted to be near the fireplace. The parish priest struggled to deliver a good homily.

The cold made many of the workers and even the parish priest sick. Some of the workers later approached the parish priest to ask permission to go home early.

At the end of the day, the parish priest thought to himself, ‘How come other people don’t understand our need for a church building of our own? Some have made their buildings very beautiful but we have nothing, even our appliances are exploding. All we have is a frozen yurt and the patient people of God’.

At the end of the day, the parish priest thought to himself, ‘How come other people don’t understand our need for a church building of our own? Some have made their buildings very beautiful but we have nothing, even our appliances are exploding. All we have is a frozen yurt and the patient people of God’.

Without noticing, he answered himself, ‘Don’t worry, Ronald, one day we will have our own church building’.

You may write the author at: PO Box 694, ULAAN-BAATAR, MONGOLIA or email him atronaldcicm@yahoo.com

(Editor’s note: the spelling of Mongolia’s capital varies.)

Misyon announces its fourth annual essay contest, which this year is open to all high school students. First prize is P10,000, second prize is P5,000 and third P3,000. There are ten consolation prizes of P2,000.

Theme: ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses’ (Acts 1:8).

This passage occurs after the death and resurrection of Jesus, just before his ascension to the Father. It represents the birth of the Church.

This is the theme of World Youth Day Sydney 2008, ‘WYDSYD08 www.wyd08.org.

This issue of Misyon, like every edition from the first in 1988, features stories of Filipino missionaries overseas. We highlight the first Filipinos to be given responsibility for church jurisdictions overseas, Bishop Wenceslao S. Padilla CICM, Prefect Apostolic of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and Fr Raymundo T. Sabio MSC, Prefect Apostolic of the Marshall Islands. In Mitzi Saguisag’s article on WYD Geff Calmerin from Bacolod City hopes to find in Sydney in a clearer way what his vocation in life may be, in other words, how God wants him to ‘be my witness’ for the rest of his life.

Pope John Paul II on young people in Crossing the Threshold of Hope, 1994:

The World Youth Days have become a great and fascinating witness that young people give of themselves. They have become a powerful means of evangelization. In the young there is, in fact, an immense potential for good and for creative possibility. Whenever I meet them in my travels throughout the world, I wait first of all to hear what they want to tell me about themselves, about their society, about their Church. And I always point out: ‘What I am going to say to you is not as important as what you are going to say to me. You will not necessarily say it to me in words; you will say it to me by your presence, by your song, perhaps by your dancing, by your skits, and finally by your enthusiasm.’

We need the enthusiasm of the young. We need their joie de vivre. In it is reflected something of the original joy God had in creating man. The young experience this same joy within themselves. This joy is the same everywhere, but it is also ever new and original. The young know how to express this joy in their own special way . . . ‘You are the hope of the Church and of the world. You are my hope.’ I have often repeated these words.

Assignment:

1. Tell an experience of your own or of other young people you know which can prove that the youth has the capacity to be good and creative despite so many temptations and limitations present around you/them.
2. What are the situations that hinder the youth from being joyful, productive and enthusiastic members of their family, school and church? What are the effects of these hindrances on the beliefs and personality of the young generation and their interaction in society?
3. How can you become the hope of the Church and of the world especially now that our country is facing many serious problems?

Rules: All high school students may enter but only one entry per student.

Length: 500-750 words. Pages should be typed and double-spaced or neatly handwritten in ink and stapled – no binders or folders, please.

The entry form should be attached to the essay. (Entry forms may be downloaded fromwww.misyononline.com or printed from the VCD version. Photo-copied forms may be used.) The entry must include the name and signature of the principal or the student’s Christian Living or home room teacher.

Misyon Essay Writing Contest Form

The student’s name and that of the school must not appear on the essay.

Entries that do not have complete information will be disqualified.

Mail to:
MISYON 2008 Student Essay Contest, PO Box 588, 6100 BACOLOD CITY
or to our courier address: Corner Camia-Tapulanga Sts, Espinos Village, Bacolod City

1st Place – P10,000 . 2nd Place – P5,000. 3rd Place – P3,000. Honorable mention – ten prizes of P2,000.

Deadline: Entries must be postmarked not later than Wednesday 10 September. All entries become the property of Misyon and cannot be returned. Winners will be notified in November. The Top Three essays will be published in the January-February 2009 issue of Misyon. The others will appear onwww.misyononline.com

By: Fr Raymundo T. Sabio MSC

Fr Raymundo T. Sabio MSC worked for many years in South Korea where he was a chaplain in these fields: Apostleship of the Sea; the welfare of foreign workers; Incheon International Airport. His brother, Father Generoso, ‘Gene,’ is now based in the USA (San Bernardino California) after having worked for six years as Third Assistant General of the MSCs in Rome. Father Gene was unable to go to the Marshall Islands for his brother’s installation but their sister, Sr Fidelis PBVM, based in Scala Retreat House, Bacolod City, represented the family. Father Ray’s article about her vocation story, ‘Ichthys’ as a Way to the Lord, appeared in the March-April 2007 issue of Misyon. 


January 6 is the date of the Solemnity of Epiphany, one of the great feasts in the Roman Catholic Church. This year on that day the new Apostolic Prefect of the Marshall Islands, Fr Raymundo T. Sabio MSC from Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, was installed by His Grace, the Most Rev. Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo, JCD, DD, Apostolic Nuncio. The nuncio, from Brooklyn, New York City, is based in New Zealand and is the Vatican’s envoy to that country and to ten other island nations in the South Pacific. The ceremony took place in the Cathedral Parish of Assumption in Uliga, Majuro. At the same time, the care of the Apostolic Prefecture of the Marshall Islands was transferred from the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC).

The presence of His Grace, Most Rev Anthony Apuron OFM Cap, DD, Archbishop of Agaña, Guam, was highly appreciated. He was present in his capacity as President of the Pacific Episcopal Conference (CEPAC) and Metropolitan Archbishop under whose jurisdiction the Prefecture of the Marshall Islands belongs. Also gracing the occasion were the Jesuit Fathers: Fr Ken Hesel SJ, Jesuit Superior of the Region of Micronesia, Fr James C. Gould SJ, the former Apostolic Prefect, Fr Richard McAuliff SJ, Fr Tom McGrath SJ and Fr Arthur Leger SJ.

The MSCs were represented by Fr Simon Mani, Superior of the MSC Pacific Union, Fr Tito Maratas, Provincial Superior of MSC Philippines, Fr Yohanes Sujono and Fr Ariel Galido. It was indeed a sight to behold with so many priests and two archbishops in the sanctuary of the parish church. Rev Alfred Capelle assisted in the Holy Mass in his capacity as deacon. The prayer leaders and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, in their white garb, were seated in the front pews of the church.

The ceremony commenced at 9:30am and ended at almost 11. Assumption Church was filled to capacity by both the local Marshallese Catholics and the Catholic members of the various foreign communities. Although the great majority were the Catholics of Assumption Cathedral Parish of Majuro and of St Francis Xavier Chapel of Laura, a good number of Catholics from Queen of Peace Parish, Kwajalein, came for the occasion. The sacred songs were sung beautifully in the Marshallese, English and Kiribati languages.

A big parish party took place at around noon. There were lots of food and drinks for all to partake of. A cultural and musical program followed, presented in honor of the many guests who came from afar: New Zealand, Guam, Fiji and the Philippines. A good number of beautiful songs and folk dances were offered by many various groups and nationalities. Indeed, it was a day to remember in the history of the Catholic Church in the Marshall Islands.

You may contact Father Sabio at: 
Prefecture Apostolic of the Marshall Islands,
PO Box 8, MAJURO, MH 96960, MARSHALL ISLANDS, or email him at haeyangrts@yahoo.com

He has two websites: www.geocities.com/haeyangrts/AoS.html and
http://m-jpic.tripod.com/raysabio.

Father Gene has a website at http://web.tiscali.it/gene.sabio

In 2004 there were 4,601 Catholics officially listed, 9.04 percent of the population of 50,874. The vast majority of the others are Protestants. The Prefecture was set up on 23 April 1993.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands consists of 1,152 islands grouped in 34 atolls and 870 reefs. The total land area is only 180 square kilometers but is spread over a million share kilometers in the pacific. There are 33 municipalities. 60 percent of the people live in the two islands of Majuro and Kwajalein. Majuro, the capital, has a population of 25,000. The USA handles security, defense and foreign affairs and the currency is the US dollar.

Sources: www.catholic-hierarchy.org and The World Guide, tenth edition, 2006, published by New Internationalist Publications

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Prefecture Apostolic of the Marshall Islands
PO Box 8 
MAJURO, MH 96960
MARSHALL ISLANDS
Apostolic Prefect: Fr Raymundo T. Sabio, MSC
Email: haeyangrts@yahoo.com

11 February 2008, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Dear Fr Sean Coyle,

Aineman an Anji Jemed im yokwe an Mary Jined! (Marshallese for, ‘Peace of God our Father and love of Mary our Mother!’)

I am very pleased to note that Sister Fidelis made it for the day of my installation as Apostolic Prefect, representing the Sabio Family on 6 January. Before everything else, thanks for including her biography in your Misyon publication. Once again, thank your very much.

The Lord has led me to this place after a long journey that started in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental. Then to Cebu; and on to Manila. After 14 years of ministry in the Philippines as formator of college-level seminarians, vocation director, novice master and theology professor, I was transplanted to South Korea where I spent 19 fruitful years of priestly work, assisting the seafarers, the migrant/factory workers, the expatriate communities, the harbor workers as well as the airport employees and air-travelers. Indeed, it was a ministry to the sea, land and air people. And finally I departed for the third part of my life, arriving in the Marshall Islands (unheard of by many!) on 14 October 2005. It is not an easy mission area because the apostolic prefecture is spread over various atolls / tiny islands in the Pacific Ocean, located between Guam and Hawaii. My rough estimate is: the area covered by the prefecture apostolic would be equivalent to the whole of the Visayas. From Majuro, the seat of the Prefecture, to Ebeye, the second parish center, is a 40-minute flight by jet. But I trust the Lord who gives me the strength and courage I need to be His, serving His People. And I place my life in the arms of our Lady of the Sacred Heart who will intercede for me and lead me closer to the very Heart of the Incarnate Word.

May the Good Lord continue to guide and assist you and your staff in your publication/media ministry so that the ‘mission ad gentes’ will become more and more appealing and challenging to the young people.

Yours very sincerely and gratefully in the Heart of our Lord,

(Fr) Ray Sabio, MSC
Apostolic Prefect of the Marshall Islands

By: Mitzi Saguisag 

The official website for World Youth Day 2008 is www.wyd2008.org. Many dioceses and groups have their own websites for the event, which can be easily found through ‘googling’. You can find WYD material in English on the Vatican website at www.vatican.va/gmg/documents/index.html 

Come July 15-20, tens of thousands of young people will converge on Sydney, Australia, for the 23rd World Youth Day. Among them will be two delegates from the Philippines, Gelkoff Calmerin and Father Jude Genovia SSC. These two may represent two distinctive groups that can be found during World Youth Day celebrations, the youth and the clergy who accompany them on pilgrimage. Together they show a glimpse of the future of the Church.

Gelkoff, better known as ‘Geff’, is currently a Respiratory Therapist Reliever, having graduated in 2006. He is also a member of the Buklod Cultural Center, which is a center for study by Buglas Foundation. The Buklod Center is run by members of Opus Dei and is a meeting place for the formation of young men. This formation plays a big part in Geff’s involvement in the 23rd WYD 2008 since he hopes to join five other members. WYD 2008 will be his first WYD experience.

In contrast to this, Father Jude, who is currently the Vocations Coordinator for the Society of St Columban here in the Philippines, will attend the 23rd WYD 2008 as a ‘veteran’ since this will be his second World Youth Day experience. His first experience was in 1995, when Manila played host to the 10th WYD. While Geff receives spiritual formation through his Spiritual Director whom he meets once a week, Father Jude is in the position of being the giver of spiritual guidance to the young men who seek to discover their particular vocation in life. This is one of the main reasons for his attendance at the 23rd WYD in Sydney, Australia.

What they hope to find

Both Geff and Father Jude expect to meet new people, interact with different cultures and learn from the experience. Father Jude has set his sights on interacting with young people and challenging them to look at and consider options to be full-time participants and witnesses to the missionary aspect of the Church. He looks forward to accomplishing this through his participation in the Vocations Expo set to run throughout the WYD celebrations. His attendance at the Vocations Expo is at the invitation of the Columban Vocations Director of Australia, Fr Pat McInerney, a veteran of the Columban mission in Pakistan. At the Vocations Expo, Father Jude and members of other missionary societies and congregations will be on hand to give away materials, answer questions and share their missionary experiences with the numerous pilgrims who will be at the different activities of WYD 2008.

I hope Geff finds his way to the Vocations Expo. For other than the hope to shake the hands of the Pope along with learning more about the Catholic Faith and hearing the Pope’s special message to young people, Geff hopes to hear in a clearer way, the path God wishes him to take, the vocation God has specially for him. Wouldn’t it be apt if in his search for an answer, the Spirit led him to Father Jude’s tent?

The Holy Spirit will surely be present during the 23rd WYD 2008 for the following Scripture passage is the WYD 2008’s theme, ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses’ (Acts 1:8). A renewed power to witness is what both Geff and Father Jude hope to bring back afterwards. Both wish to bring back a greater fervor to be witnesses to the Church’s call to be missionaries, witnesses, challengers and guides to the myriad of young people unable to join them in Sydney, Australia.

As of this writing, both are praying intensely on top of their practical preparations for going ‘Down Under’.

Let us join them in praying for the intentions of the Pope, for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit to renew the zeal for mission and for ourselves that we become full participants in this call to be Christ’s witnesses. As Geff puts it, he hopes that this event, WYD, will not just be a part of history but part of the future.’

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FUN FACTS ABOUT WORLD YOUTH DAY

By Richelle Verdeprado

World Youth Day is the Roman Catholic Church’s gathering festival for and with young people. It offers young people aged 16-35 an opportunity to meet with their peers from across the world and to deepen their faith.· In 1984, Pope John Paul II announced 1985 as a Jubilee year for the Catholic Church. To recognize the growing number of youth in the Church, he invited them to travel to Rome and gather with him in Saint Peter’s Square for Palm Sunday. Then he declared that day to be the first World Youth Day. From that year forward, there have been World Youth Days each year at both international and diocesan level.·

Although the name implies a day, World Youth Day actually extends over one or two weeks. Typically, a WYD on an international level is over a two-week period and is divided into two sections. The first week exposes those who attend to functions in the host and neighboring dioceses. The second week consists of the actual events. ·

Pilgrims have two options when traveling to a WYD. Many youth will make their lodgings in hotels throughout the city, but this can hinder those with financial disabilities. To offset this monetary boundary, many churches, during the entire two-week time period, allow registered pilgrims to stay in their facilities. Gymnasiums, meeting halls, and even the church itself are converted to rows of cots giving the pilgrims an even different experience. (http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring03/Schmadebeck/history.htm A look at Past and Future World Youth Days)·

The 20th World Youth Day 2005 on August 16-21 in Cologne, Germany was the first World Youth Day and foreign trip of Pope Benedict XVI, who joined the festival on August 18. This meeting was decided by the previous pope, John Paul II, during the Toronto World Youth Day of 2002.·

At least 1,000 Filipino youths will go to Australia this July to join an estimated 500,000 youth along with Pope Benedict XVI. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that some 180 youth groups will join the WYD.

By: Agenzia Fides

‘The proclamation of Christ returned to Mongolia 15 years ago, but the Lord has always been with the Mongol people who today receive the Gospel with faith and hope’ – from an interview by Agenzia Fides with Bishop Wenceslao S. Padilla CICM, Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar. Bishop Padilla is both the first bishop ever in Mongolia and the first Filipino to be appointed bishop of a jurisdiction overseas. This interview was published on 9 April and is reproduced with permission. Fides, , is a service of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith and is based in the Vatican.

ULAANBAATAR (Agenzia Fides) - In just 15 years of active presence, the small Catholic community of Mongolia has made great progress. With the proclamation of the Gospel and the love of God, made manifest mainly through the testimony and help of their brethren, the number of conversions and baptisms among youth and adults continues to grow. In 2008, there were about 100 baptisms, and with the baptisms scheduled for May, the total number of faithful will reach 547. This is a positive result for the first missionaries who, 15 years ago, began their missionary adventure to re-evangelize Mongolia. Among them was Father Wenceslao Padilla CICM, a Filipino missionary who lead the missio sui iuris (in 1992) and was later appointed Apostolic Vicar of the Holy See (in 2002), and finally, Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar (in 2003). Agenzia Fides has been able to ask him a few questions on the situation and perspectives of the Church in Mongolia.

Bishop Padilla, what are the roots of Christianity in Mongolia?

The first contacts Mongolia had with the Christian faith began in the 7th century, when missionaries arrived, although in sporadic moments. In the 12th and 14th centuries other missionaries came to the area, such as William Rubruck and the Franciscan Giovanni da Pian del Carpine, who travelled into the heart of Asia, but without being able to perform much active evangelization work. There were also positive influences in Mongolia from the Catholic missions in China, which were led by great missionaries such as Giovanni da Montecorvino and Matteo Ricci. However, in the 20th century, the Communist regime tried all they could to wipe out any sign of religion from society. The true birth of the Church in Mongolia, therefore, was 16 years ago, in 1992, following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the atheist Communist regime. The evangelization effort started afresh, as nothing in terms of structures, communities, or pastoral workers had remained.

Can you give us a brief history of the birth of the Church in recent years?

It’s beautiful, the word ‘rebirth’. In 1992, when the three of us arrived as missionaries (myself and two other brothers of the CICM), we never thought about ‘implanting the Church’ ex novo, but we did want to bring the announcement of Christ once again, as we were convinced that the Lord has always been with the Mongol people who today receive the Gospel with faith and hope. We consider ourselves ‘collaborators of the Almighty’, establishing His Kingdom among the Mongolian people. We began a missio sui iuris, with the first activities: Holy Mass, a new Catholic structure, the testimony of the first small-scale social projects. Ten years later, in 2002, when the community had grown, the missio sui iuris became an Apostolic Vicariate, and finally, an Apostolic Prefecture, with autonomous recognition and a growing vitality, with parishes, religious communities, and faithful that form part of a united and thriving ecclesial community. Today, almost 16 years after our arrival, we can say that ‘the Lord has done great things for us’ and has revealed His face in the land of Genghis Khan.

The new Mongolian Constitution of 1992 guarantees religious freedom. Could you tell us what are the necessary steps in reestablishing the Catholic presence?

For us, the part in the Constitution that refers to religious freedom is fundamental. At the beginning, this expression was interpreted in a partly restricted sense and only the larger religions in Mongolia – like Buddhism and Islam – were favored. However, little by little and thanks to the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Holy See (in 1992), the Catholic community began to gain respect and esteem from the authorities and could in this way begin to expand. The missionaries began working with people in the area, but without ignoring the Christian foreigners living in Mongolia (from NGOs or embassies). We have begun to invite the people to liturgical celebrations and we have begun some social service projects. The people have begun to get to know us, and now begin to ask for more information on our faith and we have begun catechesis, and thus our first group of catechumens. That is how the community began and those who were among the first to be baptized are now evangelizers and catechists, as well.

How have the inhabitants responded?

The Christian message has steadily begun to penetrate the hearts of the Mongolian people, who have for some time had a great hunger for God, for love, and for light in their lives that they have been deprived of for so long. The missionaries have also gotten the youth to participate and have worked in the rehabilitation of youth and children on the streets, thus manifesting Catholic work in a visible manner. Father Gilbert Sales CICM, (from the Philippines), went to the gutters of Ulaanbaatar to help the children living on the streets and we have now opened the ‘Verbist Caring Center’ that takes care of over 120 youth. Today, there is a staff of about 30, mostly lay adults and youth of Mongolia. Other activities have also advanced, thanks to the dedication of laity and religious.

Could you offer us some statistics on the current number of Catholics in Mongolia?

We have about 20 priests and two brothers, 40 religious, four lay missionaries, for a total of 66 missionaries from 18 countries and nine different religious congregations. At the end of 2008, the number of baptized will be 547, ten of whom are foreigners. The Catholic community is not only present in the capital: there are four parishes and five non-parish churches, or ‘missionary centers’ in the country. The most recent, begun in 2007, is the parish of Our Lady Help of Christians, in Darhan, the second largest Mongolian city in dimension, with 80,000 inhabitants.

What is the current situation of pastoral ministry?

I can see that it is advancing with great enthusiasm and vitality. The parishes have Masses, liturgies, sacraments, prayer meetings; we put on formation courses for catechumens and for adults and young people. With the youth, we give special attention in offering instruction and formation. The Apostolic Prefecture has adopted a pastoral plan that is centered on the Word of God and the formation of small Ecclesial Base Communities. It is a three-year plan. The theme of the first year (2007-08) is ‘The Bread of the Word’, of the second (2008-2009) ‘The Bread of the Eucharist’, and of the third (2009-2010) ‘The Bread of Charity’. We try to increase awareness of his own baptism and mission in each member of the faithful.

Is there a Mongolian translation of the Bible that you use?

For reading and catechesis we use a Bible in Mongolian that is published by the Christian Bible Society, which is a Protestant organization. There is still no Catholic version, but we are thinking about the possibility of beginning such a long and delicate process of translation. The Word of God certainly touches people’s hearts; it converts and consoles. The faithful truly love the Sacred Scripture.

Could you tell us a bit about the celebrations of this past Easter?

For us, Easter has always been a great opportunity to offer a testimony of the faith. The parishes celebrated the Holy Week services. I visited each one of the parishes, precisely in order to make the faithful feel the closeness of their pastor. However, we must keep in mind that all the days in Holy Week are normal working days in Mongolia, so many were unable to attend the activities. One piece of good news is that we have received 80 newly baptized and another 30 will be entering the Church in May. The Church’s arms are always open, ready to receive new children.

What are your hopes and wishes for the Catholics in Mongolia?

I can tell that the community is growing in number, but also in enthusiasm, as it prepares the various pastoral activities. The spirit of service, dedication, and commitment of the missionaries and lay workers is truly praiseworthy and paves a path for the Church. We certainly hope that the newly baptized remain aware of the value of their faith. May Christ, who rose from the dead, change the darkness into light in the heart of every member of the Mongolian faithful, so that they may always be open to hope.

Some Latin Terms 
A missio sui iuris is basically an independent mission. It is sometimes in a very large area where there are very few Catholics, if any, as was the case when the Mongolian mission was started in 1992. At present there are only nine such jurisdictions in the Roman (Latin) Rite of the Catholic Church. Source: www.gcatholic.com

‘Ex novo’ means ‘starting from scratch’.

By: Fr Harry O' Carroll

A conversation leads to a decade-long adoration of the Holy Eucharist in five Japanese parishes. 

It was autumn of 1983 when I had a chat outside our little church with one of the prominent ladies in the parish of Koshi in Kumamoto City. She was worried about her teenage daughter, who suffered from some mild physical handicaps. I asked her if she ever went before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and shared her worries with Him. ‘What?’ she said in a shocked voice. ‘Surely you don’t believe that!’

That was the end of our chat! I was stunned. Here was one of the leading members of the parish community, and she did not believe in the real presence of Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. How many more were like her?

As a means of deepening faith in the Blessed Sacrament, and as an act of reparation, we decided to hold a quiet hour of adoration every Thursday evening for those who were interested.

The next Thursday, a few people in the softly lit, silent church adored the Sacred Host exposed on the altar.

Within a year, Koshi joined with two other parishes to form the new Musashigaoka Parish. We moved to a big, new church and presbytery. The adoration moved with us.

After a while, we started a study group that began each evening in a room just off the chapel where the adoration was winding down. An interesting thing happened: people who came to the study group a bit early would sit in the soft silence until the meeting started. They then began to come earlier and earlier until eventually they were there at the start of the adoration.

Sitting quietly every week before our Lord gave them the gift of deep faith. All were baptized and became powerful Christians. Soon, the adoration attracted Christians from the other parishes in the city. It was obvious that Our Lord was pouring wonderful gifts on those who came to spend time in His presence.

Inspired Foolishness

While vacationing in my native Ireland, I spent a lot of time with family members in Letterkenny, which was one of the first places in Ireland to hold perpetual adoration in the parish. The adoration goes on day and night, except for weekends.

Soldiers, farmers, policemen, nurses, shopkeepers, doctors, housewives, students and retired folks take responsibility for every hour. I often would drop in and started thinking how we could do this in Japan. Most of our parishes are too small to contemplate around-the-clock adoration, but I thought we could do it if the Kumamoto City’s five parishes cooperated.

The five churches have a great history of cooperation and are blessed with wonderful lay leaders who thought the perpetual adoration was a great idea. The plan was developing smoothly until they realized that we weren’t talking about one week, but about an adoration that lasted for years.

Once they got over that shock, however, they were twice as enthusiastic. Perhaps it was the apparent foolishness of the whole thing. Imagine asking people to get out of their beds on a winter’s night to spend an hour in some church week after week. Only God could inspire such foolishness!

‘An Indispensable Part’

On 15 August 1995 Japan was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. We decided that instead of giving a halfhearted tip of the hat to the occasion with yet another ‘event’, why not begin the perpetual adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament day and night for peace in our lives, families, country and world? That was how the idea was sold. One of the five parishes, the Kengun Parish of St Columban, already had a small Blessed Sacrament chapel, which was easy to heat and cool.

The public transportation trams and buses stopped right outside, so it became the center for the adoration.

We had to get permission from the bishop, who could hardly refuse. He came to me quietly and asked me to do my best to keep it going for six months. I guess he was afraid it would be a flop, and that, of course, would be a big loss of face.

However, with the powerful grassroots work of the lay leaders and the generous cooperation of other Christians, Sisters from local convents and many priests, the adoration was launched on 15 August nearly thirteen years ago — thirteen years of prayer for peace and all the other things people pray about.

‘How is the adoration going?’ I asked Takagi Hiroshi-san, a retired businessman who began the practice with some misgivings.

‘To tell you the truth’, he said, ‘it has become an indispensable part of my week’.

Kobayashi-san, an elderly lady, quite crippled by arthritis, faithfully kept her weekly appointment with our Lord. On ordinary days, even walking to the bus stop was out of the question for her.

‘Every week when the day for adoration comes, I am always blessed with a strange strength to walk to and from the bus’, she wrote.

Both parishioners now continue their perpetual adoration of Our Lord in Heaven.

As parishioners have aged and died, the adoration is now only a 24-hour session each Thursday. Some churches outside Kumamoto City also began the practice of having a few hours of perpetual adoration one day a week.

In the small mountain parish of Hitoyoshi, where I am now, the adoration takes place from 1 to 5 every Saturday afternoon.

Our Source of Energy

One of the sad facts of our world today is the apparent loss of faith in the real presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist and the great decline in Mass attendance. St John Vianney said, ‘to sustain the soul in the pilgrimage of life, God looked over creation, and found nothing that was worthy of it. He then turned to Himself, and resolved to give Himself. O my soul, how great thou art, since nothing less than God can satisfy thee!’

This is surely the faith and perception of those who participate in the growing phenomenon of Eucharistic adoration worldwide.

Why go to Mass on Sunday? You could say that for those with faith, no answer is necessary, while for those without faith, no answer is possible. You also could say that if we believe, then the question might well be why we aren’t at Mass every day. A Protestant gentleman once told me, ‘If I could believe what Catholics believe, I would never leave the chapel.’

The Eucharist is the food and source of energy for our Christian life. Blessed Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity begin their day with Mass and an hour’s adoration. She said, ‘We go to meet Christ in the Eucharist before we go out to meet Him on the streets’.

I don’t know where that lady with the handicapped daughter is now on her journey of faith, but I believe what she set in motion that day has turned into a magnificent gift of prayer and praise throughout our neck of the woods. Yes, God is great!

You may email the author at adhoc@cv-net.jp

Columban Father Harry O’Carroll of Ireland was ordained in 1969 and first went to Japan on mission the following year.