Magazine Brothers CMM 2015/4 by CMM Brothers

BROTHERS CMM 4/15

CONTENTS

CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

CONCERNING BROTHER ANDREAS

MISSION STATEMENT

COLOPHON

Mercy belongs to all times and places.

Brothers CMM {formerly Ontmoetingen (Encounters)} is a quarterly publication of the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy (Brothers CMM). A subscription is free of charge (available on request at the address below). ISSN 1877-6256

Mercy is at the centre of all world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The movement of mercy has left traces throughout history. The various forms in which mercy appears, are expressions of the society in which it arose, and of the spirituality that carries it. The Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy, is rooted in Christian mercy.

Editorial Board: Mr. Rien Vissers (editor in chief), Br. Edward Gresnigt, Br. Ad de Kok, Ms. Nathalie Bastiaansen, Mr. Peter van Zoest (executive editor) Translation: Br. Edward Gresnigt, Mr. Peter Huybers, Fr. Jan van der Kaa AA, Mr. Tony Verhallen Original design and layout: Heldergroen (www.heldergroen.nl) Printing: Franciscan Kolbe Press, Limuru, Kenya, press@ofmconvkenya.org Contact: Brothers CMM, Rhapta Road, P.O.Box 14916 Nairobi, Westlands 00800, Kenya E-mail: magazine@cmmbrothers.nl Website: www.cmmbrothers.org A voluntary contribution to meet the costs of the magazine is appreciated: ING Bank Account 106 85 17 for Fraters CMM Tilburg. For international transfer, please use: IBAN: NL30INGB0001068517 BIC: INGBNL2A

Photograph front cover: Panel in the library of the brother house in Belo Horizonte (Brazil) with a kind of ‘spiritual family tree’ of the Congregation. The founder, ‘Joannes Zwijsen, is at the center. View also ‘Images of Headquarters’ on the pages 6-7. The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt.

Photograph back cover: Plants survive the night-frost in the community garden of De Vuurhaard, Udenhout (photo: Brother Ad de Kok).

IMAGES OF HEADQUARTERS

YEAR OF MERCY

THE TREASURE IN THE FIELD

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF BERNADETTE

FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD Pope Francis opened the ‘Year of Mercy’ in Rome on December 8, 2015. The year’s starting date coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council. This very significant Church council clearly reflected the theme of mercy. The Pope proclaimed this special year for the Catholic Church in the bull Misericordiae vultus, The Face of Mercy. In it he calls mercy “the fundamental law that dwells in the heart of every person who looks sincerely into the eyes of his brothers and sisters on the path of life”. This reflects the essence of who the Brothers CMM are. After all, ‘mercy’ belongs to the Congregation’s core business. The start of the Year of Mercy inspired the beginning of a new rubric in this magazine that relates to it. Brother Harrie van Geene, former superior general, will take care of this section. This issue of Brothers CMM inaugurates a second new rubric: ‘Images of Apostolate’. The first installment takes the readers, with the help of pictures, to the ‘Children’s Village’ in the Brazilian city of Coronel Fabriciano. Additionally this issue presents the last installment of ‘Images of Headquarters’. The journal displays pictures of the regional headquarters of the Brothers CMM in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. These and many other pictures linked to the article about the Congregation present a fascinating view of the world of the Brothers CMM. The editors wish you a Blessed Christmas and a grace-filled New Year. And especially a ‘Year of Mercy’.

IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE

CONSECRATED LIFE IN AFRICA

HOSPITALITY AND GOD’S CREATION

AN INSPIRING DAY OF ENCOUNTER

SYMBOLS

BROTHERS MEET ASSOCIATES

NEWS IN BRIEF

‘HIS GRACE IS NEAR’

CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

This summer the encyclical Laudato si’ from Pope Francis was published. The famous Canticle of the Sun by St. Francis of Assisi was for the Pope a source of inspiration. In his encyclical he also calls for the protection of ‘sister earth’. The Pope sees climate protection as a sacred trust for Christians. He calls people everywhere on earth to be aware of the urgency of the threats to which the climate worldwide is exposed to.

“Particular appreciation is owed to those who tirelessly seek to resolve the tragic effects of environmental degradation on the lives of the world’s poorest” (Laudato si’, 13). In regards to this quote from the encyclical I would like to say that our Congregation traditionally strives to place the poorest in the world at the center of attention. We see this as a permanent assignment. During my travels I often see signs of the growing climate problem. For instance, when I arrived this autumn in Manila, this huge city lay hidden beneath the black smoke. Also in East Timor there were undeniable signs of pollution. These phenomena are often part of the reality of everyday life. Also in the areas where the brothers live and work. The widespread nature of these problems can give us a paralyzing sense of helplessness. While I am convinced that by and large the solutions are close at hand.

As brothers we need to strive to lead by example. We also share the responsibility for God’s creation. It begins very simply and very close at home. Do we take care of the environment of our communities and schools? Do we clean up the clutter? For example, do we plant trees at our schools? These schools have to be a ‘good home’! As brothers we want to be close in our lives and work to the people. We need to be the hands and eyes of the people we guide: our pupils and students. And brothers must dare to be role models. In your own modest life there is the possibility and the mission of a good beginning. The new encyclical of Pope Francis teaches us to focus on one of the vital areas where the efforts of many ordinary people can lead to big improvements. At meetings with the brothers during the visitations I draw attention to this issue. The message of the Gospel and our own spirituality of mercy and care for the vulnerable can inspire us continuously. Brother Lawrence Obiko in an interview with Rien Vissers

CONCERNING BROTHER ANDREAS

A HEALTHY WALK Where could one find Brother Andreas if you needed him? You’d look first in his classroom or the Ruwenberg study hall. But one would often find him in the garden or in the woods around the boarding school. Brother Andreas was a fervent walker.

Being a farmer’s son he loved to be outside. In the strictly structured life of the boarding school one could find many opportunities to go outside. Twice a week the students took a walk guided by one of the teachers if the weather was not too bad. Furthermore, the brothers customarily went for a walk a few times a week during their recreation time. They also had daily spiritual exercises outside. In the morning many brothers went to the Lourdes grotto or did their spiritual reading while slowly walking on one of the garden paths. The brothers’ rule of life encouraged being outside: “The superiors will see to it that the brothers, who because of their occupation … seldom get outdoors, often walk in the open air, for instance during the hours of relaxation and when the weather allows for it.” Brother Andreas gladly obeyed that regulation. Not only because walking was healthy, it was particularly true for teachers who often stayed inside. This was also a time for brotherhood and community life. One could more easily have a conversation during a walk than while sitting in a circle. Going for a walk together could be meaningful, it brought distraction, and quite often provided pleasant or inspiring moments. It is not surprising that many brothers and students remember Brother Andreas for his walks. That was the time when he was at his best. “During a walk I could keep on conversing with him”, wrote Brother Modestus Spierings.

View on the façade of Ruwenberg.

On Saturday July 21, 1917 Brother Andreas took his final walk accompanied by the Brothers Modestus and Melchior. The walk took an hour and a half to get to his brother who lived at a farm in Berkel. The family objected that they would walk back, so a carriage took them home. Yet, that trip apparently had been too demanding because soon afterward Brother Andreas had a nasty cough and it turned out that he had severe pneumonia. He did not recover and passed away two weeks later. Brother Andreas loved to walk so much that he overestimated his strength. Brother Andreas, at age 75, could not imagine that a walk could be too long.

Charles van Leeuwen

IMAGES OF HEADQUARTERS

REGIONAL HOUSE: BRAZIL The next two pages contain pictures of the brother house in Belo Horizonte. From this house the region of the Brothers CMM in Brazil is being administered. This is the sixth and at the same time the final instalment of the feature that started in 2013 and highlighted the headquarters in the various countries where the brothers are active.

Entrance to the complex of the headquarters on Rua Ancieta.

Entrance to the complex of the headquarters on Rua Itororรณ.

Garden.

Chapel and library (left), view from the garden.

Chapel.

Library.

Refectory.

Living room.

YEAR OF MERCY

COUNCIL OF MERCY ‘Mercy’ is a core concept in the spirituality of the Brothers CMM. The ‘Year of Mercy’ that Pope Francis announced offers a unique opportunity to ask attention for it. In the upcoming editions of ‘Brothers CMM’ former Superior General Brother Harrie van Geene will take on this task in this special year. The focus of his first contribution deals with Vatican Council II. The fact is that the opening of the Year of Mercy took place on December 8, 2015, the 50th anniversary of the closing of this significant meeting of the Church.

When Vatican Council II (1962-1965) started I was a theology student in Nijmegen. As many as four of my professors were taken along by the council fathers as periti, as experts. Being students we eagerly profited from our contacts with those professors: a first secret concept, a point of discussion, some news, an anecdote, a confidential message. It was an exiting time. Also at the coffee in the morning there was much discussion among the little group of four student-brothers who were living at the time at Graafseweg in Nijmegen. The former Superior General Brother Novatus Vinckx loved to involve us students in all sorts of new developments. For example in ‘The New Vespers’ and ‘A New Rule of Life’.

As far as the Church was concerned, it was a fascinating time for us. The sixteen council documents (Constitutions, Decrees, Declarations) were read, often discussed and sometimes studied rather meticulously. Quite a few different subjects passed the review. Much of that time will be remembered: the renewal of the liturgy, the inspiration of the Bible, the challenges of the modern world, ecumenism, the contribution of the laity, freedom of religion, the signs of the times, the hierarchy of values, responsible parenthood, etc. And now, fifty years later, much is taken up again. There is quite a lot that that rings very familiar. Much resounds in quotations, terminology and thoughts in our own Constitutions of 1990, by now 25 years ago. There is, however, in the worldwide rereading of the council one thing that is in fact really new to me. Never before had I seen it that distinctly. Perhaps it is that after fifty years you can see things more clearly. The Italian theologian Fabio Ciardi renders it concisely as follows: “The parable of the Good Samaritan, that is the paradigm of the spirituality of Vatican II.” Mercy is not just a theme, a topic, an attention point of the council. Mercy is the general spiritual framework the council presented to the Church of Jesus fifty years ago. Over and over again during the past number of years I came across that notion of mercy as the spiritual bedrock. It is mercy that is the inspiration for everything in the Church. Mercy is the focus for all of life. That is what really has struck me as a brother in the Congregation that considers mercy as of old as the heart of life. Brother Harrie van Geene

Logo of the Year of Mercy. The translation of the Latin text reads: ‘Merciful as the Father’. 8

THE NETHERLANDS

Brother Harrie van Geene (left) addresses the celebrated brothers. In front on the right, left to right, Wout van den Hout, Mart Kroezen, Sjaak Maas.

THE TREASURE IN THE FIELD Three brothers celebrated their religious anniversary on August 28, 2015 at the residential care facility Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg, the Netherlands. On that day, seventy years ago, Brother Sjaak Maas entered the Congregation. The Brothers Wout van den Hout and Mart Kroezen joined ten years later. During the vespers on that feast day former Superior General Brother Harrie van Geene addressed the celebrating three brothers. He presented a reflection on the text in the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 13, verse 44: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Below is the text of his reflection. The American theologian, Sandra Schneiders, completed her impressive study on the religious life in 2013. Her work produced three solid books of no less 1684 pages. I am not convinced that Sjaak, Wout, and Mart would be thrilled if I, on the occasion of their 70th and 60th anniversaries of religious life, would give them this trilogy as a present. Still, from all that scholarship I would like to draw your attention to something very simple: the titles of those books. They sound very poetic: ‘Finding the Treasure’, ‘Selling All’, ‘Buying the Field’. They are the exact words of Jesus’ parable of ‘The Treasure in the Field’, we just listened to at the Scripture reading. They precisely identify the components of power of religious life. As we begin to celebrate these anniversaries we want to focus for a moment on the core issue. In reality, whether you’re still a novice, live the mature life as a brother, or belong to the older age group of brothers, three things continue to be important in the life of a brother: discovering the treasure, having to let it go either

by choice or by the situation, and finally and most importantly share your true wealth again and again.

Secret of life The first point is searching for and finding the treasure. It’s all about religious life, the life as a brother, and foremost about a precious, hidden treasure. The image of a treasure or a pearl often appears in many sacred writings of the world religions. A jewel is a very fitting image of course for a diamond or platinum anniversary. The precious treasure refers naturally to the secret of life. What is it that will give my life meaning, quality, cohesion, and perspective? Where will you look for that? What have you discovered already. Let us be a bit more concrete about the precious treasures in the lives of our honoured brothers. The special treasures in our lives often remain hidden. Anniversary celebrations are just such opportunities to dig up some treasures. Our honourees are privileged. Of course not 9

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everything was a bed of roses. Yet, all of them can look back on a harmonious home life when they were young. They had in their youth the chance to explore a number of talents. Then they had a long industrious and fruitful life in the Congregation’s ambiance in the Netherlands, Kenya, and Namibia where they had special attention for those in need. After that, all three of them show a vital presence in the brotherhood and a strikingly extensive interest in things to think about, to enjoy, and to get active. Even though we humans have an insatiable desire for more, better, longer, and higher, it is important to realize how privileged we already are actually. We could say that destiny has looked with favour on these three brothers. For us believers these privileges have a sender. We not only feel privileged but also thankful. From the depth of our heart we can say “Thanks be to God”. Still, we remain different as brothers. For each the treasure will have its own colours. And that is its richness. Many brothers, in the past as well as today, will continue to see ‘merciful love and brotherhood’ as their treasured pearls. That was their first love. That is still their treasure and that’s still where their heart is. That is where their longing goes out to: to merciful love and brotherhood.

Elderly) and with choirs. They worked at many venues in the Netherlands and Kenya, with boy scouts, with students, and with the elderly. Those were not only the domains for productivity and professional competence; they were also domains for humanness, for mercy and for brotherhood. There they could give their neighbours all that is good in service, hospitality, in giving them space, and - if need be give them new opportunities. In the spirit of Jesus they could bring a little more humaneness. Even up till today our honourees do have their small fields. For, even though age brings its limitations, one’s attention can still go out to the treasures of goodness, beauty, knowledge, holiness, integrity, possibilities in oneself and in others.

Vows The second point: sell all you have. The flipside of that positive discovery of that pearl shows a couple of very strong ‘no’s’. Yes, in religious life one has to ‘sell’ a couple of necessary things. Now we enter into the domain of the vows: no exclusive partner for life, no private possessions, no career planning or setting up one’s own residence. Those are the consequences of the special choice for a life of merciful love and brotherhood. Our lives as brothers continue to challenge us putting power, sexuality, and material possession into perspective. The attachment to a treasure in life demands detachment as well. Again and again we face the fact that we have to let go of more and more, either by choice or forced by circumstances. Fidelity turns out to be lifelong task.

Greater humanness Finally the third point: buying the field. Looking at the honourees from a business perspective we can say that the three brothers have a very respectable service record. Throughout many years - we could use a metaphor here - they were allowed to work on a variety of small fields. They worked in a classroom, a printing business, a biology lab, a black neighbourhood, as receptionist at a KBO (Catholic Organization for the

The celebrated brothers at the banquet.

Gratitude On this anniversary celebration the parable of the Treasure in the Field presents us with a simple story about our lives as brothers. The treasure, which we discover and which is entrusted to us, can, especially on this day, inspire us to GRATITUDE. Additionally, we may take PRIDE in the fact that on all those little fields we bought we could contribute to justice, mercy, and fidelity. And finally, reflecting on our lives at the occasion of this anniversary celebration, it gives us a feeling of MODESTY. With Paul we also have the experience that “we share this treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Cor. 4:7). Our Constitutions continue to encourage us with the words: “The ideal to which we know ourselves called, can only be approached step by step, in a limited and broken way. The presence of the Lord, in whose Name we are together, gives us hope, however, that we may be able to realize with joy this life of service” (Constitutions I, 74-75). Brother Harrie van Geene

THE NETHERLANDS

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF BERNADETTE From 11-16 September 2015 a pilgrimage to Lourdes took place, organized by the Dutch Pilgrimages to Lourdes for the Sick. Participating in this pilgrimage were the Brothers Harrie van Geene, Rob Swinkels and Ben Maijvis, Brother Vincent Simonis (member of the Congregation of Our Lady of Sorrows and connected with the CMM Community in Vught) as well as Christianne van de Wal, associated member of CMM. The latter reports on a rather special tour of discovery through the world-famous French place of pilgrimage.

It was a fascinating journey, full of variety with lots of highlights and surprise. One of the activities during a free moment in between all the celebrations was a walk through Lourdes, in the footsteps of Bernadette Soubirous. Keen to do so were Brother Rob Swinkels and the undersigned, because we had been reading about it (on Sunday mornings) already for several months and we looked at the photographs about the life of Bernadette. But the photographs and accompanying texts were sometimes mainly for Rob quite confusing. This was certainly true for the house where Bernadette grew up with her parents. Each

The Brothers Rob Swinkels (left) and Harrie van Geene in Lourdes.

On the way in Lourdes. time the house looked different. That is why we hoped to get more clarity in Lourdes itself. With Brother Ben Maijvis and Vincent Simonis joining us and with the warm sun shining we followed the Blue Line that runs across the pavements of Lourdes, interrupted by painted flowers with six petals for the six stages of the life of Bernadette. At those stages we were invited first to discover the place, then the event connected to it, and finally the message that accompanied it.

Modest Brother Ben Maijvis (left) and Brother Vincent Simonis looking at the souvenir shop.

Apart from the Bernadette Museum (we ran out of time that afternoon!) we stopped at every important moment in the life of the 14-year-old 11

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Votive candles. girl, who on 11 February 1858 witnessed the first of 18 apparitions of Our Lady in the grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes. However, the first stop, the Boly Mill, we could not find at first! One street in, one street out … and we got lost a bit. After asking several times we finally arrived not at the mill, but at the ‘Cachot’, where Bernadette had lived for a while, most certainly

during the apparitions. We wanted to stay a bit longer in this impressive but impoverished little house in order to read the story of the past, but because of the endless stream of visitors we were kindly requested to keep moving. We then went to the parish church. Bernadette never was there, because it was built only after her death. But in that church was the baptismal font, in which Bernadette had been baptized (and we saw a beautiful statue of St. Vincent at the entrance of the church!). A little further down the street stood the old presbytery where Bernadette used to tell Father Peyramale about the apparitions. We did not go in, but we admired a bronze statue offering a stunning likeness of Bernadette, and the façade of the house across the street revealed in stone the portraits of Bernadette and her parents. After that we walked to the Hospice where Bernadette stayed with the Sisters of Charity before her departure for Nevers. On account of its simple modesty this hospice is attractive to see.

The Boly Mill.

The Family Soubirous And then, after a few hours of walking we went once again searching for the Boly Mill! We approached several Dutch pilgrims and with their help we arrived at long last at the mill. Brother Rob was delighted. This was the place where Bernadette was born and where she spent the first happy years of her life. The layout of the Mill provided a good picture of the lifestyle of the Soubirous Family in the nineteenth century. This solved the puzzle of the walk ways in Lourdes, but through this visit we were happy to put the confusing photographs preceding our trip into their proper place. Christianne van de Wal

Brother Rob Swinkels having a well-deserved beer after completing the pilgrimage of discovery. 12

IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE

‘CHILDREN’S VILLAGE’ IN BRAZIL Worldwide the Congregation is being confronted with all sorts of material and spiritual needs. In her apostolate, together with others she tries to alleviate these. The first instalment of this new feature focuses on ‘Cidade dos Meninos’ (‘Children’s Village’). Since 1993 this project in the Brazilian city of Coronel Fabriciano has been supported by the Brothers CMM. Due to generous activities of assistance in the Netherlands the facilities have been improved considerably and the guidance could become more professional.

Entrance gate of the Children’s Village with Tia Geralda, a volunteer, and Brother Theo Adams, the regional superior of the Brothers CMM in Brazil.

Brother Domingos Tjeunfin, director of the Children’s Village.

Children in the dining room. In the background Brother Pedro Guterres looks on.

IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE

Woodstove in the old kitchen. The cook fills the plates for the afternoon meal.

Brother Theo Adams visits the secretariat where he has been working for twenty years.

Playroom in the day nursery.

Dormitory for children from three months till two years.

A look in the kitchen of the nursery.

One of the day care homes for a maximum of ten children and adolescents who have been placed here by the child protection.

YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE

HOSPITALITY AND GOD’S CREATION In August and October 2015 the number four and five instalments in the series ‘Joy!’ for the Year of Consecrated Life appeared, containing materials for reflection for the brothers and associate members of the Congregation. ‘The joy of our hospitality’ and ‘Joy in God’s creation’ respectively were the titles of these publications. A special honour fell to the composers of the series.

In the tradition of the Brothers CMM providing hospitality has always been very important. The fourth instalment of Joy! is related to it. Dealing with God’s creation is central in this fifth publication. There is special attention for the encyclical Laudato si’ in which Pope Francis focuses on the global ecological crisis and advocates for a universal approach to combat this problem. One quote from this document: “I want to recognize, encourage and thank all those striving in countless ways to guarantee the protection of the home which we share. Particular appreciation is owed to those who tirelessly seek to resolve the tragic effects of environmental degradation on the lives of the world’s poorest” (Laudato si’ 13). On that issue the readers were asked the following question: “What does this statement mean to you personally? How do you share in the co-responsibility for God’s creation? How do you share that experience of care and responsibility with your fellow brothers, sisters and friends?

Special treat The series ‘Joy! ’ is being compose by a working group with the pleasant-sounding name ‘The Happy Brother’, consisting of Brother Edward Gresnigt, Brother Niek Hanckmann, general board member of the Congregation, and Charles van Leeuwen study secretary of CMM. Their efforts for the Year of Consecrated Life were recognized by the Conference of Dutch Religious (KNR). In March of this year the conference called upon the religious to pass on what the Year of Consecrated Life had generated in terms of creative and inspiring initiatives. The three most

The KNR special treat in Den Bosch. From left to right: Gerard Moorman, Brother Edward Gresnigt and Charles van Leeuwen. special entries would be presented with a special treat in Den Bosch, this in company of one of the coworkers of the KNR of their choice. The work of ‘Joy! ’ was well received and was awarded with a special treat on September 30. On account of a special general board meeting Brother Niek Hanckmann was unable to attend. It took place in the company of Gerard Moorman, co-worker of KNR. His task at the KNR is to highlight relevant missionary themes and activities, that are mainly focused on the supporters of religious in the Netherlands. The instalments of ‘Joy! ’ appears in Dutch, English, Indonesian and Portuguese and can be found under ‘news’ at www.cmmbrothers.org. Peter van Zoest 15

YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE

CONFERENCE ON THE CONSECRATED LIFE IN AFRICA From September 22 - 26, 2015 a well attended conference took place in the Kenyan capital Nairobi about the Consecrated Life in Africa. The Vatican was represented by Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Communities of Apostolic Life. Among the more than one thousand participants who met for five days in the Pope Paul VI Study Center of the Catholic University of East Africa, were the Brothers Martin Mwau, Elija Osena Agilo, Zaccheaus Odongo Atieno, Augustine Monari Nyansimora and Nicodemus Orang’i Otundo. The last mentioned reports the following.

the Gospel are being attuned to the African culture. The style of religious formation, the charism itself, prayer and liturgy, the structure of governance, forms of apostolate and the lifestyle, they all need to be enculturated - thus was the firm conclusion.

Commemoration

View of the conference, with left Cardinal João Braz de Aviz. The theme of the Consecrated Life in Africa was developed according to the apostolic letter Pope Francis wrote to all religious on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life. In it he invites them to look back during this year with gratitude to the past, to live the present with passion and to embrace the future with hope. In other words: we need to know who our founders are to maintain the essence of our charism, to give attention to the present culture and to project ourselves into the future with renewed energy.

The last day of the conference began with a prayer service in memory of those consecrated who in the Church of Kenia are considered ‘saints’ and ‘martyrs’. This was followed by the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by Cardinal João Braz de Aviz. It is a joy to know that there have been men and women in Kenya who have given their entire life to the love of Christ and in the service of the Church. It re-enforced the concept among the participants that the Church is never complete without religious life. frater Nicodemus Orang’i Otundo

Enculturation Religious life not only asks for a personal witness, but also for the witness of an evangelizing community. The proclamation of Jesus Christ as Saviour of all people, the option for the poor and promoting justice are the demands the Gospel holds out to religious. A strong emphasis fell on the importance of dialogue, both within the Church as with other Christians and other religions. Likewise the necessity of enculturation was stressed, whereby the fundamental values of

Brother Nicodemus Orang’i Otundo

YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE

AN INSPIRING DAY OF ENCOUNTER The Diocese of Den Bosch organized on October 1, 2015 for members of religious orders and congregations, secular institutes and new movements a diocesan day of encounter in connection with the Year of Consecrated Life. The day started in the morning with the celebration of the Eucharist in the Cathedral Basilica of St. John in Den Bosch and continued in the afternoon at the neighbouring St. John’s Center, a former brother house and presently a formation center for the priesthood and the diaconate. Among the 160 persons that attended there were seven brothers. During the day former Superior General Brother Broer Huitema gave one of the presentations.

Antoon Hurkmans, Bishop of Den Bosch and principal celebrant of the Eucharistic celebration was pleased with the gathering of so many different charisms in communion with the universal Church. On the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux that was being celebrated on that day he sketched in his homily a very personal picture as to how he, in all simplicity following in the footsteps of Thérèse, experiences depth in his daily meditative rosary. With every decade he pauses for a moment at a mystery of salvation and reflects it against the reality of his own life. That reality he envisions in the image of a garden, where there is beauty in lovely flowers, but that also needs weeding.

Witnesses During lunchtime it was greatly appreciated by everyone that Bishop Hurkmans took time to greet everyone with a personal word of attention. Auxiliary Bishop Robert Mutsaerts was the entire day present for the program. After lunch five persons spoke about their own lives. Through their testimony they shared the charism of their institute and thereby inspired and encouraged those in attendance. Late in the afternoon the day ended with an informal gathering.

Brother Broer Huitema delivers his presentation.

Enthusiasm Marieke van den Berg of the Focolare Movement spoke by using a few instances from the life of Mary as to how Jesus became alive in Mary and how Mary can be for us an example of letting Christ become a reality in our every day life. Recently the Focolare community of Nieuwkuijk took in one hundred refugees from Syria and Eritrea. They were between the ages of 15 and 18. Marieke indicated that also the Holy Family was once a refugee. Mathilde, a young sister from the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood verbalized with great enthusiasm her religious stance in life filled with a myriad of daily activities. In fact she referred to Pope Francis, who at the start of the Year of Consecrated Life that now is being celebrated, summoned the religious to look to the past with gratitude, to live the present with passion and to embrace the future with hope. The charism of the sisters is reminiscent of the passionate and redeeming love of Christ, who shed his blood for us. The joy about it they love to pass on!

YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE

Icon painter Sister Delian de Brouwer during her introduction.

The mystery of God The Norbertine Frank van Roermund spoke about the connection between science (astronomy) and faith. He marvels at the work of God in the cosmos and in the lives of people. As a religious he loves to make a contribution to give people meaning in their lives and by doing so to his own life. By presenting two icons, icon painter Sister Delian de Brouwer SCMM told how after a lifetime of work she found inspiration in the attractive richness of Russian

Superior General Brother Lawrence Obiko in conversation with some sisters. In the background to the right is Auxiliary Bishop Rob Mutsaers.

icons. In it and by the teaching of courses in icon painting she sees signposts for the deepening of her own spiritual life. In the painting of icons and in her teaching she is able to visually unveil something of the mystery of God and thereby inspiring her students.

Exciting process The story of Brother Broer Huitema was centered on the theme of ‘transition’, of letting go and recommitting himself again. After having reached the age of 65 and now that he is a religious for 48 years, including 24 years in the general board and 12 years as Superior General of the Brothers CMM, he has inserted a sabbatical period in his life. Looking back feelings of gratitude, gentleness and trust come to the fore: peace and a coming to terms with the past. And in looking forward there is a vague feeling, a vacuum of not-knowing what will be. The rediscovery of a new balance in his life between the things that are essential to the religious life and the challenges that come to him he experiences as an exciting process. Aging consciously he considers as a mission, which he will meet with an attitude of ‘let your love go out to everything that is alive!’ Brother Edward Gresnigt

SYMBOLS

THOSE WHO LIVE FROM HOPE During the 2014 General Chapter, all chapter members were asked to present a symbol expressing their vision on the future of the Congregation, their mission, or their personal religious life. This yielded a number of fascinating stories. ‘Brothers CMM’ will publish a selection of them. This edition presents the symbol of Brother Edward Gresnigt, at the time general board member of the Brothers CMM.

At a get-together about ‘new missionaries’ in the Netherlands, Sister Mary Ringnalda FDNSC opened the meeting prayer. In light of the upcoming 2014 General Chapter this prayer touched me very much. Because for some 350 missionaries who have come to the Netherlands the last couple of years, the future for them in a sense is as uncertain as it was when I was sent to California some 50 years ago. However, the future for all people remains uncertain. And yet, for all those who try to live faithfully on the Way of Mercy and Brotherhood, there is hope. As consecrated members of the Congregation of the Brothers CMM we can take heart in the statement of our Rule of Life where it says that: “The outlook He gives on the future, should increasingly become our perspective also.” And that outlook, as we specifically celebrate during this Easter Season is a positive one of hope, because we know that, beyond failure and suffering, only that which is good will, in the end, inherit the future. This prayer is a thought-provoking reflection. It is both comforting as well as challenging. In it I find the ‘mansuete et fortiter’ of our founder Bishop Joannes Zwijsen. On the one hand it is daring to faithfully trust in Him. On the other hand it also takes courage to gently take on with the Spirit of Jesus new attitudes of mind and heart, both towards the past and the future, as well as towards others and myself.

THOSE WHO LIVE FROM HOPE Those who live from hope expect the new and affirm the old. Those who live from hope dare to confront themselves as a way towards renewal. Those who live from hope dare to cooperate with those who are different from us. Those who live from hope dare to share in new forms of community of men and women. Those who live from hope dare to pray: Come holy Spirit send your breath over all of us who believe and over all of us when at times we doubt. Spirit of Jesus, we ask you: May your fire raise our spirits and may your breath inspire all of us today and all days. Amen.

At this time, so close to Pentecost, I hope and pray, as Pope Francis said, that we “allow ourselves to be touched by the impulse of grace contained in the seed of the word, which must grow in us and may blossom out into concrete service to our neighbour.” I would like to give everyone a copy of this prayerful reflection in his own language. Brother Edward Gresnigt

INTERNATIONAL

BROTHERS MEET WITH ASSOCIATES At the present time the Congregation has nine associate members in the Netherlands. These lay people - men and women - live their lives based on the same inspiration as the brothers. The 2014 General Chapter expressed the desire to look into the possibility of implementing a similar set-up for associate members in other countries. Both Kenya and Brazil have already lay people who live and work with the Congregation. On June 21, a meeting took place at the Generalate of the Brothers CMM of five Dutch associates, six brothers from Indonesia and four from Kenya, who were in the Netherlands for a formation program. Christianne van de Wal, associate member of CMM reports.

Brother Paul Damen, coordinator of the meeting opened the session with a cordial word of welcome and invited everyone to share with the group how he or she experiences his or her membership in the Congregation as a brother or an associate and what it means to belong to the CMM family.

“We are willing to look for ways which will make it possible for some people, as associates or otherwise, to participate in our life and work without sharing our way of life in everything” (Constitutions I, 365).

Getting Acquainted We started with an icebreaker in order to get a sense of each other’s name, voice and activities within the Congregation. A variety of careers were represented: nurse, secretary, teacher, farmer, student, etc. One of the brothers remarked that he was grateful to meet the associates, for up to that time he only knew their names from the congregational Calendar. Now the names had ‘taken on a face’. After this first round of getting acquainted the members split up in three smaller groups where the conversations continued and expanded. It was interesting to hear how the brothers and associates were touched by brotherhood and especially by the spirituality of the Congregation of the Brothers CMM. Each of us had his or her own unique experience. That was also true for the way in which mercy plays a role in our lives. The brothers from Kenya and

Indonesia were really interested in the way in which the associates were part of the Dutch province of CMM. They hoped that a similar set-up of associate membership could be developed in their provinces and they applauded the Congregation for supporting this effort.

Repeat The Superior General Brother Lawrence Obiko, concluded the meeting with a word of gratitude for the organizers of this timely initiative. He commented that this was the first time such a meeting took place. He expressed his satisfaction with this initiative and hoped that it would become a yearly event where (young) brothers from abroad would be present. The associates too hope for a repeat of this inspiring get-together. Christianne van de Wal, associate member CMM

Associates and brothers together in the chapter room of the Generalate in Tilburg.

NEWS IN BRIEF

BROTHERS CMM IN THE ‘VINCENTIAN ENCYCLOPEDIA’

EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE OF A NOVICE IN KENYA

As was reported in the previous edition of Brothers CMM the Vincentian Family Executive Committee had decided to expand the board with representatives of three branches of the family, including the Brothers CMM. Since 2009 the Congregation is actively involved in the leadership and formation programs of the Vincentian Family. The Superior General Brother Lawrence Obiko is a member of the board, assisted by the former superior general, Brother Broer Huitema. As its newest member Brother Lawrence Obiko presented a report to the board dealing with the way in which the Congregation of the Brothers CMM, as one of the smaller branches of the Vincentian Family, is inspired by the Vincentian spirituality. This report was recently published in the ‘Vincentian Encyclopedia’. The article presents in brief a good picture of the Congregation. It sketches its foundation and its development into a worldwide organization. To read the article visit: http://famvin.org/wiki/Brothers_CMM.

Brother Licious Katjiri, a novice from Namibia, gained practical experience in Nairobi, Kenya. While stationed at the provincial house of CMM, he worked at a Brother school for orphans and Licious Katjiri. in the slums. “I learned here a lot”, he writes in his short report for the Brothers CMM. “The following passage in our Constitutions (I, 77) has become dear to me, more than ever before: ‘Our evangelical life, our service to the Church, our contribution to the happiness of the large community of mankind, stem from and have as starting-point the community in which we live.’ I was especially inspired by the way we live as brothers, specifically by our sense of community, which we experience in our simple prayers. As a novice I feel privileged to be part of this. Our spirituality as a CMM family encourages me not only to serve the brothers with whom I live in community, but it also opens my heart to serve all people. I am happy that I could put into practice what I received in my formation. Spiritually I have matured and because of this I will better be able to assume an apostolic task. In that regard I must always and everywhere keep in mind that it is very important for us religious to find a healthy balance. We have to be alert not to get wrapped up to such a degree in a certain assignment that we start neglecting all kinds of other responsibilities. I am grateful that as a novice I was challenged as a follower of Jesus to let go of constraining earthly concerns and to commit myself completely to what the Lord wants from me.”

mercy

brotherhood

simplicity

trust in God

You think that you are being called? We welcome new brothers and others who want to join us.

IN MEMORIAM

WORLD YOUTH DAYS 2016 In 2016 the Brothers CMM will organize a journey to Krakow for eighty youths from seven different countries. The organization is in the hands of the Worldwide Brotherhood (WWB), the international youth movement of the Brothers CMM. The young people who belong to this organization, known as the WWB Ambassadors, dedicate themselves within their own cultural setting to mercy and brotherhood/ sisterhood. The WWB has been around since the Sydney World Youth Days of 2008. The WWB Ambassadors also participated in the events in Madrid (2011) and in Rio de Janeiro (2013). In the meantime the WWB has grown to about three hundred young people in Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Namibia, the Netherlands, East Timor and Tanzania. Before they start their journey to Krakow, the participating young people will be receiving spiritual enrichment in their own countries during six monthly meetings. These enrichment materials have been prepared by the Brothers CMM and the ambassadors who have already been involved in the movement in their own countries. The young people who participate will meet each other in Tilburg in July 2016 during an intensive workweek of Bible meditations, prayerful celebrations, and cultural activities. After this week the group will set out for the World Youth Days. This journey of the ambassadors is not the end but a means to create and develop a worldwide and ever growing movement. For more information visit: www.worldwidebrotherhood.com.

WWB Ambassadors at the time of the World Youth Days in Rio de Janeiro.

BROTHER

Arie (A.J.) van Dijk He was born in Poeldijk on February 1, 1918 and entered the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy in Tilburg on March 19, 1936. He made his profession for life on August 15, 1940. He died on September 23, 2015 in the community of Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg and was buried at the brothersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cemetery at the estate Steenwijk in Vught, the Netherlands. Brother Arie entered the world as the sixth child of a horticultural family in Poeldijk. He entered the Congregation at the age of 17, where he lived a life of simplicity and service, prayer and brotherhood. Most of his years were spent serving his fellow brothers and guests in housekeeping and as porter at various brother houses. For a long time he was in the brother house of the institute for the blind in Grave and Nijmegen and in the brother house Petrus Donders in Tilburg. During the last sixteen years he lived at the Joannes Zwijsen community where, though retired, he made himself constantly useful. His family was important to him. He enjoyed spending his vacation time with them and even at an advanced age he would ask at times a fellow brother to drive him to Poeldijk, in the Westland area, in order to visit his family. Prayer and spiritual life played an important role in his life. His religiosity was especially visible in his cheerfulness and kindness, his loyalty and availability and his great positive attitude towards the gift of life; and life did not disappoint him. September 22 was a very normal day for him. He visited the chiropodist and the barber. He passed away in his sleep early the next morning.

‘HIS GRACE IS NEAR’ (From the Rule of Life of the Brothers CMM)

‘HIS GRACE IS NEAR’ “When, through certain circumstances, we are unable to work any longer, we should try to accept this situation. … In this way, the conviction that life is more than work will stay alive in our midst.”

This passage (239 and 241) from our Constitutions in a chapter called ‘To serve the people’ has always made a deep impression on me. At the end of this chapter on work in all its aspects, about our mission, it asserts abruptly: be aware that life is more than work. Work plays an essential role in our lives. Is it not the very purpose of our Congregation?

This holds true not just for brothers. For in what way do you maintain your self-esteem when you become unemployed? What happens when you have identified yourself too strongly with your function; how will you carry on when that assignment is gone? The occasional complaint of the mother that feels useless when the children have left the home is very similar.

Our rule of life realizes very well that it is a challenge to give meaning to one’s life when one is no longer able to work. That is the crux: a task to give meaning to your life, to your mission as a brother, in a new and different way. It is for this reason that the word ‘try’ is being used.

Be aware that life is more than work. For those who are fully involved in their career it is not a bad idea to step back and contemplate this. This definitely also applies to our young fellow brothers. Brother Wim Verschuren

IT IS A GOOD THING THAT OUR AFFECTIVE LIFE GROWS IN DEPTH AND RICHNESS. THEN WE CAN REALLY BE PRESENT TO OUR NEIGHBOUR WITH OUR WHOLE HEART. (from the Rule of Life of the Brothers CMM)

Magazine of the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy