Magazine Brothers CMM 2016/1 by CMM Brothers

BROTHERS CMM 1/16

| ‘INDONESIA LEADS’ | ‘MEMORIES FROM AMSTERDAM’ | ‘ON WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN BUILT?’ | VINCENTIAN FAMILY MEETS IN ROME

CONTENTS

CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

CONCERNING BROTHER ANDREAS

MISSION STATEMENT

Colofon

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: Kenya: female inmates and a female security guard pose with a box filled with tools they received from the ‘Father Grol’s Welfare Project’. See ‘Images of Apostolate’ on the pages 6-8.

The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt.

Photograph back cover: Refugees in the brother house De Vuurhaard in Udenhout. (photo: Brother Ad de Kok).

IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE

YEAR OF MERCY

‘INDONESIA LEADS’

FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD The ‘Year of Mercy’ that is being celebrated in the Church from 8 December 2015 till 20 November 2016 is in full swing when this spring issue of the Brothers CMM appears. ‘Doing mercy’ is practiced every day by the Congregation of the Brothers CMM, officially called the ‘Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy’. The fact that Pope Francis called for a special Year of Mercy means for all brothers a recognition of their dedication towards the ‘works of mercy’ and an enormous incentive to continue with it. The fact that the dedication to mercy is very diverse finds its expression in this issue. The feature ‘Images of Apostolate’ demonstrates rather explicitly one of the ‘works of mercy’: visiting the prisoners. This takes place in Kenya within the framework of the project of which Brother Linus Schoutsen is the coordinator. A completely different concern of the brothers is with the worldwide ‘Movement of Mercy’, advanced by the French Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660), that developed into the worldwide ‘Vincentian Family’. The Superior General of the Brothers CMM, Brother Lawrence Obiko and Brother Broer Huitema recently participated for the first time in the executive board meeting of this Family. Afterwards a meeting of the representatives of the various branches of the Vincentian Family took place. Part of it is the deepening of the Vincentian spirituality. As Brother Broer Huitema indicates in a report it was enriching for the participants who were strengthened by it carrying out the Vincentian message of mercy.

MEMORIES FROM AMSTERDAM

JOYFUL IN GOD’S MERCY

‘ON WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN BUILT?’

VINCENTIAN FAMILY MEETS IN ROME

WERELDJONGERENDAGEN KRAKOW 2016 In 2016 organiseren we een reis naar de Wereldjongerendagen in Krakow voor 80 nieuwe ambassadors uit 7 verschillende landen, waaronder Nederland… Ben JIJ erbij?

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SYMBOLS

NEWS IN BRIEF

IN MEMORIAM

‘HIS GRACE IS NEAR’

22-5-2015 11:44:08

23 3

CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

Together with Brother Broer Huitema I participated in the yearly conference of the Vincentian Family in Rome from 21 January till 24 January 2016. It was the first time for me to attend such a conference. I am glad to share my most vivid impressions of these inspirational days with the readers of ‘Brothers CMM’.

From the very first day I felt a strong family spirit! Religious and lay people with very diverse backgrounds and hailing from all over the world had a sense of belonging together. You did not feel being an outsider. There was a collective desire to experience the spirituality of Vincent. This shared spirituality calls for a constant growth in depth and equally for a growing collaboration that will bear fruit. There were encouraging examples of practical activities. Six years ago long suffering Haiti was hit by an earthquake. The Vincentian Family managed to collaborate successfully in the very difficult and poignant local situation. In the last couple of years successful projects have been developed in South Sudan as well. Our Congregation was able to provide support in both cases. The question presented itself to me how we could collaborate more fully with members of the Vincentian Family in our own areas. I know that in many areas promising contacts are taking place centering on celebrations and collective spiritual enrichment. In the meantime these contacts have developed to such a degree that they can function as the basis for further growth. Here I am thinking about initiatives for concrete actions. You see a need and what are you going to do about it then?

The Vincentian Family is in a position to form a worldwide network of collaboration even more than is the case at the present time. The vigour of this network has to become continuously more manifest. I will use the Netherlands as an example. During its meetings the Vincentian Family will be able in the near future to focus effectively on refugees who seek a safe haven in the Netherlands. Individually the religious communities can not do much. In this context what forms of collaboration are beneficial? We are talking about combining our forces; and not only within the Vincentian Family, but also with other organizations. We want to collaborate, while maintaining our own colour and identity. Our Rule of Life says: “As a community we belong in the midst of the reality and the currents of the world. There the Lord is waiting for us.” The Vincentian Family is an organization in which and by which we are able to realize at the local site our own and our shared spirituality. We may be confident that these actions will be Gospel based and therefore liberating. Brother Lawrence Obiko in an interview with Rien Vissers

CONCERNING BROTHER ANDREAS

FIGHTING LUKEWARMNESS Bishop Zwijsen intensely disliked lukewarm religious. He always called upon his brothers and sisters to make their vocation true and authentic and not cut corners. His letters and conferences often contain warnings against lukewarmness. He used the word in the closing page of ‘Gemeenzame Gesprekken’ (Familiar Discourses). It was part of the last instructions he gave shortly before his death. Zwijsen trusted that the brothers and sisters would work hard and commit themselves totally to their mission and to community life.

that time, and the children in their boarding schools, started the day with a French song: ‘Vive Jésus dans nos cœurs’ (‘May Jesus live in our hearts’). All concluded it with a loud “A jamais!” (“Yes, forever!”).

Brother Andreas, hand on his heart, with some students.

The special dedication of Zwijsen’s religious became evident in all kind of ways. For example, the brothers’ Rule of Life of 1857 includes the following short sentence referring to the daily schedule: “At four thirty in the morning, in winter as well as in summer, a signal to rise shall be given, upon which each one shall commit himself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and rise immediately.” The very beginning of the brother’s day was demanding. Not only were the brothers to rise early, they had to get up “immediately”. Notice the remarkable and significant observation to “commit himself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus”. The brothers at

Zwijsen’s family of religious had a special devotion to the Sacred Heart. Actually to the Sacred Hearts, since, as the Rule of Life put it, the Sacred Heart of Mary was “very similar to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus”. The Congregation had attached its name to the Sacred Heart of Mary where, Zwijsen declared, “we find all the virtues, especially mercy”. In that veneration the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary conveyed a variety of meanings. The devotion solicited sensitive surrender and total faith from the heart. It also presented a daily reminder of God’s mercy and nurtured the promise to make that mercy a reality every day in one’s mission. And it definitely indicted lukewarmness. The devotion to the Sacred Heart took center stage in those years in order to inspire a radical, fervent, and heartfelt faith. Brother Andreas’ fervent devotion to the Sacred Heart should not surprise anyone. Every day he dedicated himself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and sang the French prayer; first while in Teachers Training College and later at Ruwenberg boarding school. He lived the spirituality of the heart and followed Bishop Zwijsen unreservedly in his disgust of lukewarmness. Zeal, cordiality, and perseverance characterized Brother Andreas’ personality. When it came to religious issues he showed himself to be a radical, driven, and stubborn man who would not compromise as befitted a Zwijsen brother. Charles van Leeuwen

IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE

‘FATHER GROL’S WELFARE PROJECT’ IN KENYA 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 second instalment of this feature focuses on ‘Father Grol’s Welfare Project’ in Kenya. Brother Linus Schoutsen is the coordinator of this project. This initiative makes a stand for the rights of inmates. It empowers them to participate in a training, provides instructional materials and offers them assistance when they return into society. The project also facilitates materials for recreational activities such as clothing, medicine, tools, books and magazines.

A car of the Father Grol’s Welfare Project with the text indicating what the organization stands for: ‘Prisoners are people too!’

Brother Linus Schoutsen in conversation with mothers who are imprisoned.

Brother Linus Schoutsen takes some notes in his agenda at his office.

Female inmates enjoying themselves with song and dance.

Brother Linus Schoutsen addresses the inmates during a soccer tournament.

An inmate resigned to his fate.

Inmates playing volleyball.

Inmates listen to Brother Linus Schoutsen.

Inmates at work.

IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE

Inmates getting training in sewing.

Brother Linus Schoutsen presents a tool-box to an inmate who will be released in a few days.

An inmate opens a tool-box he just received.

Female inmates and a prison matron pose with a box filled with materials.

Inmates with toolboxes they just received.

Prisoners who are about to be released with a tool-box.

YEAR OF MERCY

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

PARADIGM OF MERCY ‘Mercy’ is a core concept in the spirituality of the Brothers CMM. The ‘Year of Mercy’ that is being celebrated in the Catholic Church from 8 December 2015 till 20 November 2016, offers a unique opportunity to bring this to the attention of the readers of ‘Brothers CMM’. Former Superior General Brother Harrie van Geene took that task upon him. In this regard this second contribution is connected with his first article about the Second Vatican Council in ‘Brothers CMM’ 4/15.

The opening address of Pope John XXIII and the closing address of Pope Paul VI form remarkable bookends of the entire Second Vatican Council. It was a revelation for me. When Pope John XXIII opened the Council in 1962, he said: “Nowadays, however, the Spouse of Christ prefers to make use of the medicine of MERCY rather than that of severity.” And Pope Paul VI closed the Council in 1965 with the words: “We prefer to point out how MERCY has been the principal religious feature of the Second Vatican Council.” The day before the closing of Vatican II, on 7 December 1965, the promulgation took place of Gaudium et Spes - The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, the last council document. It proved to be a final chord of mercy: mercy for the modern world, an attitude of openness and dialogue with optimism and hope. The great council theologian Yves Congar spoke about Gaudium et Spes as “the Promised Land of the Council”. The first sentence of this document states: “The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the people of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes,

the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts.” And a little further: “That is why the Church realizes that it is truly linked with humanity and its history by the deepest of bonds.” These words about mercy have been included on purpose in the Rule of Life of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy: “Together with other like-minded persons we know ourselves to be part of the people of God and of all mankind. Therefore, the joy and hope, the sorrow and anguish of the local church, of the universal church and of all people will also be ours.” (Const. I, 176-177). It is for these reasons therefore that these words play such a distinctive role in the rethinking of the Second Vatican Council by Pope Francis. At Radboud University in Nijmegen an international conference on Gaudium et Spes took place on 4 December 2015 entitled: ‘A Continuing Challenge?’. Yes, an ongoing challenge of … mercy. Brother Harrie van Geene

INDONESIA

The participants of the meeting.

‘INDONESIA LEADS’: TRAINING FOR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS From 8 January till 16 January 2016, the Don Bosco Foundation and the Brothers CMM organized an intensive training conference for school leaders at ‘Syantikara’, a conference center of the Sisters of Carolus Borromeus in Yogyakarta. The meeting for school principals (both brothers and lay personnel), was focused on the improvement of the quality of leadership and professionalism.

The focus of the first three days was on ‘The Principal’s Leadership and Professionalism in the Improvement of Educational Quality, Environment and Character of the Students at the Don Bosco Foundation of Manado’. The second part of the conference was facilitated by a team of ‘Great-Life Resources’, an Indonesian organization for leadership training in collaboration with the Foundation ‘Insan Sekolah Kasih’, parents concerned about education, and the education team of the Diocese of Semarang. The motto of this part was ‘Indonesia Leads: A Leadership Program for 1000 School Principals’. The leadership training program ‘Indonesia Leads’ has as its goal to be a key factor in changing the people of Indonesia towards a loftier and more dignified nation in the world, starting with education.

Apostolate In looking back at the conference, the Provincial Superior Brother Martinus Max Mangundap said: “The meeting was a very important one: 10

combining our understanding of a vision as a principal while facing the challenges that exist in each area of work.” The conference was for him and for the brothers also a reminder that the task of the brothers in in the field of education is an important dimension of the apostolic mission of the Congregation.

New insights One of the participants, Brother Lukas Mandagi, chairman of the Don Bosco Foundation in Manado, summarized his experience as such: “The content of this conference was very attractive. What we learned fits the present situation very well.” He hoped that the participants of ‘Indonesia Leads’ will put the new insights into practice and spread what they obtained to other teachers. “Thus it can have a positive impact on our schools, parents, students, but also on society”, according to Brother Lukas Mandagi. Brother Fransiskus Linus

THE NETHERLANDS

MEMORIES FROM AMSTERDAM On 19 August 1960 it was public knowledge in Tilburg that the Brothers CMM would go to Amsterdam. It said so in ‘Rooms Leven’ (Roman Catholic Life), the well-read Church publication in Tilburg. The article spoke with great optimism about the future work of the brothers at the elementary school in Nieuwe Lelie Street in the Jordaan neighbourhood of Amsterdam. The inclusion of Brother Euberto de Kort above all created in the project great confidence for the mission, given his sterling reputation as headmaster and leader of the music band ‘Vogelen Zang’, (Birds’ Song) in the ‘Broekhoven II’ parish of Tilburg.

The Amsterdam community in 1961 in an apartment building in Buitenveldert. From left to right the Brothers Gabinus Oor, Caspar de Leeuw, André de Veer, Euberto de Kort.

On 1 September 1960 the Brothers Euberto de Kort, Adelbertus (André) de Veer and Caspar de Leeuw marched cheerfully into the Aloysius School in the Jordaan neighbourhood to take on their educational task. This cheerfulness turned quickly into bewilderment when gangs of students took over the building and ran around the school, screaming, fighting, desk hopping, singing and whistling. Their confidence shaken, the brothers asked themselves during break-time if they would ever be able to manage as teachers here. The number of cavorting, fighting, undisciplined gangs on the much too small

schoolyard forced them into a painful defense. The brothers faced a true ‘culture-shock’: they barely understood the language of the students and were totally unprepared for the joshing, assertive Jordaan chaos.

Getting used to Slowly these Brabant school masters started getting used to their students. Empathy grew for their living conditions in the crammed, decrepit, 17th century tenements, with five or six units per tenement, under, above and next 11

THE NETHERLANDS

a time when an alcoholic drink was still taboo in the Congregation. Permanent living quarters for the community came about in 1961, when the house in Vossius Street was purchased and remodeled. It still took several years before there was a stable instructional atmosphere at St. Aloysius School. Four brothers had to be transferred by the Congregation due to their shaky mental well-being. They were replaced by brothers and lay people who had a better knack for working in the Jordaan neighbourhood.

Conquer your own domain

Brother house at Vossius Street. to each other. No surprise that the pub was the only living room for many of the people of the Jordaan and it was a place with good singing too by great talents like Johnny Jordaan, Tante Leen, and Willi Alberti. Most of the students had never attended Kindergarten and when they entered first grade they were barely or not at all prepared to sit together and to learn together. The more the brothers understood and valued their students the better the instruction; but it remained demanding and exhausting work. When school was out they would usually sit wearily around the coffee table reporting on the adventures of the day.

Permanent living conditions The leadership of the Congregation supported the Jordaan pioneers as well as possible. Great care was given to their living quarters. After staying a few months with the Brothers of Huijbergen the community settled in an apartment building in the Buitenveldert neighbourhood. It was livable but they had to make do. On a certain day Brother Engelbert Verrijt from the General Board stopped by. When he saw the worn-out, pale faces of the brothers he said: “It would be a good idea to have a stiff drink, you need it. Get what you want and I will square it with the superior general.” This permission was granted at 12

At the end of August 1966 I was transferred from the Teachers Training College to the community in Amsterdam and put in charge of the second grade of the St. Aloysius School. From the very beginning I realized I dearly needed my more experienced colleagues in order to be able to succeed as a teacher. Every afternoon, when school was over, the Brothers Euberto, Maximino Jansen, André and myself sat around the coffee table, battle-weary, and shared our experiences. That daily half-hour coffee break helped me through many difficulties. The little guys from the Jordaan were not exactly planning to accept me from the moment go. Somehow I had to conquer my own domain. To make matters even more difficult we barely understood each other. I spoke standard Dutch with a Brabant accent and they spoke the slang of the Jordaan. When I tried to explain something I could tell from a few faces that some at least understood me. I called them to my desk and appointed them to be ‘Miss-Help’ and ‘Mister-Help’. I divided my students into four or five groups under the leadership of these assistants. To my surprise this worked pretty effectively right away. Even after my Jordaan language improved I used this method quite often. Some ‘Jordaan-moms’ used to bring their children personally into the classroom and then proceeded hanging around in the back of the room exchanging the neighbourhood gossip critiquing my teaching style. Every morning at least eight to ten ladies ‘cackled’ in my classroom. This annoying custom could not be discussed, but I made it as boring for the ladies as I could. As soon as the students entered the classroom a page with math problems was waiting on their desk which they had to complete right away. Before they finished their first assignment most moms had left.

‘Jordaan capitalism’ One day I found a box with plastic money. This money turned out to be a great motivational tool for the students. When the parents of the Jordaan wanted

to get something done by their children they would reward them for rendered services with a quarter or a dime. I applied this Jordaan capitalism with panache in my class. As a true disciple of Jan Ligthart, a pioneer in educational renewal, I could reach my students with rewards. I had plenty of money and was generous. Every week it was a game to see which group and which students had earned the most. This way I was able to get them involved and we learned a lot. Of course they remained undisciplined youngsters of the Jordaan as young as they were. When I walked with my pupils for the first time through the city, all the children in a straight line, things went well till the first street corner. At the next corner most had escaped and by the time we arrived at church for our monthly Mass, I had five left. Rarely did we manage to play or pray with a full house. Wednesday afternoon there was no school. Every Wednesday morning there were about ten students truant for they did not think it worth their while to attend school for a short morning. They traveled by tram through the entire city without paying and raided the big stores like Bijenkorf, V&D, and Hema. Around eleven o’clock the first phone calls starting coming in at school from security officers in these stores who had caught our students red-handed.

engagement, the older ones with obedience to the rule (though an experimental one) and with the punctual performance of study and work assignments under the leadership of the superior. The spirituality of mercy and brotherhood had not been developed and was not yet ready to inspire and reconcile old and young. For me personally it meant liberation when I got to deal with new challenges in the Hague and Scheveningen in 1970. Of the younger brothers in Amsterdam not one remained a member of the Congregation.

Good times Four years I spent in Amsterdam and experienced good times with the Brothers Euberto, Maximino, and André. I thoroughly enjoyed my work in the Jordaan neighbourhood. My study and my involvement with the student parish have had a lasting impact on my life, for which I am still grateful. Brother Pieter-Jan van Lierop

Revolutionary situation In the meantime a revolutionary situation had developed both within the Church and within society. I owe a lot to those days in Amsterdam. At the time the Brothers Euberto, Fulgens Brugmans, and myself followed a master’s program in theology at Catholic Theological University. I needed that course badly. Although my work at school was rather challenging and rewarding to me, my religious foundation was weak and I quickly ended up on shaky ground. At the advice of the Brothers Euberto and Fulgens I chose for a theological study program. I was also a member of the Amsterdam student parish with the priests Jan van Kilsdonk and Huub Oosterhuis as their bestknown pastors. I learned to live my life as a brother in a secular and modern way. While many of my friends said farewell to religious life, I was allowed to acquire sufficient sustenance to respond to my calling and to find happiness in it.

Generational conflict

Brother Pieter-Jan van Lierop with schoolchildren.

In 1969 the Amsterdam community changed drastically. Four young brothers came to Amsterdam to study at the university or at the Teachers Training College. Soon a kind of generational conflict developed at Vossius Street. The younger brothers were busy with self-determination, democratization and social 13

KENYA

Scotland’s Edinburgh Castle is built on a massive rock.

‘ON WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN BUILT?’ Kenya’s Brother Augustine Monari of the community in Mosocho wrote a remarkable reflection. It provided contemplation material for four brothers who, in December 2015, made their profession for life. The editors, after consulting with him, decided to share his meditation with the readers of ‘Brothers CMM’ and be an inspiration. “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set on solid rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined” (Matthew 7:24-27).

Storm Why do some people become stronger in adversity while others are destroyed by it? We hear about people who committed suicide after they lost all their money, but also about people who remained strong while they faced enormous losses. We can point to the text quoted here. The one house did not collapse when the storm hit it. The storm only revealed its true foundation. Everyone knows stormy periods in life. Some get wiped out by it, others remain standing. Our foundation makes all the difference. On what have you been 14

built? The foundation strongly influences what will happen when things don’t go as planned. Interestingly such foundation is not immediately evident. We need to keep that in mind. On the surface everyone may appear strong as long as everything goes according to plan. But one’s depth gets displayed in adversity. Your foundation’s strength does not depend on academic knowledge. It is built on your heart’s knowledge. Do you really believe in what you proclaim that you believe? Tribulation tests one to discover this. Only when your faith gets tested will you find whether you have true faith. This also applies to relationships. Absence of conflicts does not insure the best relations. Finding one another after a conflict again makes the relationship better and stronger.

Enticing We first have to avoid rifts. Rifts occur when you deal with flexible norms. When things get difficult and complicated you choose the easiest and quickest way out and you compromise. Yet, in doing this you create hairline fractures in your foundation. And when you give in on small things it logically becomes more

acceptable to take the easier way out on big things. It is not wise to create a façade and pretend to be different from who one actually is. I’d rather have you hate me for whom I am than have you love me for whom I am not. When we have the habit of following the shortest or easiest way, we are enticed to pursue it, like following the shortest way to gain riches if we have the opportunity. Practice makes perfect. If we allow ourselves a little deception in small things we will become very skilled in deceiving ourselves when big things come our way.

True strength It is very important, therefore, to build our foundation on the confidence we have in ourselves as persons and not on the position or title we hold in society. True strength does not need a title to exert authority. If our strength is based on the title we hold in the office and not on who we are as persons, we’ll fall apart when we lose our job or retire. For in wisdom lives “a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, agile, clear, unstained, certain, not baneful, loving the good, keen, unhampered, beneficent, kindly, firm, secure, tranquil, all-powerful, all-seeing, and pervading all spirits, though they be intelligent, pure, and very subtle. For wisdom is mobile beyond all motion, and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity” (Wisdom 7:22-24). “Hear therefore, kings, and understand; learn, you magistrates of the earth’s expanse! Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude and lord it over throngs of peoples! Because authority was given you by the Lord and sovereignty by the Most High, who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels! Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you judged not rightly, and did not keep the law, nor walk according to the will of God. Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you, because judgment is stern for the exalted – for the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy, but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test” (Wisdom 6:1-6).

thankfulness for the abundance God gave us. On all of us – the good as well as the bad – He bestowed the same time, love, and life. Our thankfulness unlocks the fullness of life and only expands all that we received. It will turn denial into acceptance, chaos into order, and confusion into clarity. It can change a meal into a feast, a house into a home, and a stranger into a friend. It converts complaints into compliments and reverses what is negative into something positive. The community becomes a home for everyone and the light that will conquer darkness brings with it an endless celebration of thanksgiving. We thank the one eternal God for who we are as brothers and for what we were privileged to receive from him who is the giver of all that is good.

Strong foundation A good foundation; and what after that? I can tell you that there is much more than what you felt in discerning your vocation. Do not focus on difficulties or dismay. Hardships come and go, but the strong become stronger. Let us all speak the same strong and positive words over our communities, regions, provinces, and the whole Congregation. When all the brothers have the same strong foundation and the same positive mindset and put their trust in it, something special will happen. Do not forget that words will turn into deeds and our deeds determine our destiny. Brother Augustine Monari

Key to success Fellow brothers, may we learn the wisdom of the heart and not exceed her boundaries. Trust how God has made you. There you find the key to success in times of adversity. When things go bad for me I always look in the mirror and talk to myself. And I say: “I am more than the misery I now experience.” Then perspectives of my future supersede the pain I experienced in the past. It helps to look forward to something in the future. One does not find true happiness in material wealth one may assemble; we find it in our

Brother Augustine Monari. 15

YEAR OF MERCY

YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE

JOYFUL IN GOD’S MERCY In December 2015 and in February 2016 the numbers six and seven in the series ‘Joy!’ for the Year of Consecrated Life appeared, containing reflection materials for the brothers and associate members of the Congregation. ‘The joy of our prayer’ and ‘Joyful in God’s mercy’ respectively were the titles of these publications. The seventh issue is the last one of this ‘year of religious’ and at the same time the first in the ‘Year of Mercy’, which is being celebrated in the Catholic Church at this time.

The series Joy! was composed by a working group consisting Brother Edward Gresnigt, Brother Niek Hanckmann, General Board member of the Congregation, and Charles van Leeuwen, CMM study secretary spirituality and history. The boards of the Brothers CMM and the Sisters SCMM also asked this working group to provide a series of reflection materials for the Year of Mercy, which runs from 8 December 2015 until 20 November 2016. The name Joy! of the series that is now closed is derived from the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, the Joy of the Gospel of Pope Francis. By giving the latest issue the title ‘Joyful in God’s Mercy’, the link is being made with the Year of Mercy, which has as its motto: ‘Misericordes sicut Pater’, Merciful as the Father’. The new series is entitled: Mercy Now!. The reflections focus on ‘places of mercy’. They are to be found in the encounter with God and with people, for example in ecclesiastical and diaconal context. In the first instalment the encounter with the mercy of God the Father is central in the encounter with Jesus Christ.

Booklet Besides this bimonthly series, the Congregations of the Brothers CMM and the Sisters SCMM want to compose for the Year of Mercy a reflection booklet with texts about mercy and photos or illustrations depicting mercy. This can be used in their own circles, but also together with others, for example in discussion groups. Brothers, sisters and associate members are kindly asked to submit texts and images that have inspired them in religious life.

The publication of Joy! and Mercy now! are being published in Dutch, English, Indonesian and Portuguese and can be found at www.cmmbrothers.org. Peter van Zoest

Logo ‘Mater Misericordiae’, ‘Mother of Mercy’, designed by Giovanni Stissi for the sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Elemosina in Biancavilla, Italy. It is used in the various CMM publications within the context of the Year of Mercy, along with the official Vatican logo for this year (see page 9). ‘Our Lady, Mother of Mercy’ is the name of the Congregations of the Brothers CMM and the Sisters SCMM.

INTERNATIONAL

The Executive Committee of the Vincentian Family. Back row, far right: Brother Broer Huitema with next to him Brother Lawrence Obiko. Third from right: Father Gregory Gay.

VINCENTIAN FAMILY MEETS IN ROME On 22 January 2016 the Vincentian Family Executive Committee came together in Rome for their annual meeting. For the Superior General of the Brothers CMM, Brother Lawrence Obiko, this was the first time he participated in this meeting. He was accompanied by Brother Broer Huitema, whose report follows.

The board organizes every two years a meeting for representatives of the various branches of the Vincentian Family and initiates and coordinates a number of committees and projects. Up till 2015 the Executive Committee consisted of a restricted number of members: the Superiors General of the Congregations of the Vincentians and the Daughters of Charity as well as the President of the International Society of Vincent de Paul. The Superior General of the Vincentians, Father Gregory Gay, took the initiative to expand the Executive Committee with some extra members. Our Congregation was invited to participate as one of its members. This is something special. Within the Vincentian Family our Congregation forms but a small part. The fact, however, that CMM from the start has played a very active role in the Vincentian Family, was for Father Gregory Gay the reason to ask us to join the Executive Committee.

400 years of Vincentian charism It was a huge agenda and the executive meeting lasted from 8.30 am till 7 pm! Many topics were discussed, too many to be mentioned here. I will confine myself to a few points which are also relevant to our Congregation. One of the proposals which was accepted is the celebration of 400 years of Vincentian charism. In 1617 two important events took place which to Vincent meant a turning point in his life and which marked the beginning of his work for the poor: in Folleville and ChĂ˘tillon. This will be commemorated in 2017. The Vincentian Family in the Netherlands is also invited to participate. We will soon hear more about it. Another theme which was interesting to me were the activities of the members of the Vincentian Family at the United Nations. Some five members are represented at the UN. They work together with other organizations in the

INTERNATIONAL

Intensive cooperation

Representatives of the various branches of the Vincentian Family.

fight against poverty. It is not fully clear what exactly their influence on UN policies is, but their presence also on our behalf - is important. And, it is a long-term involvement. In conclusion I like to mention the project of the Vincentian Family in Haiti. This is being supported by various congregations, financially and with personnel. It began in 2010. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world. Via education and small loans an attempt was made to provide the poor with some means of independent living. This is also a long term project considering the extent of the poverty. Our Congregation also supports this project. It is a good example of mutual solidarity among the members of the Vincentian Family.

Impression of a meeting of members of the Vincentian Family.

The Executive Committee meeting was followed by the bi-annual gathering of leaders of organizations and congregations belonging to the Vincentian Family, together with national coordinators of the family. January 23 and 24 saw more than 70 participants from 20 countries coming together on the theme: ‘Cooperation within the Vincentian Family’. They exchanged thoughts about a more intensive cooperation between the members of this family, the problems experienced, the challenges facing us and the opportunities offered by greater cooperation. The discussion focused on three aspects: the need to get to know each other better, the importance of the formation of the members and the challenges on concrete cooperation in projects for the poor. Concerning the latter: good initiatives have surfaced worldwide, but in many countries we have only just started. It all begins with getting to know one another. In quite a few countries one meets regularly already for many years, but elsewhere the process has only just begun. The participants stressed the importance of meetings at local, regional and national levels. By getting to know one another mutual trust grows, the fear of losing one’s identity is diminished, the atmosphere of competition is surpassed and we learn where support is needed. Deepening the Vincentian spirituality is part of the meetings. Here we touch common ground. The formation activities are widely appreciated; they provide depth and are of great value to the participants and contribute to a growing awareness of the necessity of the option for the poor. The cooperation in actual projects need not be seen as a goal in itself. It’s about alleviating concrete needs and cooperation has meaning and is important when and where the various partners can supplement one another. Here we can say with Vincent: “On the road we have to travel together, the poor are our Masters.” Even though that road is long, there are hopeful initiatives, both at the national and at the international level and it was encouraging to gain more information about a number of those projects. It was extremely interesting to come together with so many participants from various countries. It was also inspiring to meet such a blend of people, young and old, religious and lay people, men and women, all inspired by what Vincent de Paul in his time managed to achieve, all keen to actively spread his message. Brother Broer Huitema

SYMBOLS

FAMILY During the 2014 General Chapter, all chapter members were asked to present a symbol expressing their vision on the future of the Congregation, on their mission, or on 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 Lawrence Obiko, at the time general board member of the Brothers CMM. During the General Chapter he was elected Superior General.

The symbol that is shown here is a Makonde sculpture. The Makonde is an ethnic group originally from Southeast Tanzania and the Northern part of Mozambique. Nowadays they live all over Tanzania and Mozambique and they also have a small community in Kenya. Looking at this sculpture, there are a few details that come to the fore: • T he people support each other, forming a chain. They are strongly interwoven into a beautiful unity. • E ach of the persons is presenting a bowl containing food. • T heir faces express a sense of joy. Looking at this sculpture in the context of the motto of the General Chapter, Hopeful and Faithful on the Way of Brotherhood and Mercy, I see the CMM Family tree, of which I am a member. For me the above mentioned details take on special meaning: • I have a sense of belonging to this family, a family that is faithful and strongly united in faith and hope. • A s a member of this family this sculpture symbolizes my own contribution to the wellbeing of the family in a spirit of brotherhood. • It also symbolizes my availability to go the way of mercy, sharing my time and talents with others. Brother Lawrence Obiko

NEWS IN BRIEF

On the way to the World Youth Days In 2016 the Brothers CMM organize a journey to the World Youth Days in Krakow for 80 young people of 7 different countries. The are called the ‘Ambassadors of a Worldwide Brotherhood’.

National Preparation Program In January of this year the national preparations started. Every country group gathers approximately once a month for a Bible meditation, sharing, and creative activities. The material for these activities is prepared by one of the country groups. When translations are done they are spread to the other country groups. In that way we work in our country gatherings worldwide together! Short reports or videos of these meetings are to be seen at the website www. worldwidebrotherhood.com or at www.facebook.com/AmbassadorsWWB.

Support us! The Brothers CMM take care of most of the financing of this journey, together with a few other religious organizations. You are kindly invited to contribute on (IBAN) NL40 RABO 0120904403 on account of Fraters CMM Tilburg Ambassadors WWB. (BIC) RABONL2U.

More information? www.worldwidebrotherhood.com www.Facebook.com/AmbassadorsWWB

JUBILEES OF BROTHERS IN 2016 70 years

PROFESSION FOR LIFE IN KENYA On 4 December 2015 the profession for life was celebrated at Cardinal Otunga High School in Mosocho, Kenya. The Brothers Martin Mwau Kasiva, Zaccheaus Odongo, Elijah Osena Agilo and Nicodemus Orang’i Otundo made their profession for life during a Eucharistic celebration. The Bishop of Homa Bay, Philip Arnold Anyolo, presided at the ceremony. The Superior General Brother Lawrence Obiko accepted the profession for life of the four brothers and received them for their entire life in the Congregation.

29 August: Brother Hermenegildus Beris, Brother Egidius de Laat

60 years

29 August: Brother Kees Hems, Brother Frans Janssen

50 years

22 august: Brother Jan Berkers

25 years

1 May: Brother Francis Otieno Odoyo, Brother Richard Sure 12 May: Brother Marten Rukka, Brother Gerfasius Soli 20 October: Brother John Karungai, Brother John Kirui Kipkorir

NEWS IN BRIEF

LIVING IN A RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY The Eleousa community is a small community of Brothers CMM in Vught, the Netherlands. New residents are welcome. If you would like to live in a community and if this profile fits you, then contact us.

Profile Your characteristics: Man or woman Between the ages of 25 and 60 You are active in life and have a job or do volunteer work You are a Catholic

Our characteristics: The core of our spirituality is mercy Our community is constantly searching for inspiration We have an open attitude towards each other We dedicate ourselves toward a better world There is respect and room for each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s uniqueness There is room for personal development

Our expectations: When you are at home, you participate in the meals and celebrations We share the household chores with each other We share our life in community and ask a contribution for room and board

We offer: A community with an open attitude: there is room for development of the uniqueness of the community A quiet living environment at a beautiful estate An caring attitude towards buildings, gardens and our animals A life of rest and regularity A possibility of many colourful encounters (kloosterhotel ZIN, Movement of Mercy)

For more information: Telephone: 073-6577044 E-mail: huitemabroer@gmail.com

IN MEMORIAM

BROTHER

Valerius (J.J.Th.) Ceresa Jan (J.) Claveaux He was born on 26 July 1925 at Maaseik, Belgium, and entered the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy on 19 March 1945. He made his profession for life on 15 August 1949. He died 1 January 2016 at Jessa Hospital - Hasselt (Belgium) - and was buried at the cemetery of ZonhovenCentrum.

He was born at Tilburg, the Netherlands, on 22 April 1929 and entered the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy on 29 August 1946. He made his profession for life on 15 August 1951. He died 29 January 2016 in the Community of Joannes Zwijsen at Tilburg and was buried at the cemetery of the brothers at the estate Steenwijk, in Vught.

Brother Valerius has - in the tradition of the Congregation - committed himself to the young on their way to adulthood. He taught them at St. Jozef School at Zonhoven and at Savio School at Meulenberg, where with others he founded the Flemish Youth Organization, Chiro. In 1968 he was appointed headmaster of the St. Jozef School at Lanaken. In 1985 he retired from teaching, but did not enter a period of rest. For seven years (1989-1996) he was a member of the pastoral team serving three parishes in Lanaken, involved in catechesis, home visiting and supporting church services in the Parish of St. Servaes. A few times Brother Valerius was asked explicitly to serve the Congregation. He was a member of a congregational working group, superior and deputy of the community at Zonhoven. He also was the archivist for the region of the Brothers CMM in Belgium. With the advance of years his vitality and social contacts diminished. On New Year’s Day Brother Valerius was suddenly called to his Lord and Creator. His dedication, his willingness to serve and his fidelity will certainly be rewarded by the Merciful Father.

Jan was the eldest of a family of three children. The good example and exhortations of Brother Hubert were behind Jan’s choice to live as a brother. For nearly seventy years he was a member of the Congregation of the Brothers CMM. His Congo period (1962-1975) had a major impact on his life. It was especially at ‘Pie X Collège’ in Luluabourg that he helped to build the future of the young Republic Congo. It hurt him very much when forced by the political situation that he had to leave the African country. But the people and the country Congo he took with him in his heart. As secretary of the ‘Afrika Europa Netwerk’ he remained connected to the weal and woe of Africa. Mid-2006 he served as an international observer at the elections in Congo. Brother Jan served the community of the brothers well. In a few communities he took on leadership roles. He was a member of the congregational working group ‘Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation’ and became the chairman of ‘Foundation Sparrenhof’, which offers holiday opportunities to less fortunate children. In this Year of Mercy we take leave of Brother Jan and entrust him to his Creator. With his talents he has tried to be a merciful brother to many. Our hearts are filled with gratitude.

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

LIVING IN GOD’S PRESENCE It is this year already six years ago that Brother Ad Mommers died. After 42 years in Africa he lived for 10 years in our Community of Eleousa. Here he had good years and everyone loved him. Quite often he was found near the chickens and the ducks and sometimes talking with guests. He used to do a lot of spiritual reading. A little while ago I discovered again a text of his. This is what he wrote:

At the General Chapter of 1984 at which I participated as the delegate of Kenya, the General Board presented a ‘Basic Programme’. The first line in it was: ‘Jesus, the Merciful, our Brother, way of living in God’s presence’. That struck me; it came to me as a bright insight. Maybe you will ask yourself: Why did the wording ‘living in God’s presence’ only struck you in 1984 and does it still strike you today? I think that it was only then that I truly understood it and that ‘living in God’s presence’ therefore became the heart of my daily life. I had done all those religious things before, but it really had not taken a hold of me. Suddenly it became clear to me that prayer and meditation and celebration all are at the service of my life in God’s presence. And that God is present in my work and in my contact with people. Then it became clear to me what our Rule of Life says: “As a community we belong in the midst of the reality and the currents of the world. There the Lord is waiting for us. His grace is near: hidden but active.”

There is something else why living in God’s presence helped me to put all the pieces together. There was a big change in how I looked in my experience upon God. From the God who from that ‘Eye in the Sky’ looks at me in a judging and punishing way, to a God who lovingly cares for me. The rediscovery of mercy is wrapped up in all of this. But, you might ask, how do you experience this in your daily life now, at this moment? That is not so easy to talk about . There are a few prayers that accompany me almost daily. Through these prayers I experience not only my union with God, but also my union with people in their search for God, for happiness and for peace. Finally I must confess that it is not always all that easy. There are times when I experience only God’s absence and sometimes it pops up in my mind: “Isn’t all this just nonsense? What I am doing?” Then I try to say with Thomas: “My Lord and my God” and with Peter: “Son of the Living God, to whom shall we go? Please, help my unbelief.” Brother Wim Verschuren

AS BROTHERS, WE STRIVE TO ACCOMPANY ALL THOSE WHOM WE MEET ON THEIR WAY TO A FUTURE CHARACTERIZED FOR ALL BY UNCERTAINTY AND HOPE. (from the Rule of Life of the Brothers CMM)

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