100 Years of Columban Mission
I WOULD like to take a break from writing my Sunday reflections for now.
As of writing, I am in Taiwan attending the Columban Centenary General Assembly of delegates from every country the Columban fathers are doing mission. I am representing my mission unit based in Myanmar.
The Missionary Society of St. Columban celebrates one hundred years of “Sharing Gospel Joy” from its humble beginnings as a missionary group of priests from Ireland all called to serve in China. The Society was founded on June 29, 1918.
In 1929, the Columban fathers arrived in the Philippines and in 1938 reached the shores of Cagayan de Oro City. Mindanao in the 1940’s had very little of the infrastructure. The Columbans were to live like real “Exiles for Christ.” They arrived not knowing if they will ever see their homelands again like the experience of many other Columbans who went to China and other parts of the world. They created strong bonds of friendship with the people they live and worked with that many chose to end their days in Mindanao than return to their homelands.
For instance, Archbishop Patrick Cronin, SSC is interned in St. Augustine Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro, Fr. William Adams SSC is buried in Medina, Fr. W. Hennessey SSC in Kinoguitan and Frs. James Moynihan, Jim Flynn, Frank McEnnis, Gabe Keohane, Frank Chapman and John Meaney are all buried in the Divine Shepherd Memorial Garden in Bulua.
The Columbans for a long time also established many parishes in other parts of Northern Mindanao including the Diocese of Iligan. My parents’ wedding was officiated by a Columban priest. The parish where I grew up had a Columban priest-in-charge.
Since the Columbans started accepting local vocations, there are now fourteen ordained priests and one ordained deacon. Two are from the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro City and myself from Iligan. Some were not called to be ordained priests but were called to become Columban lay missionaries who, like us, are sent to the ends of the world to work with Columban priests. We are now working in different parts of the world like the Ireland, Britain, Fiji Islands, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea, Peru, Hongkong and China but also in some parishes in the Philippines and some special projects and programs.
In the parable of the sower and the seeds, the sower scattered seeds that fell in different parts of his land. Like the seeds Columbans were generously scattered by the Great Sower in far distant lands to become witnesses to the Good News, sharing gospel joy. But in order to bear fruit we must embrace the cross that comes with being missionaries - leaving our own homelands to embrace new ones.
During the difficult years of the war and martial law, many Columbans stayed with the people. But a number of Columbans also died in the missions where they were sent. The patron of the group is St. Columban, an Irish missionary monk who travelled the continent of Europe and established monasteries once preached that “Since we are travellers and pilgrims in the world, let us ever ponder on the end of the road, that is of our life, for the end of our roadway is our home (St Columban, 8th sermon).” We are pilgrims for Christ.
It is my great honor to be part of this historic general assembly of the Missionary Society of St. Columan. I am the youngest delegate and it was a very affirming experience to be with my brother Columbans. I thank the Columbans who have gone before me - who have tilled the soil, many are now buried in the same soil they tilled. The seeds they have sown are now bearing fruits - we now see and celebrate with joy. I also thank our friends and benefactors who support the Columban mission.
The Columbans after 100 years is facing a number of challenges like dwindling and aging membership but hopeful growth in vocations. The Church and the world today is faced with a great environmental and spiritual crisis. When Pope Francis visited Myanmar he spoke to the young people - “Be brave, be generous but most of all be joyful. I think Pope Francis is inviting us all to be brave, generous and above all joyful missionaries. If you are up for an adventure of a lifetime - to share the joy of the Gospel as a Columban Missionary write to me. And please don’t forget to pray for me.