The following text was published in the review Missions of the Franciscans, Spring 2023. Thanks to Karen Rivas Monico for the translation.
We present to you some testimonies
that show the friars’ concrete life in missionary parishes of Haiti, Mauritius,
Democratic Republic of Congo, and Canada.
MISSION IN HAITI
The Fraternity of Exaltation de la
Sainte-Croix Parish, Croix-des-Missions, consists of three friars: Igais
JULMUS, OFM, Fenol LAUGÈNE, OFM and Jean-Mary FEXIL, OFM. In fact, this
fraternity is located on the national road №1, which is surrounded by many
institutions and commercial activities. Nearby, there is a national school, a
university of agronomy, a health centre, a supermarket and on the back, a courthouse.
In fact, according to the spirit of our predecessors, our fraternity has
already been given the name of a missionary fraternity since they carried out a
missionary work of great pastoral value, while living the evangelical
complicity and fraternal communion in a deep manner.
Consequently, history tells us that
it is with gratitude for pastoral work of body and soul to the people of God,
that the Franciscans carried out their mission up until today in
Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In this context, what is important to us now, is the way
in which we can help people from our parish to live these values while
encouraging them to participate actively in order to bear witness together of
God’s love within our parish.
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| Fiar Julmus with some children of the parish. Photo credit: OFM |
The fraternity of La
Croix-des-Missions is run by friars who have great virtues. The latter push us
to work tirelessly with our eyes open to Pope Francis’ new vision on
synodality, while proclaiming salvation to all and living what the Gospel
suggests to every Christian.
A Missionary Fraternity
Our Franciscan vocation maintains
that evangelization is fully supported by the fraternity as emphasized by our
General Constitution: “Our fraternity is missionary and participates in the
Church’s mission, in compliance with Saint Francis’ example and his will, which
is expressed in the Rule” (116). The evangelizing duty is expressed through our
own charisma and requires a serious daily revision of the mission. To do so, we
consider that it is necessary, along with all our pastoral agents, to recall
the mission’s history, especially in October, which is mission month. Indeed,
we celebrate while recognizing these moments of spiritual vitality (formations,
workshops, reflection day and retreat) as a living sign of the Holy Gospel’s
new force and as a sign that we are a missionary fraternity.
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| Missionary activity in the Exaltation de la Sainte-Croix Parish. Photo credit: OFM |
The Passion for Mission
Since our baptism, following Jesus’
example, we bear that mark within us. As Franciscans friars, this gives us the
passion to animate our parish in this dynamic. Consequently, we consider
improving our parochial space to create a pleasant place for work and leisure
workshops; to lead the Holy Childhood Association with the purpose of
explaining the meaning of mission and to form our animators. In fact, our task
is to seek out other children and young people, to organize missionary activity
in the neighbourhoods and look for ways to help them survive.
Because of this baptismal
commitment, we can’t keep still. In fact, our mission consists of being on the
road and looking for them. That is why we consider making this initiative part
of our fraternal life program. As Pope Francis says in his Apostolic
Exhortation, it is “the Church who takes the first step, who is involved and
supportive, who bears fruit and rejoices.” (EG, 24). We organize formation days
twice a week in our parish and in other neighbouring parishes.
This passion for mission resides
within our heart. Furthermore, the connection between our identity and our
actions shows that we’re a parish which is on mission. We have the impression
that mission might be difficult and complicated because of the insecurity that
is in full swing throughout the country. Consequently, we don’t stand idly by.
It is necessary to discern where we want to go. That is how we see our parish,
as a way to rebuild our life and our mission as it is written in our fraternal
program.
That is why the missionary life of
our parish expresses itself with so much diversity and approaches towards our
faithful.
For that reason, we work steadily
and we accompany our parishioners so that they might discover Christ in their
lives. Furthermore, our pastoral life is also expressed through many
initiatives and activities to bring back the faithful to Christ, He who is “The
Way, The Truth and the Life.” For that matter, being missionary is to approach
people in order to love them. This is where we’re called to be witnesses of
truth through love and called to love every child of God through truth. As
someone I know mentioned: “Truth without love is too hard. But love without
truth is too soft!”
Igais Julmus, OFM
A RETROSPECTIVE LOOK ON THE MISSION IN MAURITIUS
Pope Francis never ceases to invite
us to go, “to the peripheries.” He asks the Church to live, “an extraordinary
mission month.” The Good News of the Gospel must be proclaimed throughout the
world and in every milieu. In communion with the whole Church, as baptized and
confirmed Christians, we’re sent as its messengers. The Gospel of Jesus Christ
is for everyone.
Country
Mauritius was discovered and mapped
by the Portuguese, who were looking for a route to India. The first colonization
attempt of the island was made by the Dutch in 1598. However, the uncomfortable
climate, the diseases and the difficult life conditions drove the Dutch
settlers to leave the island. Today, we can only admire the ruins of the
buildings in the East Coast, which were left by their presence. A similar
attempt, which succeeded this time, was made by the French in 1715. Since then,
the rapid development of the island began. Plantations and sugar refineries
were created. Slaves from Africa were brought to work there. In 1814, the
island came under English rule. An interesting historical fact is that during
the Napoleonic Wars, the only naval battle that was won by the French was the
battle of Grand Port in Mauritius. However, a critical historical date for this
country is 1833, when slavery was abolished in all the English colonies. Since
that event, Indians were brought on the island. They were free people, but as
poor as slaves.
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| Parochial Church of Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel. Photo credit: OFM |
Social and
economic situation
Historically, Mauritius had a
strong sugar industry and a savoir-faire that was well known in the area.
Overall, there was a strong growth and improved living standards for the
average citizen. As for the economic situation of the island, the unemployment
rate is high, the textile mills are closing, the small sugar refineries are
going bankrupt (there were 260 of them and now, there may still be 4). The
investors are leaving and moving to other regions of Africa, mainly in
Madagascar and Mozambique.
There is still a significant number
of poor people, who have been neglected and rejected. Thus, the country has a
commercial façade of a natural paradise, with beautiful beaches and crystalline
sea—and it’s true!—but there is also the other side of the coin: many poor
people.
Today, Mauritius can be associated
with exclusive seaside resorts and holiday resorts. And it isn’t a false
remark. Near the Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel parish, where I worked for seven
years, there were about ten exclusive hotels. Among the most expensive ones, a
suite could cost up to $3000—$4000 per night. Such a wealthy part of the region
doesn’t mean that the parish is wealthy. In general, the parish has nothing to
do with hotels and hotelkeepers. From time to time, some tourists from Europe
come to Church for Sunday’s mass.
About 50% of the island’s
population is Hindu, 15 to 20% Muslims and 1 to 2% Buddhists. Whereas 25 to 30%
are Catholics. Most of my parishioners are poor. There was a huge sugar
plantation near the parish. It should be noted that there isn’t any subtropical
jungle on the island, sugar cane rather grows everywhere. In general, work here
is done manually and the salary isn’t high either.
That is why our parish was poor.
After the sugar factory closed, a small group of people found work in hotels
and other people emigrated in Europe or Australia.
The Church of Mauritius is in
favour of the preferential option for the poor, centred on research and support
for human development. At the same time, we tried to spread in all fields and
sectors—in the families, at work, in the parishes …—an authentic faith, which
is not only a cultural heritage inherited from previous generations. Moreover,
in the Mauritian context where 50% are Hindu and 18% Muslims, the Church can’t
fail to work towards dialogue and peace, which are always linked to the need
for justice.
Parish Priest
I came to Mauritius in December
2002. Our fraternity, located in the southern part of the island, the poorest
region of this country, consisted of three friars: Gianni, an Italian; Jules, a
Madagascan and me, Polish. The first big challenge of living together was to
understand that we were in another country with different cultures than our
countries of origin. For newcomers, the diocese offered a formation for a few
months in order to better adapt to parish work, which was entrusted to us by
the bishop of Port Louis' diocese. Our presence was strictly related to work in
the parish.
The parish in which I was a parish
priest from 2003 to 2009 had two worship centres: in Chemin Grenier where our
Franciscan fraternity was located and in Baie du Cap. In those days, about 4000
Catholics lived in the parish. When I began my parish ministry, apart from the
pastoral work, we also had to take care of the major renovations of our two
churches and the fraternity.
Our house remained opened all day
to allow our neighbours, who often, weren’t Catholics, to come in the chapel
and pray silently. Occasionally, these people were looking for a consolation or
blessing so that they might overcome economic and family problems. Even if the
inhabitants of Chemin Grenier were good people, they couldn’t escape domestic
violence, drugs, or crime.
The small chapel in our house,
dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, became rapidly a place of encounter and
prayer for many parish groups, including choirs, catechists, charismatics, and
others. The weekly worship of the Blessed sacrament was intended to reinforce
the relationships between the parishioners and the fraternity.
As a parish priest, I regularly
visited people in their neighbourhoods and homes. Each encounter began with a
time of prayer (often a mass, a blessing and sharing) and most of the time, it
ended around the table, to which family and closest neighbours were invited.
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| Interior of the Church of Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel. Photo credit: OFM |
A novelty that I appreciated during my
pastoral ministry in Mauritius was people’s huge thirst for knowledge,
learning, helping, commitment and praying.
I gave a lot of biblical, prayer
and liturgy courses with a particular touch of Franciscan spirituality. These
moments of formation were open to everyone. There was also a specific formation
for the different parochial groups: catechists, altar servants, choirs,
charismatics, ministers of communion, etc.
Offering a human, religious and
spiritual formation to young people, who are the most beautiful part of this
island, was my dream and it became reality. I was especially interested in
young people who lived difficult situations; those who were rejected and
marginalized because they were creole or children from poor families.
At that time, I had a new project
to heart: the construction of a school named Joie de vivre, which was intended
for children in the parish who weren’t succeeding in their schooling. The
education reform was in progress in Mauritius. It began with secondary schools.
However, the situation in elementary schools was worse. Children who were
finishing school barely knew how to read and write.
Furthermore, for many of these
young people, education isn’t a priority. Many parents from underprivileged
backgrounds don’t allow their children to go to school when they reach 13 years
of age, although schooling is mandatory until 16 years of age. Many parents
didn’t pass down to their children the conviction that they can have dreams and
fulfill them.
Therefore, with a group of
parishioners and volunteers, we put in place a temporary school to help these
young people in their education.
I’m proud of my parishioners, whom
I was able to see the commitment during the renovation of the Church, the
parochial office, the catechesis rooms, etc.
Hope is always present. Now, it’s
time to raise the alarm and promote awareness. It’s necessary to reinforce
family values like never before. Children and young people are the greatest
wealth of the island and humanity.
Néhémie Prybinski, OFM
MISSION IN THE DIOCESE OF GOMA
Presentation of the diocese of Goma
Founded in 1959, the diocese of
Goma (Dioecesis Gomaensis) is located to the northwest of Lake Kivu, to the
east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Monsignor Willy Ngumbi Ngengele is
the current bishop. The diocese of Goma borders Rwanda and Uganda.
With its 2500 square kilometres, it
includes the territories of Nyiragongo, Rutshuru, Masisi and Walikale. The
total population is 2,039,000 inhabitants (Wikipedia, data from 2006), whose
39% of Catholics are spread across 28 parishes.
The Miséricorde Divine de Sake
parish is one of the twenty-eight parishes that form the diocese of Goma. It’s
located thirty kilometres from the city of Goma. It’s in this city that I was a
missionary (2013–2017) before coming to Canada. There were 3000 Catholic
Christians in 2013.
This parish bears the name of the
Miséricorde Divine de Sake because back then, the city of Sake had a bad
reputation following massive killings. Ethnic intolerance happened regularly,
as well as conflict between Congolese of Rwandan origin and aboriginal peoples,
the Bahundes, were recurrent.
Thanks to the effects of mission,
the city of Sake became welcoming. Now, we can see the integration and
collaboration with other ethnic communities: the Bahutus, the Banyanga, the
Bahavus, the Batembo, the Banande, the Bashis…
Church of the Miséricorde Divine de Sake Parish. Photo credit: OFM
Our mission
In the Miséricorde Divine de Sake
parish, our mission was mostly based on the proclamation of Christ, who fought
for human dignity. Following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, we tried
to relieve the suffering of men and women exhausted by barbarism and natural
disasters (volcanic eruption [1], imminent threat of methane gas [2] of Lake
Kivu).
Despite the famine and the pressure
of armed groups, we have raised awareness among the people of Sake in promoting
values such as solidarity between believers (3), sharing available resources,
empathy, respect for the individual and the proper management of natural
resources that God has granted the people of North Kivu. Thanks to the pastoral
animator Joseph Byanikiro, our ministry was diverse: visiting chapel schools
(4), teaching and animation in our elementary and secondary schools, individual
and community visits from members of the Catholic Action Movement (CAM),
revitalization of the catechumenate, celebration of sacraments (baptism [5],
marriage [6], anointing of the sick), celebration of funerals, spiritual
assistance for the United Nations soldiers from Tanzania, Malawi, South Africa…
Holistic dimension of the mission
Our ministry attached a crucial
importance to the holistic dimension of the human being. We restored the
multipurpose room and the parish church’s roof, replaced the wooden windows of
the parish church by metallic ones.
For the subsistence of priests and
assistance to the poor, we organized pastoral work and actively participated
with the Christian men and women of the parish. On a personal level, this work
brought me closer to the faithful, it also allowed me to know and share their
joys and sorrows.
To welcome visitors decently and
earn some money for the pastoral needs, we built a residential facility (eight
rooms and a kitchen).
In collaboration with the Diocesan
Caritas and the Commission of Justice and Peace, we have been the “voice of the
voiceless” (7) by initiating pleas to help the poor obtain title deeds on their
land in the process of being plundered. We taught philosophy, religion, music …
we organized pastoral animations in our elementary and secondary schools.
On this occasion, I raised
awareness among students about the importance of planting trees to fight
against global warming and the threat of carbon dioxide released by the methane
gas present in lake Kivu.
The large elementary school of Kamuronza, whose total number of students is 1 000 children, is occupied by people who are fleeing the war of the "M23 terrorists", who have almost reached the doors of Goma. Photo credit: OFM
Conclusion and recommendations
As the hummingbird said, I do my
part. I would like to thank the Holy Spirit Franciscan Province of Canada for
its hospitality.
The good news is that the Saint
Benedict the Moor Province (Democratic Republic of Congo) has recently bought a
house in downtown Goma.
Despite the natural resources that
the Province of North Kivu possesses, on the economic plan, the population is
poor (8). In this diocese, there are many major challenges to overcome: the
fight against poverty, the insecurity, the ethnic intolerance, the illegal
exploitation of the country’s natural resources.
To get out of this deadly cycle and
make the Franciscan mission more relevant, I suggest that the friar minors
promote a human and Christian commitment lacking in all forms of hypocrisy (9).
That they spare no effort in encouraging interethnic marriages, since marital
union unifies thousands of African families.
The professional supervision of
young people, as far as possible, would discourage recruitment into armed
groups and reduce the hostilities and the incessant wars present in the
Province of North Kivu.
Benoît Bahati, OFM
(1) The Miséricorde Divine de Sake
parish lies between a rock and a hard place. To the East, you can find the
Nyamuragira and Nyiragongo volcanoes. To the West, you can find a high
concentration of methane gas, which can move the oxygen and cause asphyxia
(2) Scientists say that the
inhabitants of Goma and Sake, specifically, are at risk of asphyxiation because
of lake Kivu’s methane gas. The latter have asked the government to speed the
process of degassing this lake. With a team of experts, by prevention, the
parishioners planted trees along lake Kivu to produce oxygen.
(3) When celebrating funerals and
weddings, all believers without distinction (Catholics, Muslims, Protestants)
participated in the mass. I sized this opportunity to talk about the human
values that bind us. Everyone appreciated this message.
(4) The Miséricorde Divine parish
has 35 elementary schools and 12 secondary schools.
(5) In 2016, year of the Divine
Mercy, we celebrated 1,700 baptisms of children and adults within two
Eucharistic celebrations.
(6) Between 2013 and 2017, we
celebrated 85 religious weddings.
(7) Cf.
https://www.famillechretienne.fr
(8) In many families, as a doctor
points out, children between 6 and 59 months suffer from malnutrition. To this
disaster, we can add permanent insecurity.
(9) In the neighbouring parish
(Matanda), Christians go to Church with a machete near so that they can protect
themselves against an attack from their Christian brothers and sisters.
MISSION IN VANCOUVER
An international fraternity
Five brothers from four countries
form a unique international community in Richmond. A blessing and a challenge
to live with diversity. Three brothers are part of the pastoral team serving a
big parish community of approximately 2500 families. The elderly brother among
us gracefully retired and still helps out in ministry when requested. Brothers
bring diversity in community living. It’s an asset of this community. It’s also
true this diversity also brings friction among the brothers but with
reconciliation we begin again to live in harmony. We have dedicated time as a
community for prayers, Eucharist, house chapter, and meal. Brothers take turns
to prepare a meal once weekly, it’s also a unique way to serve the community
and cook something of our ethnic food for brothers. It’s a great learning time
for me to prepare a meal weekly for the community which I hardly did at home.
“The Richmond Franciscan community
helps build the kingdom of God locally and beyond, by maintaining a unique
Franciscans presence through the practice of Fraternity and the Franciscan
charism, while serving a diverse parish community. Special attention is paid to
missionary and evangelization efforts towards youth, immigrants and refugees,
in keeping with the missionary focus of the Order as a whole.” From the above Mission Statement, it’s clear
that St. Joseph the Worker friary primarily exists to live and witness
Fraternity and Minority and for Pastoral Service to the parish community and
society around.
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| Friar Manoj visits the students at a secondary school. Photo credit: OFM |
Meeting people
Brothers are in Richmond to bear
Witness to the Gospel of Our Lord. I truly believe that each of us is a
Missionary and being in a missionary community; evangelization begins right
with us, within the community. Community is a good place to be an evangelizer
and be evangelized.
Apart from the parish ministry
brothers go out proclaiming the Gospel, reaching out to people where they are.
One brother of the community is a Chaplain of a Catholic Higher Secondary
School and University. He has shown much dedication in his ministry reaching
out to young people and building bridges with them. Rain or sunshine, he loves
to go to visit them in their space. As a vocation promoter, he also
participates in a variety of events with youth and adults, very much visible in
his brown habit, proclaims the Gospel with his Franciscan approach and
simplicity.
Another brother serves as a Board
Member to Catholic Independent Schools of Vancouver Archdiocese. As an alumnus
from one of the Catholic schools in Vancouver, he’s committed to promote
Catholic education in the archdiocese. As a pastor he also encourages parents
to send their children to Catholic schools and makes provisions that children
get enrolled in a Catholic school.
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| Community meal in the parish with impoverish families and blessing by the friar Pierre Ducharme. Photo credit: OFM |
Brothers are involved in serving
the Secular Franciscans of Western Canada. It’s a priority of our community
which has made it possible for brothers to cater to the spiritual needs of
Secular Franciscans. A few of us are Spiritual Assistant to fraternities. With
our support and encouragement Secular Franciscans have shown great enthusiasm
in JPIC, and in their little ways they try their best to make their presence
felt in this parish.
Our community has accepted to serve
the Musqueam Band (Indigenous people) of Vancouver. Pastoral care to Indigenous
People is carried out by the community. Two brothers are assigned to help out
with sacraments. Committed to their service but only a handful of people (four
Indigenous, two Non-Indigenous) come for the Eucharist on Sundays. There is
hardly any active participation, it’s just the priest doing his part.
Frustrating but someone has to do it. I take this ministry as sowing the seed
of faith among them, expecting to take root and grow in God’s time.
Brothers are involved in
ministering to the Ethnic Groups outside the parish community. When invited to
attend to their needs, brothers are willing and ready. It’s important as well,
because immigrants add a good number in the Canadian Catholic Church. Being
visible as Franciscans and our solidarity with them makes a difference in their
lives.
Brothers support Social Justice
Ministry in reaching out to the poor, refugees and others. Whenever requests
for funds, brothers are unanimous to help out whatever little bit we can for
the cause of the poor and needy. It’s also done at the archdiocesan level.
Brothers offer their pastoral
service to three Seniors Homes. We offer Eucharist, prayers and blessings for
the residence in those seniors’ homes. I would say it’s a challenging ministry
as many of these residents have health issues and aren’t awake or conscious
during our visits. Somehow thanks to the nurses or volunteers we connect to
them for a short time as mostly they’re in their world because of old age or
physical ailments. Nevertheless, I think our presence, prayers and blessings
make an impact not only on the residents but their families as well who
appreciate our visits to their loved ones.
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| Fiar Manoj visits elderly people in a retirement home. Photo credit: OFM |
The Ministry of Presence as I call
it’s unique to our community. Brothers come out to meet and greet people after
each weekend Mass either at gathering space or parking lot. Our presence is
greatly appreciated and valued by the people. When people don’t see a brother
after the Mass on a Sunday, of course, the brother has to be ready to give them
answers the next time they meet. Parishioners say it’s a unique experience for
them to see brothers connecting to people, meeting and greeting them. It’s for
sure a good way to build ties with my parishioners. Community also hosts an
annual Grey Cup party, invites friends to join the football games from time to
time, for me these are a good way to show our Franciscan hospitality.
A community that welcomes everyone
The Vision statement of St. Joseph
the Worker is as follows; “Centred on Christ Jesus, as one of the Trinity
within the worship and sacramental tradition of the Catholic Church, St. Joseph
the Worker Parish serves within a particularly Franciscan charism. We seek to proclaim the Gospel by:
continually building, nurturing, and supporting community that reaches out and
welcomes everyone, accompanying others through faith formation at all levels
that respects our diversity of being Catholic, with primacy to the personal
encounter with Jesus and being socially just, through education, advocacy, and
action.”
I envision St. Joseph the Worker
Parish to be an Early Christian Community who devoted themselves to “teaching
of the apostles, fellowship, breaking of the bread and prayers” (Act 2:42-47).
These were the unique characteristics of the first believers. I see this
happening already in this parish. We just need to continue deliberately acting
on these characteristics.
I envision St. Joseph the worker
Parish as a Strong Faith Community. Work carried out in support of the faith
formation of students of St. Joseph the Worker school and in PREP (Parish
Religious Education Program), youth, RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for
Adults), and seniors are enormous and outstanding. Parish community has become
stronger in faith and I have hope that in the coming days many will come to
appreciate and love their Catholic faith because of the support that people
receive in Faith Formation. Unique of our parish hosts Faith and Food Supper
monthly. Again, it’s a great way to involve the wider parish for a formative
session around a meal.
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| Friar Joachim with some students at the University. Photo credit: OFM |
St. Joseph the Worker Parish has
become a Home (haven) for immigrants and refugees, Indigenous people and people
of no faith. I have come across very good remarks by these groups of people in
my conversation; “we feel at home in St. Joes, the brother pastor is concerned
about us, friars care for us, treat us with dignity and make us feel at home,
etc.” The other groups who feel marginalized and live at the periphery of the
society feel welcomed and at home in St. Joes when they connect with us.
St. Joseph the worker parish is in Solidarity
with the Poor. Saturday “Community Meal” by the Social Justice Ministry of the
parish for the needy of our society brings people of all faith to our campus.
This initiative isn’t just to provide food but also to build a community with
those in the peripheries. All are welcome and encouraged to share a meal with
them. Brothers go out to meet, greet and bless the food. Again, the annual
distribution of the Christmas hamper to deserving families brings hope that St.
Joes care for all. St. Joseph the worker
Parish is an Inclusive Community.
Manoj Xalxo, OFM
