Brothers CMM 17/2 by CMM Brothers

BROTHERS CMM 2/17

| VINCENTIAN PILGRIMAGE | BIOGRAPHY ABOUT BROTHER ANDREAS | SPIRITUALITY IN A TRIPTYCH

CONTENTS

CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

CONCERNING BROTHER ANDREAS

COLOPHON Mission statement Mercy belongs to all times and places. 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.

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 Editorial Board: Nathalie Bastiaansen (chief editor), Br. Edward Gresnigt, Br. Ad de Kok, Mr. Peter van Zoest (executive editor) Translation: Br. Edward Gresnigt, Mr. Peter Huybers, Fr. Jan van der Kaa AA, Mr. Tony Verhallen, Nathalie Bastiaansen Original design and layout: Heldergroen (www.heldergroen.nl) Printing: Franciscan Kolbe Press, Limuru, Kenya, press@kenyafriars.org Contact: Brothers CMM, Rhapta Road, P.O.Box 14916 Nairobi, Westlands 00800, Kenya. Email: Brother Leo van de Weijer: brotherleo42@gmail.com Contact: Brothers CMM, P.O.Box 89, Windhoek, Namibia. E-mail: Brother Athanasius Onyoni: atonyoni@gmail.com 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: The kitchen garden of the Eleousa community with in the background part of Kloosterhotel ZIN. (photo: Mascha van Kleef). See pages 14-16.

The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt. Photograph back cover: Botanical garden in Rome (photo: Brother Ad de Kok). 2

VINCENTIAN PILGRIMAGE

BIOGRAPHY ABOUT BROTHER ANDREAS

SPIRITUALITY IN A TRIPTYCH

IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE

NEWS IN BRIEF

‘SEE MY PEOPLE’

FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD This issue of Brothers CMM pays ample attention to candidate-blessed Brother Andreas van den Boer. Local historians of his place of birth Udenhout wrote a biography about him to commemorate the 100th year of his death. On 30 June 2017 the book presentation of Jan van den Boer, Frater Andreas 1841-1917, een eerbiedwaardige Udenhouter (Jan van den Boer, Brother Andreas 1841-1917, a Venerable of Udenhout) took place. All year long the congregation remembers in a variety of ways the centenary of the death of Brother Andreas. During the Dutch province day Brother Jan Koppens seized the opportunity to dedicate a reflection to him. This year the ‘400 Years of Vincentian Charism’ is celebrated as well. The worldwide Vincentian Family commemorates two events in the life of Vincent de Paul (15811660) that resulted in his conversion. They took place 400 years ago in the French places of Folleville and Châtillon. From that time forward he would dedicate his life to the poor and became the patron saint of the Sisters SCMM and the Brothers CMM. In cooperation with the brothers, the Dutch Vincentian Family organized from 1 till 13 May, 2017 a journey through history and the reality of the spirituality and charism of Vincent de Paul. In Brothers CMM several participants reflect on it. Thea Stavenuiter frankly writes “Fantastic and deeply inspired people I walked with and what a strong feeling of connectedness during those fourteen days. Moved and touched I say thank-you for this trust and openness you gave me.”

CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

From 24 to 27 May 2017 I joined the 89th international meeting of the Union of Superiors General in Rome. The theme was: ‘Vocational Discernment in an Intercultural World’. We live in a world composed of different cultures. We are like a bouquet of flowers, and each one contributes its own beauty to the bouquet. We cannot say that one is better than others, since each person has something unique that contributes to the bouquet’s beauty. Sometimes it is not easy to respect the cultures of others. To promote respect for other cultures, we have to learn to listen to each other and show interest in each others’ cultural background. We cannot appreciate the beauty of the bouquet when we are only looking at our own flower. Today, the world can be compared to a big village. New technologies allow us to know what is going on in other parts of the world, at least to some extend. This world, with all its differences, can be a beautiful world if we learn to appreciate our diversity. Besides listening to each other, we also have to take into account the signs of the times. Young people need another kind of guidance than we offered them in the past. They need good guidance in dealing with the experiences and challenges of today’s world. This also affects the vocational discernment and the formation process of young people in religious life. More and more the

context of religious formation will be an international and intercultural world, which requires a different approach in helping young people growing up in a balanced way. In general, growing up means moving from your own familiar home to a more complex environment with other cultures. Such a change might lead to uprooting. This is especially true for young people who choose the religious life. Their new home, the religious community, is quite different from the home in which they were raised. They are entering a new lifestyle, and they have to find out how they can function and be a part of this new home. They have to discover what it means to live as a religious. Acquiring the feeling of ‘belonging’, of ‘being rooted’ in this new home is essential, otherwise they will always feel like a stranger. One can say that a well-balanced society starts with a good formation in the life of a family and in the school. It is important how young people grow up. As religious, we should be more aware about our role in helping young people and families making the right choices in life.

Brother Lawrence Obiko in an interview with Nathalie Bastiaansen

CONCERNING BROTHER ANDREAS

BROTHER J.M. VINCENT It was the custom among the brothers to place above the pages of their writing the letters JMJV. We do not know when this custom was introduced, but it must have started during the early years of the founding of the congregation. JMJV signified the dedication to Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Vincent and they were also known as ‘The Big Four’ of the brothers’ community. Jesus naturally as the center of every Christian life. Mary and Vincent since they were the two official patron saints of the congregation. Joseph since the first brother house in Tilburg was named after him. There were similar customs in the religious world of that time. Brother Andreas put the abbreviation JMJV above all his writings. One time, when he was searching for

a pen name for his translation work - the brothers of that generation rarely published under their own name but always used a pseudonym - he had already a starting point. After playing with the letters for a short time Brother Andreas chose J.M. Vincent. First he opted for J.M.J. Vincent, but that was just a bit too long and had the drawback that it seemed to refer to the Sisters JMJ. Could he drop one of the four letters? Obviously the M of Mary could not be left out, and also the J of Jesus should remain. But Saint Joseph perhaps, after all he was no patron saint for those outside the mother house and was therefore not really required. In this way brother Andreas chose as his pen name: J.M. Vincent. The congregation honoured its patron saint with several special customs. Brother Andreas’ pseudonym may be seen as a tribute to the great French saint. Andreas published about ten children’s books under the name J.M. Vincent. Now that Vincent in a certain sense had become his namesake he must have prayed to him with more devotion than he already used to do. The congregation had an extensive collection of prayers to St. Vincent, which were recited silently by all the brothers every Sunday evening. The following petitions are included in that collection: Saint Vincent, obtain from Jesus for all church ministers the holiness of morals and the faithful adherence to all their duties. Hear us, Saint Vincent. Saint Vincent, obtain from Jesus for all the members of the congregation your spirit of love for the poor. Hear us, Saint Vincent. Saint Vincent, obtain from Jesus for all the poor and needy the blissful consolation for body and soul. Hear us, Saint Vincent. Saint Vincent, obtain from Jesus for the righteous the steadfast perseverance. Hear us, Saint Vincent. Saint Vincent, obtain from Jesus for all Christians that they may truly love one another. Hear us, Saint Vincent. Holiness in morals, faithful adherence to all duties, steadfast perseverance and true love for one another: these words were etched in Brother Andreas’ heart and would become a life’s program for him.

Title page of a booklet, translated by Brother Andreas under the pseudonym J.M. Vincent.

Charles van Leeuwen

INTERNATIONAL

VINCENTIAN PILGRIMAGE 2017 is a special year for the worldwide Vincentian Family. We commemorate how four hundred years ago Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) found his true vocation. He committed his life to the service of the poor and so he is also called the ‘Great Apostle of Charity’ or ‘Father of the Poor’. Four hundred years later the legacy of Vincent de Paul is still of current interest. For that reason, the Dutch Vincentian Family organized from 1 till 13 May 2017 a journey through the history and the present reality of the spirituality and charism of Vincent de Paul. The pilgrimage was prepared and accompanied by Father Tjeu van Knippenberg CM, Brother Ad de Kok CMM, Nathalie Bastiaansen (Staff CMM) and Brother Benyamin Tunggu (Deputy Brothers CMM).

In 1625 Vincent de Paul founded the Congregation of the Mission (CM), also called the Lazarists or Vincentians. In 1633, together with Louise de Marillac, he witnessed the birth of the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity. As time went on other congregations and institutes arose inspired by the Vincentian spirituality. One of them was the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, founded in Paris in 1833 by Frédéric Ozanam. Joannes Zwijsen named Vincent de Paul as the patron saint of his two Congregations: the Sisters SCMM (1832) and the Brothers CMM (1844). The sisters and brothers founded the Dutch Vincentian Family.

During the first week the participants were given a program with presentations, reflection and prayer, film and workshops at the Generalate of the Brothers CMM in Tilburg. The presentations and workshops were prepared by representatives of the Dutch Vincentian Family. Tjeu van Knippenberg, talked about the historical context of Vincent de Paul. Sister Remigia Kenis (Daughters of Charity), presented an introduction on Louise de Marillac, and Alfons ten Velde, council member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Netherlands, spoke of Frédéric Ozanam, founder of the Society. Marieke van de Ven, Margriet Kok, and Henry Nieuwaard of the Vincent de Paul Center in Nijmegen, conducted three workshops aimed at a present-day embodiment of the Vincentian charism. Brother Jan Koppens CMM, took care of a meditation and Brother Ad de Kok, shed some light on the care of refugees in the brothers’ community ‘De Vuurhaard’ (Fireplace) in Udenhout, where meals are prepared once a week by the refugees, brothers and volunteers for their own restaurant. On 4 May the pilgrims were hosted by those who manage the restaurant. In the early hours of Sunday 7 May, the group left by bus for France. Via Folleville and Gannes the journey 6

headed for Paris where the pilgrims spent the next four days. They visited places associated with Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac and Frédéric Ozanam, and they talked about the influence on their own lives of the Vincentian charism. On 11 May the journey continued to Chartres, where time was reserved for meditation and reflection, as well as a visit to the cathedral. Brother Ad de Kok and Nathalie Bastiaansen

Ready for departure from Tilburg.

Group photo of pilgrims at Gannes.

REACTIONS OF PARTICIPANTS Inspired “Inspired by this journey I am planning to start a Vincentian organization at Curaçao where I live. I appreciate your help and support to bring this about. Masha danki (with heartful thanks).” Elfried Aniceto

Fear, trust and courage “My hope was that I might discover briefly and to the point ‘the essence’ of what inspired Vincent and Louise so that I might walk in their footsteps. But the journey clarified something else. What struck me most was the story by Sister Remigia about Louise de Marillac. She explicitly placed Louise next to Vincent. The beginning of such a relationship, be it a partner for life or a soul mate, is always joined by fear, trust and courage. Afterwards, side by side, they often continued as completely equivalent people, as man and woman on equal footing. They shared their lives, but both were strong in their vulnerability or in taking

the lead. This relationship between Vincent and Louise was a confirmation of my own point of view. A strong woman next to a strong man. A second experience, namely my inner rebellion against the image of Vincent with the poor man presented us during a meditation, also turned out really touching me. Brother Jan Koppens who led this visual meditation, asked us to have a good look at that picture. At that moment, I was not captivated by this picture or by the accompanying words, but by the memory of an event that I strongly felt coming to the surface. I was nineteen years of age and worked as a student nurse in the children’s ward when an eight-year-old girl was brought in. We were instructed not to pay too much attention to her, and certainly not to spoil her, because, those in charge told us that she pretended her illness. It turned out to be a wrong diagnosis. She had a brain tumour. Having lost all the hair on her head she later returned to our ward, where she died. I took my bicycle and went for the Ijsselmeer and screamed: ‘Please, God, spoil her, we weren’t allowed to!’ 7

INTERNATIONAL

Beginning and persevering “What struck me during the pilgrimage was the perfect ‘mix’, the composition of the whole event: the study days in Tilburg as preparation for the pilgrimage and the getting acquainted with the group. The input of the various members/groups of the Vincentian Family was enriching. The hospitality of the Brothers CMM was great and the atmosphere splendid. Then came the journey: by means of seeing the places where Vincent and Louise lived and worked (Folleville, Gannes, Paris), the information and inspiration came flooding in. The booklet with psalms and prayers for the celebrations enabled us to re-live the past. Add to this the welloiled, competent organization (think of all the work that went into the preparation!) and the pleasant, open-minded group. All in all an impressive (diaconate work was hard and demanding in the 17th century) but also inspiring event: simply beginning and persevering. The poor (our ‘masters’) have to do this too, and they do it. The tourist outings (Eiffel Tower, night-time boat-trip in Paris, a city tour and a light show in Chartres) provided a relaxing touch. On the whole: a very inspiring, beautiful and enjoyable experience!” Statue of Vincent de Paul in the church of Saint Sulpice, Paris.

Aloys and Nelleke Wijngaards Serrarens

Another experience of being touched every day to my innermost being I had with my fellow pilgrims. What a beautiful and tangible bond with all others it was. Allowing everyone to go their own life’s journey, but many gave me the privilege to hear part or their whole lives’ story. Fantastic and deeply inspired people I walked with, and what a strong feeling of connectedness existed during those fourteen days. Moved and touched I say thank-you for this trust and openness you gave me. To come back to my expectation of the pilgrimage and what it gave me at the end, was not ‘the essence’ of Vincent and Louise, which I will be looking for in the future, but being touched by meetings with others on my own life’s journey. An individual road, already travelled and shared with one another, with Vincent and Louise. My own way which I am happy to follow. The woman who WANTS to and WILL be guided, who has the courage to continue on her way. That way may display earnestness and connectedness, but… also joy and fun and loving this life, everyone and everything.” Thea Stavenuiter Candles in Gannes. 8

City tour in Chartres.

Vincent is still alive “I saw him in the middle of the road, when I got out of the bus near the village church of Gannes, a hamlet just north of Paris. It’s a village of importance in the life of Vincent de Paul and it became a village of importance to me. In 1617 Vincent had in that village a conversation with a man, a miller, who was getting close to his death. According to the tradition he was a good and virtuous man, but still full of fear for his approaching death. The conversation between the two turned out to be liberating for both of them. The miller found a good way towards his death and Vincent found a good way towards life. In that village, packed with meaning, Michel Sorel, host of the church, was waiting for us with open arms. A lean man in his sixties but with a hospitality that filled the whole street. The front doors of the church, above some stone steps, were wide open. Lights from the many burning candles and church lights came flooding out to meet us. The humble village church was decorated with meters of wide banners, carefully chosen in the colours of the jubilee logo of ‘400 Years Vincentian Charism’. With generosity and pride Michel spoke about his church and about the events of the past and of more recent times. Candles made especially for the occasion were sold to provide finances for maintenance and for the jubilee festivities. With pride he told us how important and historical this church is. After less than half an hour we have to move on. A spontaneous hug and heart full of warmth and light and this light is still

radiates, the bus turns the corner with the solitary Michel still waving us goodbye. It really touched me, to be filled with so much light and warmth generated by this man, right here. Vincent is still alive in Gannes.” Marieke van de Ven

Chartres.

THE NETHERLANDS

BIOGRAPHY ABOUT BROTHER ANDREAS The Regional Cultural Center ’t Schoor in Udenhout, the Netherlands, cherishes the history of that village located in the province of Brabant. A team of authors work in that center and have produced many publications in the past quarter century. Recently the team started a series entitled ‘Unentse Biografieën’ (Biographies of people from Udenhout) and about important personalities. One of these biographies is about Brother Andreas van den Boer. 3 August 2017 marks the day that one hundred years ago Brother Andreas passed away. It motivated the authors to publish this biography. On 30 June 2017 the Meeting Center, ’t Plein’ in Udenhout hosted a presentation of the book about Jan van den Boer, Brother Andreas 1841-1917, a venerable Udenhout citizen. Invited guests, among whom many brothers, viewed a film by Stichting ‘Videogroep Udenhout’ (Udenhout Video Foundation) and listened to a PowerPoint presentation by the team of authors. The team presented the first three copies to Father Godfried Looijaard, pastor in Udenhout, the family member Riet van Mensvoort-van de Pas, and the superior general of the Brothers CMM, Brother Lawrence Obiko.

Context The biography describes Brother Andreas’ life, his decision to become a brother, his work at the Ruwenberg boarding school, his books written under the pseudonym J.M. Vincent, his illness, the veneration that started after his death, and the process causing Pope Benedict XVI to declare him, on 6 December 2008, a ‘Venerable Servant of God’. The book places Brother Andreas’ life in the context of his birthplace, Udenhout. It describes life in the village when Brother Andreas grew up there. It includes a story of people in the village who knew they were called to the life of a religious brother: a total of 26. The book describes extensively the Van den Boer family tree. The team included a beautiful picture of men of Udenhout who studied at Ruwenberg at the time when Brother Andreas taught there. One chapter pays attention to the Brother Andreas Altar in the St. Lambertus church in Udenhout and the sculpture next to it, made by the Bavarian sculptor Quirin Bäumler. The book also pays attention to the answers people received to their prayers and writes about those who dedicate themselves organizing pilgrimages to the 10

Frater Andreas 1841-1917, een eerbiedwaardige Udenhouter’, Unentse biografieën 2, (‘Brother Andreas 1841-1917, a venerable man of Udenhout, Udenhout Biographies 2) A5 format, 160 pages) is available for €10 at the Frater-Andreasbureau, Gasthuisring 54, 5041 DT Tilburg, the Netherlands, telephone: 31 13 5432777 and at Heemcentrum ’t Schoor, Schoorstraat 2, 5074 RA Udenhout, the Netherlands, telephone: 31 13 5111166. One can place a mailing order (€10 plus shipping costs) via e-mail: heemcentrumudenhout@gmail.com.

For a screenshot film about Brother Andreas use code QR to download from the internet or go to www.youtube.com and find ‘SVU Udenhout frater Andreas 2017’.

grave of Brother Andreas. The biography includes a conversation between two people from Udenhout, written in the Udenhout dialect, which makes it noteworthy.

Works of mercy The biography includes a chapter about the ‘Beweging van Barmhartigheid’ (Movement of Mercy). Brother Wim Verschuren, who was born in Udenhout led the movement for years. For Brother Andreas the call to the congregation of the brothers meant that he would dedicate his life to education as intended by the congregation’s founder Joannes Zwijsen. He saw that as his mission, his ‘work of mercy’, which fitted in the nineteenth century context. In 2017 the understanding of the meaning of ‘works of mercy’ gets adjusted to current developments in our society. In Udenhout, for instance, the brothers manage ‘De Vuurhaard’, a center for asylum seekers who have gone through the country’s screening process.

Brother Andreas Altar in St. Lambertus church, Udenhout.

Praying People can visit St. Lambertus church when it is open to find rest at the Brother Andreas Altar, perhaps to say a prayer, or light a candle. Candles always burn during the Sunday celebrations. In Udenhout Brother Andreas is always present for those who seek his support. Kees van Kempen 11

THE NETHERLANDS

Brother Jan Koppens presenting his reflection.

SPIRITUALITY IN A TRIPTYCH During the Dutch provincial afternoon meeting Brother Jan Koppens presented in the chapel of the residential care facility Joannes Zwijsen on 27 April 2017 a reflection titled: ‘Spirituality in a Triptych: Brother Andreas van den Boer’. At this centennial commemoration of Brother Andreas’ death the speaker placed Brother Andreas against the background of three core values of the congregation: ‘simplicity’, ‘search for God’, and ‘service’. Using this triptych Brother Jan Koppens not only looked at Brother Andreas, but also at the community and the associates of 2017.

Simplicity The first panel of our spiritual triptych is called SIMPLICITY. Freely translated from Matthew 6 it says: “Man, look at the birds in the sky. They sow nor mow. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Look at the lilies in the field. How beautiful, how majestic are they! They are what they are. God cares for them.” In this way Jesus spoke about simplicity, an attitude through

which you are yourself, without frills and finery, so that people know who and what you are. A simplicity defined by your relationship to God; a simplicity through which you try to be pure and through which you do not gloss over your fractured condition, nor your very human failures. In his retreat notes Brother Andreas makes it very clear where he stands, what he

wants, of Whom he expects help, realizing that he is not able to do it on his own. Andreas puts himself in the right spot; sometimes he is disappointed in himself. He too is deeply human. However, Andreas keeps on going, he has a goal. This is visible in his attitude towards fellow brothers and pupils. You discover it in his times of recreation and in the classroom. With what he has received he commits himself to whatever he is called upon. It is his simple answer to “God what do you ask of me, here and now?” This simplicity of heart enables him to be more true to his vocation as a brother. He strives to be a “followers of Jesus Christ and to act without ulterior motives without seeking our own satisfaction or the approval of others” (Const. I, 46-47). It is my opinion that his practice of the vow of obedience was being implemented here, for he responded to the demands of the concrete situation. Andreas saw God’s hand in all of it. That made him a simple, modest man.

Search for God The second panel of our spirituality invites us to reflect on our SEARCH FOR GOD. The Constitutions guide us to Jesus on the very first page. “Jesus’ word and example give direction to our whole life” (Const. I, 4) and further on we read: “Our prayer is the response: Here I am, Lord” (Const. I, 273). Brother Andreas prayed much. He nourished his relationship with his Creator, kneeling in the chapel or walking with his rosary in the garden or with a little prayer in the corridors of Ruwenberg. We see his surrender to Christ reflected in his actions as well as in his notes and letters. God had found Andreas and touched him and in return Andreas saw it as his duty to respond to God’s love in prayer and actions in the way he dealt with people. Andreas experienced Jesus as a ‘Friend’ and consequently Jesus’ word could be fruitful in him. Living in the presence of such a Friend made him grateful for his vocation as a brother. Could that be the key to the fact that many who knew him characterized him as a cheerful man? On his sickbed, when he suffered greatly due to his tuberculosis abscess and his pneumonia, he remained friendly towards the nurses and the visitors. Andreas had grown to a lofty plateau of surrender to Him, whom he called ‘my Friend’.

brother or sister, who somehow can place a demand on us. We consider every person we meet as a ‘child of God’, a child of the same Father. The one Father makes all of us brothers and sisters of each other. “Differences of descent, nationality, taste, character, work, and social status” (Const. I, 81) lose their importance for you. You implement this reality first of all within the community of brothers and associates, but also beyond in your contacts with others. Also herein dwells our personal and communal calling and mission. When we put into practice that the other is your brother or sister, then service follows naturally. You can contribute to the happiness and the wellbeing of others. Brother Andreas paid attention to others, to fellow brothers and students. One could always call on him. Nothing was too much for him, nothing was too little for him. Brother Andreas went for it and was very conscientious about it, for he believed that God called him through the other person. His practice of service was anchored in his search for and his answer to God’s will: “Here I am, Lord, to do your will.”

Our way During his lifetime Brother Andreas was called already a ‘holy brother’. He did not like this. Now in 2017, we do not have to declare him a saint either. What we should do is to learn from him how we, brothers and associates, are putting the CMM spirituality into practice in the context of our daily lives. All of us are called to develop a life of simplicity, to keep searching for God, and to be ready for service. Church and community can use this approach. We may use Jesus of Nazareth, but also Andreas van den Boer as our role model. We may be proud of such a fellow brother who walked his spiritual way to God and neighbour. Do we dare and do we want to implement in a contemporary way the rich spirituality of the Congregation to which we belong? Brother Jan Koppens

Service The third panel of our spirituality deals with SERVICE. In my opinion service flows from a position of merciful brotherhood and sisterhood. We see the other as our

IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE

KLOOSTERHOTEL ZIN IN THE NETHERLANDS

Front Kloosterhotel ZIN.

Worldwide the Congregation is being confronted with all sorts of material and spiritual needs. The brothers, together with others, are trying to alleviate these. The seventh issue of this feature showcases Kloosterhotel ZIN in Vught, the Netherlands. ZIN originated from the aspiration of the congregation of the Brothers CMM to assign a new purpose to the rural brother house in Vught and one that would be in line with their spiritual tradition. They wanted in our modern society to provide in a growing need, namely bringing about connections between work, meaning and spirituality. The property was thoroughly renovated and on 27 January 2001, ‘Kloosterhotel ZIN’ opened its doors as a place for rest, reflection and encounter. The housekeeping of the kloosterhotel is managed by people with disabilities: the ‘ZIN-Team’.

Every summer two weeks are earmarked for families who themselves do not have the financial means to go on a vacation. The brothers of the Eleousa community close to the Kloosterhotel, together with volunteers organize a program with a variety of activities. It is called the ‘vakantievierdaagse’ (four days of vacation). The brothers and the other inhabitants of the community provide an indispensable contribution to the hospitality of ZIN. For more information: www.kloosterhotelzin.nl.

Back.

Chapel.

Auditorium.

Community brother house Eleousa.

Yoga in the morning, with guests of Kloosterhotel ZIN.

Brother Niek Hanckmann is one of the instructors of the morning meditation. He regularly presents Tai Chi lessons.

Near Kloosterhotel ZIN a labyrinth has been created for spiritual deepening.

The vegetable garden of the Eleousa community. The vegetables are also used in the kitchen of Kloosterhotel ZIN. 15

Apostolaat in beeld

Two ‘ZIN-Team’ employees.

‘Four days of vacation’: Building tents in the woods.

‘Four days of vacation’: Brother Frans van Pinxteren serves soup.

‘Four days of vacation’: an excursion.

‘Four days of vacation’: feeding ducks and swans together with Brother Wim Verschuren.

Brothers visit the cemetery of the congregation near Kloosterhotel ZIN.

Brother Vincent Simonis CSD resides at the Eleousa community and is host of Kloosterhotel ZIN.

NEWS IN BRIEF

NEW NOVICES IN INDONESIA “Called and desired in the Movement of Mercy” was the theme of the Eucharistic celebration in which eight Indonesian postulants entered the congregation as novice. The crowded ceremony took place on 13 May in the church of the Holy Spirit in Tomohon. Emeritus Bishop Joseph Suwatan MSC of Manado was the main celebrant, assisted by Father Paulus Salatia. The bishop told the new novices that the power to serve people in the movement of mercy comes from the inner bond with God. “He will be with us wherever we go. The Spirit of the merciful God becomes our spirit. Live your life in the spirit of God’s grace,” said the bishop. Brother Martinus Mangundap, provincial superior of the brothers in Indonesia, emphasized that the founder of the congregation, Joannes Zwijsen, wanted his followers to be “brothers of mercy”, especially for the poor and oppressed people. “In the novitiate, you will be guided to rely on the works of God, in the

spirit of our founder. You will learn and train yourself to grow into a committed person full of compassion and brotherhood, in the service of God and your neighbour,” said the provincial.

The novices during the celebration.

‘Merciful love’ At the beginning of May, the book ‘Merciful love. Seeing - being moved - getting into action’ by Brother Wim Verschuren was published. It was presented on 18 June at Kloosterhotel ZIN in Vught during the ‘Merciful Book Fair’, organized by the Movement of Mercy, of which Brother Wim Verschuren is one of the founders. The book will be translated into English and Indonesian. Wim Verschuren, ‘Merciful Love. Seeing - being moved - getting into action’, Fraters CMM, Tilburg 2017, 168 pages, € 15, - (plus shipping costs). Available from the secretariat of the General Board of Brothers CMM, Gasthuisring 54, 5041 DT Tilburg, generalboard@cmmbrothers.nl.

Brother Wim Verschuren with his book.

NEWS IN BRIEF

MASTERCLASS VINCENTIAN LEADERSHIP

Brother Broer Huitema CMM with Father Patrick Murphy CM of DePaul University, guest lecturer at the masterclass at Kloosterhotel ZIN in Vught.

In autumn of 2016, the masterclass ‘To Inspire and to Serve - a Course in Social-Spiritual Leadership’ was held for the first time in the Netherlands. This masterclass was organized by the Dutch Vincent de Paul Center in collaboration with DePaul University in Chicago (United States). Brother Broer Huitema is a board member of the Dutch Vincent de Paul Center and also one of the initiators of the masterclass. With this masterclass, the Vincent de Paul Center wants to contribute to the development of opportunities offered by the Vincentian tradition for a contemporary approach to ‘servant leadership’. Participants deepen their personal spirituality and learn to be servant leaders in their own professional and social context. As such they can contribute to the quality of society as a whole. After an evaluation it was decided to continue the masterclass in 2018. More information on this will be announced in due course.

MYSTERY OF ‘CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTICE’ RESOLVED In Brothers CMM 1/17, the article ‘Inventory CMM-Heritage’ was illustrated with a drawing from 1935, of a ‘change of address notice’, signed by Leo van Grinsven. It was mentioned that it was not possible to discover what brother house was related to the message. The mystery has now been solved. Brother Frans van Pinxteren informed the editorial board that the drawing depicts the relocation of the brothers from the house at Papenhulst in ’s-Hertogenbosch to the brother house at Sonniusstraat in that same city.

‘I AM FROM BOOM ROOS VIS’ At the beginning of 2017, Zwijsen Publishing House presented a richly illustrated book on the reading method ‘Veilig leren lezen’ (Learning to read safely), entitled: Ik ben van boom, roos, vis - over leren lezen (I am from ‘tree, rose, fish’ - about learning to read). Over the last fifty years, nearly 10 million children have learned to read by using this method, which used to begin with the words ‘boom, roos, vis’. The reading method was developed in 1958 by Brother Caesarius Mommers and other brothers CMM. In the book, the author Ger Janssen sketches the history of reading education in the twentieth and twenty-first century that was based on this method, and some important predecessors. It is illustrated with images of classical and modern wall posters, reading books and other teaching materials. Ger Janssen, Ik ben van boom, roos, vis - over leren lezen, Zwijsen Publishing House, Tilburg 2017, 255 pages, €29,95. Available in Dutch bookstores or to be ordered on the website www.zwijsen.nl. 18

‘SEE MY PEOPLE’

‘A SMILE AS MEDICATION’ Mercy and brotherhood are two key concepts in the charism of the Brothers CMM. Beautiful words. But what happens in the reality of the everyday life of the brothers? That’s what is highlighted in this feature ‘See my People’ (cf. Matthew 9:35-38).

Brother Marius Korebima works as a nurse at the brothers’ policlinic in Ge’tengan, Indonesia. He tries to be a good nurse every day, not just for his patients, but also for their families. He listens to their stories and tries to answer their questions as well as possible. “I always try to listen carefully and give them a smile.” The latter is important, because, as Brother Marius explains, “often people say that seeing my smile already makes them feel a bit better. Even before they receive medication. A smile is an effective medicine!” Brother Marius considers it important to provide medication along with personal attention. That’s why he always takes time to welcome people, making sure they feel comfortable. In a first interview with patients he often cracks a joke, he lets people laugh so they enter the medical examination in a relaxed way. Blood pressure and temperature are measured, heart rate and respiratory are checked, and if the diagnosis requires medication, the patient will receive it for a few days. Brother Marius always asks the patient to come back to see how he or she is doing. “Through personal communication and involvement, the sick and their families feel comfortable. And someone who feels comfortable will just get better sooner,” he says. Brother Marius is aware that he never works alone. Once he had a patient who was almost dead due to severe dehydration. After receiving four bottles of intravenous fluid, the patient was able to open his eyes again, the heart rate became stronger and blood pressure increased. Not only was the patient happy and grateful, but Brother Marius was grateful too. He felt that God was merciful to him, because he was granted saving this man’s life. Nathalie Bastiaansen

Brother Marius Korebima at work.

COMPARED WITH THE GREAT NEEDS ALL AROUND US, WHAT WE CAN DO AS A SMALL COMMUNITY IS BUT LITTLE. THAT IS WHY MODESTY IS APPROPRIATE FOR US. (from the Rule of Life of the Brothers CMM)

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