By Fr. Romeo Cagatin, SVD
Rep. de Benin

A Book or a Page
Somebody told me once, Romy, said he, when your in a place only for some months, you can easily write a book with that you see. When you are there for many years, you can but write a page. The longer you stay the only thing you know is that you know very little. I think it is very true.” If I have to write my impressions of Benin during the first few months, I think hundred ages wouldn’t be enough. But…

If Abraham could make it.
I arrived in Benin on November 11, 1989 It was Saturday around 13 hours. To find myself in a foreign country is not easy at all. The first few months I had some apprehensions. I tried to console myself by saying “If Abraham made it, why can’t I?” “But Abraham went to a country flowing with milk and honey.

Solum = Tuba
Can anything come from Benin? Certainly! Benin is a country of 4.5 million. Of this, 65 are animists, 16% are Christian and 11% are Muslims. The society of Divine Word as well as the other missionary congregation are involved primarily on “primary evangelization’. More often than not we find ourselves in a difficult situation vis-sa- vis the different groups. There are a dozen of them in the area where we are working. “It is the Tower of Babel”, they said. Each one of us, though tries to learn the language of a particular ethnic group. I’m learning ‘Bariba’.

Simultaneous Translation
The catechists and animators play a very important role in the parish. We depend heavily on them as we are handicapped in speaking the language. Every village has two or three catechists. Aside from teaching catechism classes, they also give simultaneous translation to our sermons - from French to their mother tongue on Sunday. They are the ones who can interpret better the message of the Christian faith. So we can give them ongoing formation throughout the year. With them, we do have great hopes that Christ be truly incarnated in their culture.

“Tower of Babel”:
Dozen of different languages

By Fr Joseph Panabang SVD

To have the feeling
Going from Amsterdam, we stopped at Murtala Muhummed Airportm Logos, Nigeria. More than half of the passengers disembarked. Seeing that the more expensive section was almost empty, I ran and took a seat fro the remaining flight to Ghana. “Oh, just to have the feeling” I told the stewardess who was holding her breath questioningly looking at me.
***
“Sa Ghana – Masagana”
Generally Ghanaians are very welcoming, friendly, cheerful and happy people, so happy that I used to tell my audience in the Philippines during my vacation: “In Ghana; kung iinom, abre-GANA; at kung sobra na hiGANA.” “Sigurado ba kayou Father na hind perdi GANA dahil sa GANA sa hirap?” Come and see!
***
I Like Fufu...
Fufu is Ghana’s staple food. It is made of mashed yam and cassava and plantain and eaten with stew. On my way back from homeleave, inside the plane, I was seated between two Ghanaians. Before our meal was served, I casually told my Ghanaian seatmate to my left, “I like fufu you know?” it caught him so much that he leaned over to me, looked at my skin and exploded: “no wonder we have the same  color.
***
Eight Miles from Here...
Watching a group of women carrying water. I asked casually of my guide. “How far away do they get the water?” About eight miles from here. Water is really a problem here father. When those women arrive in the village, they will be so tired and so thirsty that they will drink all the water they carried.” And they will go back again?” I asked. “Yes”, said the concerned guide.
***
Land of Suffering
After relating to Anthony Kwasi Owusu, who works with us at our mission house in Kintampo, how I enjoyed my vacation in the Philippines and how my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, friends and many others, treated me to restaurants and scenic spots, and what have you, Kwasi, cut in and said, “so no Father, welcome to the land of suffering.”
***

 

 

“Blow my Horn”
Often I wonder why so many drivers here usually blow their horn before they cross a river at night. Asked why, my church helper told me that usually at night, the rive god is present. So, to ask for his permission, they blow their horn otherwise the river god will push the car off of the road. 7:30 in the evening: I was driving from the village and came to the river, my church helper, steeped in his traditional beliefs, reminded me I must blow my horn just before we cross the river. Torn between my Christian faith and respect to my helper’s custom, I blew the horn angrily, so strongly that a small frightened rabbit jumped off the roadside. “is that the river god?” I shrieked. “No, just one of his bodyguards,” counter –shriek the nervous and equally frightened companion who was more worried whether hit the rabbit or not.

 

 

By Sr. Fidelis Jardiel OSB

This is a letter from a Filipino missionary, Sr. Fidelis Jardiel OSB, who works in Nairobi, Africa. Her picture is on the cover this month. Would you like to drop her a line?

Dear Fr. Dom,

Greetings from Nairobi, Kenya. The enclosed photo was taken in the Lerio Valley where the Pokot and Marakwet tribes live. Actually, this photo was taken when I was once for holidays in the valley. These are two Pokot women and a baby we met while visiting some of them who lived nearby. The Pokots are a nomadic tribe, who speak only their own tribal language, very poor and l live in the bush. In the photo, one sees that language is not a barrier when we speak the language of love especially, when we reach out to others and make them feel accepted. The mama of the baby is delighted and full of joy when I myself feel joy in carrying her baby. I think this is a good catechesis in bringing people together, that are brothers and sisters, and that we have on Father, the God who loves us immensely.

May I tell you how I came to Kenya. I already left the Philippines in 1964. after my first profession at Scholastica’s Priority, I was sent to Portugal. I was given a teaching job, Englsih and Music. After, 13 years in Portugal, I was transferred to Peramiho, Tanzania. My stay there was quite short because I was asked to prepare myself for formation work in Kenya. So , in 1980, I came o Nairobi with the coming of  two young Ugandan women; one made her final vows on August 6, 1990.

I am now nearing to my 10th year us novice mistress and I thanks God for blessing us with voctions from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Angola, Nigeria, and even from the Philippines.

In the Lord,
Sr. Fidelis Jardiel OSB

By Fr. Wens Padilla, CICM

Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

With 20 million people, Taiwan is the Worlds most densely populated country. In this article Fr. Wens Padilla, CICM, a Filipino missionary in Taipei, tells us about a day in the life of a Superior of a dynamic group of missionaries.

Hearty Welcome
As the days and months come go, the office unfolds itself to familiarity. The file cabinets are time and again revisited, the sometimes squeaky sliding doors of the various bookshelves are slid with much frequency, the chairs in the reception are not underused, for the four –line administrative telephone, together with the black colored one with a wireless receiver, are given plenty attention, and, an electric typewriter gets plugged in daily and keep on changing ribbons and correction tapes. Day is and day out, at atmosphere of busy-ness” prevails over the room. As the former occupant used to say, “There is always something to be done.” But anyone who comes in and goes out is given a hearty welcome…if not by the man behind the table, at least by the ever-ready –to-be-seatled-on-easychairs.

Appointment Book Never Empty
My appointment book is never empty and doesn’t escape notice as I start my day. Day time is usually spent for meeting and personal engagements. Night time is reserved for visits to confreres, friends, or acquaintances.

Knock, Knock
When you knock at the door of room 1003 in the Central Building in Taipei, Taiwan, and you’re ushered in, you could see at ounce four easy armed chairs whose caution could immediately testify that they have been constantly pressed on and abused by the weights of those who have been seating on them with uneasy dispositions. Halfway of this rectangular room is a wooden divider with big holes which provides you an access to see the office proper which is at the other half of the room.

Days Filled to the Brim
After four years of being provincial, I could not refrain myself from saying that the responsibility and work is rather tough and full of challenge. Not to mention the task that I do for the Major Religious Superior of men in Taiwan and my involvement in the Archdiocese, my job as a superior could already fill my days to brim. I am glad and grateful that, up to now, I have a healthy disposition to cope up with my pressures and tensions of the work. My thanks, too, for the support, cooperation, and encouragement of the confreres in the whole CICM Chinese Province (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore) My visits to them are no only pleasurable tours, but more so, journey filled with much fulfillment and true camaraderie in the Lord and in the CICM.
May God’s love and mercy ever prevail in whatever we do!
…Some of us have to do our mission work chained to a desk.

They are now Vice-Presidents of IFOR – The International Fellowships of Reconciliation

Jean Goss and Hildegard Goss-Mayr have planted seeds of peace and humanity from Latin America to the Philippines. These seeds dispersed during the 35 years of work with the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, were in the form of non-violence. The seeds have sprouted, some are still seedlings, but many more have borne fruit, sweet fruit. This French – Australian couple untiringly work for peace while their endeavor go unnoticed by many. Peace work has been a team effort for the Goss – Mayrs since their marriage in 1958. On Occasion, however, a special project stirs the individual interest of Jean and Hildegard. Their position with IFOR was originally that of traveling secretaries, and they are now hold the post of Vice – Presidents.

Paths Converged
Even though the couple now has one vision towards peace, two very separate paths converged when the couple met.

The Nazi Salute
Hildegard, born in Vienna, Austria in 1930, the daughter of Kaspar Mayr, whose life was devoted to non – violence, recoiled from raising her Austrian school children at only twelve years of age.

Many Suicides
Her father work with Fellowship of Reconciliation during Hitler’s siege in Austria in 1938 got him arrested. After the war, Hildegard witnessed young people committing suicide. She says she felt similar desperation – the aching feeling of not wanting to live in an angry, destructive world – but her faith carried her through. In her late teens, Hildegard vowed to alleviate some of the violence in the world. In this the gospel gave her strength. According to Hildegard, “The turning point in my life was the discovery that gave me a new perspective and hope: the International Fellowships of Reconciliation of which I am now vice – President.”

Union: First School of Nonviolence
Jean, on other hand, born in France in 1912, since the age of eleven “found the only way to defend oneself against the injustice is to join a union. For him, and many others in Europe, the labor union was the first school of nonviolence by struggling against exploitation without arms through negotiation and dialogue.

I Killed Day and Night
When World War II began Jean was 25. Through the mass media he gained the perception of Hitler being the devil. Jean said: “If we killed Hitler then everything would be okay. So I joined the French army to kill Hitler. And I killed day and night for many weeks… I killed so well that I received medals.” Seeing peasants workers and families lies liked his own being slain, Jean became more and more destroyed. People like the ones he was trying to defend were being killed.

A heretic
His time of struggle and desperation as a prisoner of war in Germany gave Jean everything. In his own words, “I discovered what is to be human, what is true and just.” For Jean, God is the only truly nonviolent, one is in essence trying to be God – like. It Jean’s belief that one must try to open conscience of the violent one through the strength of love and justice. Upon trying to find fellow believers of nonviolence, Jean found himself accused of being a heretic. Then he met Henri Rosei of the French Fellowship of Reconciliation. Henri knew that Jean had found the paths and reassured him that he was right.

Jean Meets Hildegard
The Goss – Mayr met in 1953 through meetings held in on pacifism by Kaspar Mayr Their uniquely similar convictions gave them the facilities to organize Catholics in Europe desirous of a nonviolent world Eventually Jean and Hildegard married in 1958.

Behind the Iron Curtains
Hildegard and Jean welcomed their first opportunity to enter the Soviet-dominated countries in 1955. Their bridge- building campaign led them to Poland and on through Eastern Europe to Moscow.

Off Latin America/Dom Helder Camara
The couple spent 1962 to1977 in Latin America through International Fellowship of Reconciliation teaching concepts of nonviolent liberation to two leaders of the movement, Dom Helder Camara and Adolfo Perez Esquivel. Jean and Hildegard saw a failing of catholic theology, as the radical message of nonviolence “was not properly taught; no one taught another way – a way of peace.

The Poor Teach the Theologians
Their liberation theology, teaches that one must bring together faith and the situation in which they live, not one must identify with those who suffer. They believe the poor teach the theologians through the strength they drew from the Bible. Also, they have a keen awareness that only those who suffer must be liberated, but also those who oppress.

Anti – Marcos
Through their work in Latin America, the Goss – Mayr were invited to the Philippines to share their 25 years of experience in the effort to develop a nonviolent opposition to the Marcos regime. One year later, in 1984, the Philippines chapter of Fellowship of Reconciliation formed

Vatican II and Conscientious Objection
In other works, the Goss – Mayr have lobbied at the Second Vatican Council for endorsement of nonviolent peacemaking, culminating in the first support by the church of conscientious objection.

Nobel Peace Prize
Seven members of International Fellowship for Reconciliation have been honored with the Nobel Peace Prize including Adolfo Perez Esquivel who credits his understanding of nonviolence to the Goss – Mayr. The Goss – Mayr have now nominated for that prestigious honor.

One of Jean’s most trenchant phrases is: “Active nonviolence is the Atomic Bomb of the people.” The day the people know how to use it justice will dawn on earth.

By Sr. Aliciela Cudiamat

Together with a fellow Sister, I arrive in July, 1978 in Chile. After a rapid and informal orientation about the culture, relearning Spanish, I began teaching religion in Colegio Verbo in Santiago by September of the same year. This apostolate continued for ten years: teaching religion, preparing the boys for first communion, at the same time giving a helping hand in the pastoral work among the parents and teachers. The well – organized teamwork in the school, the boys, the varied experiences among Chilenos in his atmosphere helped me grow in faith and missionary spirit. With all the rest, it was a walking together, a ‘give and receive’ in mutual respect and understanding.

From Rich to Poor
After ten years I was transferred to the South of Chile, to an ‘another world among the in the ‘poblacion (a mini slum). And so, from North to South, from reach to the poor, from a climate not so cold to a rainy, wet, cold place. Seemingly appears a lot of difference but the heart’s need remains the same… a search for the truth and meaning of life.

Attention to the ‘Whole Person’
For us missionaries and personally, this challenge gives me ample opportunity, reflexion, to adhere more to Jesus and His ways of evangelization. Among other things, He gives attention to the person, to the whole person.

In 36 Years only Two Graduate
 These few months of visiting, knowing, listening to the people of this place revealed to me a picture of the children of God little cared for by the society  for what they do that harms sometimes the rest. Day by day, they survive, yes with the bit of hope for the future. 36 yes only two in this area have finished a career.

La Vida Sigue Igual
Yet, as the song in Spanish goes, “La vida sigue igual” (Life continues the same)… children play, the youth enjoys being together, partners marry, (or just leave together), all in all being influenced by the strong current of communication media.

Long Journey
The challenge is for them… and together, how difficult it is, to see Christ  who is the real light, the Truth and the Life. To discern the message in –between the daily problematic  routinary happenings can not be realized easily in short time It is a long journey in prayer, patience, in the study in the Word of God in the bible, in constant evaluation, (group and self evaluation) of who venture to encounter Christ in their lives.

 

The “Here” and the “Now”
“It’s good to be here” I might not understand the reason now, but the Lord knows the spark of His Spirit that makes it all because it is “here” (whether North or South, rich or poor) that is blessed, it is “now” that is urgent To mission here and now! I thank God for each of them.