By Ronald Magbanua, cicm
Missionary in Mongolia

An Experience to be in Service during the Visit of Pope Francis to Mongolia

"Taste and see because the joy and goodness of the Lord are not fleeting."

I felt very excited upon hearing that the Pope was coming to Mongolia. In 2003, Pope John Paul II was scheduled to go to Mongolia. However, due to unfavorable circumstances, the visit was cancelled. Almost everyone then was ready and eagerly waiting for Pope John Paul’s coming: the entourage, the news agencies, etc. I was involved in the preparation then because I lived with the late Bishop Wens in the Bishop’s House.

This time, I told myself: “What is important is that the Pope will come, which is already enough for me. I am already satisfied with it. I do not even need to get closer to him.” But the confreres told me I could be near or seated near the pope as the local superior.  I replied to them that there was no need for that. His coming to Mongolia is already a blessing and a privilege, and I will already be delighted.

As a member of the Prefecture's Mission Council and a Parish Priest, I was well informed and took part in the preparatory committee. I saw how immense the work that needed to be done. I committed myself to all the work entrusted to me and to all the areas that needed my help. I was part of the Family Commission, which oversaw the decoration of the Cathedral, the House of Mercy (a shelter blessed by the Pope himself), and the altar for the Pope’s Public Mass. Along with the other commission members, we cleaned the surroundings of the Cathedral, planted flowers around it, put up tarps, and ironed the vestments of the bishops and cardinals.

Many pilgrims came from many countries in Asia. Some confreres also came for the Pope’s visit, including our Superior General, Charles Phukuta; our ASI Provincial Superior Antonius Harnoko; Gilbert Sales, who is one of the pioneers of the Mongolia Mission; Rene Cabag, RP Vice-provincial Superior; and André Aboudi from Cameroon. I humbly offered to pick them up from the airport with other pilgrims. Thanks to the help of Jay Mark Ame, we were able to welcome them and offer them our community hospitality.

The time for the Papal visit was nearing, and the plan had yet to be finalized. The Vatican Security and the State Security kept changing parts of the plan. We could only understand that they were concerned about the safety of the Pope.

The day, September 1, 2023, came. We were all excited for his arrival. I was asked to be at the airport to welcome the Pope, but I did not go. Instead, I joined and stayed with our parishioners along the road.  While waiting for the Pope, I had the great privilege of being approached by the pilgrims for the sacrament of confession. Right there on the road, people were coming for confessions. Mongolians and pilgrims came to confess. I felt profoundly blessed for this privilege. When the Pope’s entourage was coming, someone from the crowd shouted, “Father, the Pope is coming near. Please, come.” I blessed the last pilgrim who came for confession, and together, we joined the crowds. We waved our flags as Pope Francis passed by.

I saw the Pope right in front of me as he opened the window of his official car to wave at us. Wow, what a privilege! I was jumping as other pilgrims were crying for joy to see the Pope. Pope Francis was so amiable as he waved and smiled at us. We all returned to our parish church, sharing our unique experience while on the bus. As we arrived at our church, I invited all the pilgrims to the Holy Mass. We all thanked the Lord for the great opportunity of seeing the Pope pass by in front of us. After the Mass, some of the pilgrims went home. Those who stayed behind helped prepare the food for the following day.  Our parish was asked to prepare lunch for people of other parishes and other pilgrims. We thank the Lord for the workforce He gave us to be able to prepare the food for 600 people.

Late in the afternoon, the Cardinal Giorgio Marengo called up, saying that Pope Francis was inviting us for a private Mass in the Bishop’s House the following day, September 2, 2023. The pope wanted to thank us and  recognize the many works done by CICM for the Mongolia mission. Only three of us, CICM fathers, were invited, namely: Charles Phukuta, Gilbert Sales, and me. The Pope’s invitation for a private Mass could only tell us that the Mission of Mongolia entrusted to us as CICM would remain with us. And, no matter what happens, we will never abandon the Mission.

September 2, 2023 came. Early in the morning, I went to pick up Gilbert and Charles. Immediately, we proceeded to the Bishop’s House. Upon arrival, the state security police came to check our passports, and reaching the main door of the Bishop’s House, the Vatican security came to check on our passports again.  Cardinal Giorgio welcomed us inside the Bishop’s House and brought us to the chapel . He also introduced us to  Pope Francis’ entourage. The excitement was mounting as the time for the Mass drew near. We did not know what to do anymore.

When Pope Francis came in, Cardinal Giorgio introduced us to him. The Mass started. I was seated next to the Pope. I was so nervous and conscious of the way I sat and the way I stood. I was placed next to the Pope! The Pope was so humble, unassuming, and very simple. I kept talking to myself and thinking of how blessed I was to be invited to a private mass with the Pope. I could not believe it! I was praising God for all these blessings.

At the end of the Mass, Cardinal Giorgio invited us to the reception area, where the Pope met us. Father General, Charles Phukuta and Gilbert Sales  must have had previous experiences meeting the Pope. But for me, this was the very first time, and may even be the last. I was asking myself what to say when I met the Pope. Thoughts did not come at all. And when the Pope came to meet us individually, I could not say anything. I was mesmerized by his smile and voice. The Pope gave each of us a special rosary, that we would surely treasure every day of our lives. The three of us went home very happy and grateful, thinking about sharing our experiences with our confreres and others when we got home.

Returning to our parish church, pilgrims were found all over, with everyone waiting for the signal to leave the church and proceed to Sukhbaatar Square, where the official state welcome happened. Patrick Taveirne was then with the Hong Kong Pilgrims. I told the drivers of the buses to move so they would arrive on time for the official welcome. I and the parish couples› group stayed in the parish church to finish preparing the meals. Thanks be to God. We were able to prepare the 600 food packs. We followed the pilgrims in Sukhbaatar Square to give them their lunch. We distributed the other food packs to people in the parishes and on the Cathedral grounds. Many pilgrims from the countryside came thirsty and hungry. We gave them food and drinks as well.

Pope Francis greeted all the pilgrims stationed around the Cathedral grounds. After greeting the people, the Pope met the bishops, priests, missionaries, and pastoral workers. Sister Salvia, Father Peter Sanjaajav, and Rufina gave their testimonies. After hearing the testimonies, the Pope thanked them and everyone in the Cathedral. He started by remembering Bishop Wenceslao Padilla, CICM, the first Apostolic Prefect, a pioneer in the contemporary history of the Church in Mongolia. He then invited us to reflect on Psalm 34, saying, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Reflecting on this Psalm, he said: “Taste and see, because the joy and goodness of the Lord are not fleeting. They remain within us, giving flavor to our lives and making us see things in a new way…. To spend one’s life for the Gospel…. At the same time, I urge you to taste and see the Lord, to keep returning to the original gaze from which everything began. Otherwise, our strength will fail, and our pastoral work will risk becoming an empty delivery of services, a roster of duties that end up inducing only weariness and frustration. Yet we remain in contact with the face of Christ, seeking him in the scriptures and contemplating him in silent adoration before the

Tabernacle, we come to see him in the faces of those we serve and experience an interior joy that, even amid hardship, brings peace to our hearts.”

I felt that the Pope was talking to my heart. I have been here in the Mission for 21 years now. I felt that the Pope was telling me to taste and see the gift of what I am and the beauty of giving myself entirely to Christ, who has called me to witness His Love in Mongolia. After the Pope delivered his message, we were all invited to meet him individually. I could still feel the blessing I had received earlier that morning. Here again, I would be receiving the blessing of the Pope! I could only thank the Lord for His Goodness!

In the evening, while others were already resting, we were still in the Steppe Arena, ironing the vestments for the cardinals and bishops. We wanted to prepare for the Mass, but the altar still needed to be ready. The architect and his men were still working on the altar and stage. We went home at almost 3:00 in the morning. The following day, all the local superiors were invited to join the Interreligious and Ecumenical Meeting in Hun Theatre. I, together with other local superiors, joined the meeting. All the religious denominations present in Mongolia were well

represented. One by one, the religious leaders gave their shares, and the Pope was the last to share. Everyone was happy with the result of the meeting.

After the ecumenical meeting, the local superiors went straight to Steppe Arena to prepare for the Public Mass of Pope Francis. When we arrived, pilgrims were already lining up to enter the Arena. As usual, the security was strict. The security checked the pilgrims one by one. Without our knowing, the Arena was filled immediately. Everyone was ready to welcome the Pope. In the meantime, I was called to help with the confessions. Confessional booths were placed on the side of the Arena. I was happy to receive confessions from Mongolian and English-speaking pilgrims. It did not take me long in the confessional box because I was called to be at the altar to

practice for the Mass. I was so blessed to have been chosen to serve at the altar for the Pope’s Public Mass. I gave communion to the Pope. What a blessing! Of all the priests and religious present for the Pope’s visit, they chose me to serve the Pope. Thank you, Lord!

After the Mass, I received many congratulatory messages from home and abroad saying they saw me at the altar and heard my voice. I gave praise and thanks to the Lord for choosing me to serve. If you ask me why I was chosen, I surely do not know the answer. One thing is sure that I can say.  I am blessed by the Pope.  I will share this blessing with the people I serve and continue to be a blessing to others whom I shall encounter. 

Source : Chronica No. 5 Sept-Dec 2023

By Prosper-B. Mbumba, cicm

The CICM Novitiate in Mbudi celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2022. Indeed, after the first experience in Katoka, Central Kasai, from 1954 to 1964, the CICM Novitiate in Africa reopened in 1972 in the Kinshasa suburb of Mbudi. Cardinal Frederic Etsou, then Vice-Provincial of the CICM Province of Kinshasa and Elder of the African CICM, was a key figure in establishing the Mbudi Novitiate. Candidates would receive a missionary and religious formation that was authentically African, according to Msgr. Léonard Kasanda, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Luiza (DR Congo) and the first Director of Novices at the Novitiate, known as the Buisson Ardent (Burning Bush). Initially founded for African candidates, this Novitiate is now one of only two in the world for our Congregation. The English-speaking second Novitiate is located in Taytay, Philippines.

This Golden Jubilee culminated in the Eucharistic celebration on September 8, 2022, the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with the theme “Fifty Years of Fidelity and Perseverance for a Flame always Lit.” The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Léonard Kasanda, and the sermon was delivered by our Superior General, Father Charles Phukuta. Several other CICMs were present to commemorate the Golden Jubilee, among others, the former Buisson Ardent Novitiate Directors of Novices, Msgr. Godefroy Mukeng’a Kalond, Archbishop Emeritus of Kananga (DR Congo) and the first African CICM priest; Msgr. Louis NKinga, Bishop Emeritus of Lisala (DR Congo), and Msgr. Ernest Ngombe, Archbishop of Mbandaka-Bikoro (DR Congo).

In his homily, Father Charles encouraged the congregation and the ten Novices who were to take their first vows at the same time to trust in God who had called them and to make themselves available to listen to God, as Joseph and Mary had done:

“Today’s Gospel, with its long genealogical list, leads to Mary, Joseph, and the Son of God made Man. But it is Joseph, the lowly Joseph, who is highlighted. Having learned that Mary was pregnant before they had even lived together, Joseph decides to divorce her: yet he will be gentle and careful with her, planning to separate from her in secret. And then, before Joseph can act, God intervenes in a dream and overturns Joseph’s decision. An angel tells him not to be afraid and to take Mary into his home. It was complex advice to follow. Yet, Joseph’s faith, control, and courage will prevail. Obeying the angel’s message, he will do what is right... Like Mary and Joseph, let us listen to God and our neighbor. Listening implies availability: let us air our lives and eliminate all kinds of clutter to make our hearts available.”

In his jubilee address, the CICM Superior General emphasized the significance of the name given to this Novitiate, Buisson Ardent:

“The name ‘Buisson Ardent’ is inspired by Exodus 3, when God called Moses through a burning bush and sent him to free his people, the Israelites, from slavery in Egypt. Through this burning bush, God proclaimed his name to Moses, YHWH. The burning bush is, therefore, a powerful symbol. It represents the miraculous energy of God, the sacred light, the illumination, and the heart burning with purity and love. It also means the reverence and awe of Moses before the divine presence... Like Moses, this place has become a sacred ground for hundreds of us, where we have discovered and deepened our CICM calling for the world.”

During its half-century existence, the Buisson Ardent Novitiate welcomed and formed 669 Novices, some of whom went on to join the secular life. There are currently five bishops among the missionaries who were formed in this place, namely, Msgr. Philibert Tembo, Bishop of Budjala (DR Congo); Msgr. Ernest Ngombe; Msgr. Oscar Nkolo, Bishop of Mweka (DR Congo); Msgr. Félicien Ntambue, Bishop of Kabinda (DR Congo) and Msgr. Faustin Ambassa, Archbishop of Garoua (Cameroon). In addition, the Novitiate of Mbudi counts among its former Novices two Superiors General: Fathers Edouard Tsimba (2005–2011) and Charles Phukuta (2017 -).

Finally, the Superior General expressed the hope that this Novitiate, as well as the one in Taytay, will continue to fulfill their noble vocation of forming religious missionaries capable of responding to the changing needs of the world and Church:

“May God, the author of all good, help us in keeping this burning bush burning for many years to come. May the Buisson Ardent Novitiate in Mbudi and the Théophile Verbist Novitiate in Taytay, Philippines, grow in effectiveness and fulfillment of their high vocation and noble mission of forming future CICM religious missionaries through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Our Lord and Patroness of our Congregation.”   

By Simon Mputu, cicm

2022 marks the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Government of Mongolia. But more importantly, for the Mongolian faithful, it is the 30th anniversary of the Catholic Church in this land. Yes, 30 years ago, some three brave missionaries embarked on a mission to share the Mongolian people’s salvation journey. We are blessed to still have two of our valiant confreres with us: Fr. Robert Goessens in Japan and Fr. Gilbert Sales in the Philippines, while our beloved Bishop Wenceslao Padilla (Wens) has already preceded us to the father.

This time of celebration is undoubtedly an opportunity to thank God for the countless blessings bestowed upon the Mongolian people during these past 30 years. We are indeed fortunate to be part of this incredible journey on the Steppe, in the steps of our beloved Founder, Fr. Théophile Verbist, as servants in this vineyard of the Lord.

Indeed, the story of CICM and Mongols did not start after the Democratic Revolution! At the beginning of our Missionary Institute, CICM and the Mongolian people had already tied a knot. They were among the first people CICM served in the world. Shortly after arriving in Inner Mongolia, China, our founder had made it a point that some CICM learn the Mongolian language to do their apostolate among the Mongols. He was then aware that working among the Mongols would not be easy. He already knew that Mongols were not as open and as welcoming to the Gospel message as the Chinese. However, that did not quench in him and his companions the desire and the determination to bring the Gospel to the Mongols because they had faith in God, the Master of the mission. From this, we can understand that Verbist and the early confreres were not interested in whether they would be met with flowers or whether their message would find a smooth or rough terrain. It was, instead, their love for the mission that mattered. In one of his letters to novices, he said, “To him who loves nothing is difficult.” That love led them to embrace the mission to Mongols, regardless of apparent indifference and the harsh weather conditions.

It is reported that when CICM was forced out of China (Inner Mongolia), there were roughly 2000 Catholics among the Mongols. Today, as the Church celebrates 30 years of journey with the Mongolian people, there are about 1300 Catholics here in “Outer” Mongolia. So, it sounds like a déjà vu.

Times have changed, but the mission has remained the same, and the Mongolian mindset seems to have changed only very little. Of course, today, we boast of modern technology’s prowess, which allows us to be in touch with our loved ones. Although the weather has remained the same, we boast of having better clothing to fend off the cold. We have humidifiers and air purifiers to ensure healthier air in our living rooms and churches. But we are still facing the same indifference to the Gospel that Verbist and his companions faced more than a century ago. We are still dealing with the same difficulties Bishop Wens, Frs. Robert and Gilbert met 30 years ago. Perhaps the only difference would be that they were motivated by those challenges and problems while we are terrified by them! The ebbs and flows they encountered made them trust God even more, whereas we tend to lean more on our abilities to make things work. Sometimes, we like to project ourselves as fixers. But then, when we realize that we cannot fix it, we get discouraged and eventually build “small kingdoms” around ourselves with people who dance on the same foot as we do. Or we start pointing fingers at one another to make sure somebody carries the blame.

Indeed, many of us, not just CICM but other congregations working in Mongolia, express frustration at how slow the Church is growing in Mongolia. I remember how the Korean Fidei Donum priest, currently Rector of SPP Cathedral, expressed that frustration during Mass during our Advent Recollection last year: “We are going to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Church in Mongolia. But our churches are empty. So, what are we going to celebrate then?” he lamented. He is among the veterans here. Now, if a veteran is frustrated in such a manner, what about a newcomer!

If we look at the statistics, we might find no reason to celebrate. Moreover, the pace with which other Christian churches, primarily Protestants, are growing can make us feel shy even to tell others that we have been here for 30 years. Once I had a chat with a Mongolian Mormon faithful, and I was surprised to learn that they have more than 20 Mongolian missionaries in other countries on top of the 62 others working locally. Their church membership as of December 2021 is more than 11,000. But the Mormon church arrived in Mongolia one year after the arrival of the Catholic Church.

However, celebrating an anniversary such as this is not so much about our tangible achievements. It is, instead, celebrating what God has done for and through us. We celebrate the fact that, despite our weaknesses and sometimes unfaithfulness, He has remained faithful to us and continues to journey with us. Perhaps this is also a time to sit down and understand that God has not sent us here because Mongolians are easy to win over. He did not send us on a conquest. We are here because He wants us to be here. He wants us to journey together with our Mongolian brothers and sisters, to be witnesses, not conquerors! Such an attitude will uplift us in times of trials and keep us faithful to Him who calls us to this beautiful mission in the Steppe. We should, therefore, care more about the kind of witness we bear rather than the number of church attendees.  

By Bill Wyndaele, cicm

I have been a part of the life of this Province for 62 of its 75 years. I am 86 years old now. I am no longer good with names or dates. During these years, a lot has happened. There are far too many to mention, but these are some that stand out.

Promotion Development was the original primary reason for establishing the US Mission in 1946. That is why Ernest Dieltiens was sent from China to the United States. We can only marvel at the generosity of US Catholics after 75 years of Development and Mission Awareness Work. Many benefactors became regular supporters of our missions and true Missionhurst friends. We had six men assigned to travel around the country making mission appeals in the early 1960s. For weeks at a time, they were on the road. Many confreres from other Provinces have since come to assist with mission appeals during the summer. For many years, Missionhurst Magazine was distributed to thousands of readers. In recent years, the development office has shifted its focus away from the Magazine and mailing appeals and toward a website, https://www.missionhurstcicm.org, as a more modern outreach to potential benefactors and mission awareness. We are very proud of what we have done over the years on behalf of the other CICM Provinces, and we are committed to continuing this work as a primary commitment of our Province.

Pastoral work was also accepted to make the American bishops more open to our mission appeal work. When headquarters decided to launch a mission in the United States in 1946, the number of members sent increased rapidly. It was decided to focus on the Black Ministry. Forty-five confreres were assigned to the US Mission during the first three years. It wasn’t easy to find dioceses willing to provide Black Parishes for all of these confreres. So, many were sent to Texas and several rural parishes in Virginia and Louisiana. On July 17, 1949, the General Government made the US Mission the US Province.

When I arrived in 1960, it had grown into a large Province with 86 confreres, the majority of whom were Belgian, and a few were Dutch. They were dispersed throughout the country. There were groups of confreres in the North (Detroit, Philadelphia, and Northern Virginia) who were separated from those in the South (Texas, Louisiana).

We still had several confreres working as associate pastors in Black parishes in Philadelphia and Detroit when, in the early 1960s, several confreres who had been working as associate pastors in Black parishes were drafted to become teachers in a high school (see below). By 1980, Our Lady of Sorrows, a mixed community of Blacks and people of Belgian origin, had only one confrere left. In 1994, he retired. This marked the end of our presence and Black ministry in Detroit. In Philadelphia, we had John Van de Paer, who had been George Vermeiren’s associate pastor at a predominantly Black parish, St. Charles Borromeo, since 1952 and became its pastor in 1981. He worked there successfully until his retirement in 1995. However, this would be the end of the Black Ministry in our Province. More and more confreres were being assigned to the Hispanic Ministry. The Provincial Assembly of 1980 chose to prioritize the Hispanic Ministry, with a focus on the poor. Since then, this option has been renewed in every Provincial Assembly. Until 1960, a couple of young confreres were sent from Europe each year, but in the 1960s, there was a significant decline in missionary vocations in Belgium. After their studies, very few new members were assigned to the US Province. By the late 1980s, there was growing concern that we were becoming an aging, stagnant Province. But things would change. Today we are 33.

Americanization and Formation

It was decided early in our history to recruit Americans for our Congregation. In 1958, the first novitiate was established. The Province decided to accept the staffing of a Boys’ High School (Archbishop Wood High School) in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and committed to providing up to 20 confreres for administration and teaching staff. The school first opened in 1964. The hope was that this would become a regular source for CICM vocations. However, the 1960s were a difficult period for vocations. In reality, only three graduates joined CICM over a four-year period. By 1970, it was clear that it was not appropriate for a missionary Congregation to invest so many of its members in a high school that produced so few CICM vocations. In 1974, the school was returned to the Archdiocese. Between 1958 and 1988, we had 20 novitiates and a total of 160 novices. In 1981, it was decided to postpone the novitiate until after Philosophy and instead begin a pre-novitiate program. In the 1970s, there were a lot of young men in the pre-novitiate program, but only a few made it to the novitiate. The late 1960s and early 1970s were challenging times for most formation programs in the United States. Even though we cannot call our recruitment and formation programs numerically successful, our American (US and Canadian) confreres have proven to be wonderful in their mission assignments and their service to the Congregation. Three were Provincial Superiors, one was a General Councilor, and another was a General Councilor and then a Superior General. We are proud of them and grateful for their service.

The last Novitiate was held in San Antonio from 1985 to 1986, with only one Novice. It was decided that no further efforts would be made to recruit in the United States. However, there was a strong desire to resume recruiting during the last two Provincial Assemblies. We currently have one pre-novice who is attending philosophy classes in San Antonio, Texas. We pray and hope for more vocations in the future.

The need to Americanize the US Province was felt in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Several US confreres were called back from their missions abroad to work for vocation animation, Initial Formation, and development projects (Promotion). From there, they would gradually advance to positions of leadership. Joe Giordano was the first American-born confrere to be appointed Provincial Superior in 1988. (1988-1994). From 1999 to 2006, Bill Quigley served as Provincial Superior. Mike Hann, a Canadian-born Canadian, was the first non-Belgian Rector of the Provincial House (2003-2012), and he was succeeded by Joe Giordano (2012 - 2020).

Internationalization of the Province

Three Congolese confreres were appointed to our Province between 1982 and 1983, but two were recalled after only a few years for assignments in their home Province. In 1989, 64 of the Province’s 69 members were still of Belgian or Dutch origin, growing older and thus less available for new assignments. When the General Government asked the Provincial Government how we saw the future of the US Province, our response was: “We do believe in the future of our U.S. Province, but ... in the face of the aging process of the membership of the U. S. Province ... we foresee the need of having 25 young confreres, preferably from different cultures, assigned to our Province within the next ten years...”

The General Government responded by saying that the United States Province was invaluable to the rest of the Congregation. From then on, there was a steady influx of young confreres from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The Province was quickly revitalized and truly internationalized. Several of these newcomers studied theology in San Antonio, Texas. The most recent ones participated in a three-year internship program. They are given the time they require to learn both English and Spanish and to begin the ministry under proper supervision. There are currently 11 Congolese, nine Filipinos, six Americans (five US, one Canadian), three Indonesians, one Zambian, and three Belgians in retirement among the 33 members. The consensus is that we are a relatively young and international Province.

Fuller Participation by All Members in the Government of the Province and Ongoing Formation

Our Province began involving more confreres in the Province’s decision-making process under the influence of “Kindling the Fire” (Acts of the General Chapter of 1974). In 1980, a Provincial Assembly was held at Missionhurst, where 20 delegates out of a total membership of 83 would join the members of the Provincial Government with voting rights. This Provincial Assembly decided to take our Ongoing Formation seriously. A Director of Ongoing Formation was appointed with the task of publishing and proposing sabbatical models. Between 1981 and 1984, many confreres participated in a renewal or sabbatical program. Aside from that, every other year, we held Ongoing Formation days that all members attended. The United States Church has a number of wonderful programs for spiritual renewal, healing, and leadership training. Between 1976 and 1990, we facilitated the participation of 69 members of other CICM Provinces in a sabbatical program in the United States. We will continue to do so.

Provincial Assemblies are now held every four years. Every time, we set goals for the next four years based on our CICM Charism. These Assemblies, as well as our annual retreats where all members gather, have instilled a new spirit in our group. We have the opportunity to get to know one another, we pray together, we make decisions together, and we now understand that we are all responsible for our Province. Sharing one’s thoughts and feelings was unusual before 1980 because one was afraid of the reaction of others. But, over time, we grew more accustomed to sharing our deepest thoughts, wishes, and prayers. In this regard, the assistance of qualified facilitators for the Assemblies has proven to be highly beneficial.

There is much more I could say, but my final word is one of gratitude. We have had our darker moments in our Province’s history, but we must remember to count our blessings. The Lord has blessed us. We are grateful for the many blessings that have come our way. We are grateful for the excellent leadership provided by our Institute’s General Chapters and Provincial Superiors. Gratitude for all the men who have been a part of our Province and for the hope that the younger members of the Province have held out to us. In the words of Dag Hammarskjold: “For all that has been, Thank you. For all that is to come, Yes!”  