Magazine Brothers CMM 2021/3 by CMM Brothers

BROTHERS CMM 3/21

m aga zine

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CONTENTS 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.

GENERAL CHAPTER

COLOPHON Brothers CMM appears three times a year and is a publication of the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy. A subscription is free of charge. A voluntary contribution is appreciated: ING Bank Account for Fraters CMM Tilburg IBAN: NL30INGB0001068517 (BIC: INGBNL2A). ISSN 1877-6256 Editorial Board: Nathalie Bastiaansen (editor-in-chief and executive editor), Brother Edward Gresnigt, Brother Ad de Kok, Brother Benyamin T. Robiwala. Contributors: Nathalie Bastiaansen, Nelleke Verstijnen, Raldo Neven, Brother Paskalis Wangga, Brother Athanasius Onyoni, Jan Swolfs, Brother Lawrence Obiko, Charles van Leeuwen, Brother Paul Damen, Brother Ad de Kok. Translation: Nathalie Bastiaansen, Brother Edward Gresnigt, Peter Huybers, Father Jan van der Kaa AA, Tony Verhallen. Design: Layout: Printing:

Heldergroen, The Netherlands DekoVerdivas, The Netherlands Franciscan Kolbe Press, Kenya

Contact: Brothers CMM, Rhapta Road, P.O.Box 14916 Nairobi, Westlands 00800, Kenya E-mail: Brother Leo van de Weijer: brotherleo42@gmail.com Contact: Brothers CMM, P.O.Box 89, Windhoek, Namibia E-mail: Brother Athanasius Onyoni: atonyoni@yahoo.com E-mail: magazine@cmmbrothers.nl Website: www.cmmbrothers.org

The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt.

Photograph front cover: Bishop Gerard de Korte receives the book “Mission of Mercy - The Brothers of Zwijsen” from the hands of the author, study secretary Charles van Leeuwen. Photo: Nathalie Bastiaansen. Photograph back cover: “Symbiosis”, Brother Ad de Kok.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

REFLECTION: FALLING IN LOVE WITH CHRIST

FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD And finally, the time had come. After postponement of the General Chapter due to the corona pandemic in May 2020, and another postponement at the end of 2020, and another in May 2021, the brothers could finally celebrate their General Chapter in November 2021. In any case, there was enough time for preparations, although there is always a lot to be done at the last minute. It turned out to be three special weeks, in which three themes took center stage: mission, financial management, and leadership. You can read more about it on the pages 4 to 7, and of course, there we also present the Congregation’s new General Board. In the coming six years, these new board members will dedicate themselves to a fruitful future of the Congregation. In the section ‘Images of Apostolate’, the brothers report with gratitude, joy and some pride about their new mission in Zambia. In this issue we also meet an old friend: Brother Andreas van den Boer. Brother Perpetuus van de Burgt once painted his birth house, but where exactly was it located? On page 15, in the column ‘Stories from the Past’, Jan Swolfs (ex-Brother Hospitius) tells how some brothers ended up on stage as extras in the Tilburg theatre. The ‘Reflection’ this time was given by Brother Paskalis Wangga from Indonesia. He relates three core sentences from the Constitutions to the love for Christ. Also, in the column ‘See my People’, this love for Christ returns in the story of Brother Paul Damen from The Netherlands. Finally, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Joyful 2022.

IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE: NEW MISSION IN ZAMBIA

STORIES FROM THE PAST:

BROTHERS ON STAGE

NEWS IN BRIEF

SEE MY PEOPLE: BROTHER PAUL DAMEN

19 3

INTERNATIONAL

The members of the General Chapter and staff members.

GENERAL CHAPTER 2021 “CALLED TO BE MERCIFUL BROTHERS, JOYFUL AND COURAGEOUS IN TODAY’S WORLD.” The General Chapter was initially scheduled to take place in the spring of 2020. Because of the corona pandemic it had to be postponed several times, but now at last the time had come: the General Chapter took place from 8 to 28 November 2021.

The General Chapter is the culmination point of our common responsibility of all brothers worldwide. The whole Congregation is represented there; it is the highest authority within our community and has legislative competence. The task of the General Chapter is to watch over the spirit and the mission of our Congregation in accordance with the original inspiration and traditions of our Congregation and considering the demands of the time. The General Chapter elects the new General Board and determines the course of action for the coming years (cf. Constitutions I, 402-408).

Need for change The Congregation has become international, and the provinces and regions are working towards greater financial self-sufficiency. The central role of the Netherlands is diminishing, both in leadership and financial support. This brings great challenges. The need for change has been felt for some time. 4

And as the Constitutions say: “With a watchful eye we must always be attentive to the signs of the times” (Const. I, 210). On the agenda of the General Chapter, therefore, were several important subjects that are of fundamental importance for the future of the Congregation: the mission of CMM, financial management, and leadership. New policies are needed to improve the financial situation of the Congregation and to ensure good leadership at all levels. It is important that the policy choices are in line with the spirituality and charism of the brothers, and therefore a clear vision of the mission is needed. This is what the Chapter members started working on first. Under the guidance of moderator Tom Koot, the main themes, but also other topics such as the apostolate, formation, communication, and community life were discussed at length.

The mission of CMM The brothers wanted a mission statement that all brothers can identify with, and at the same time it should offer sufficient freedom to the provinces, regions and communities to look at the local circumstances and to make concrete policy based on that. Guided by Alfred Maussen, advisor on strategic management, the chapter members arrived at a new mission statement.

In the Chapter Hall.

Mission of the Brothers CMM We are called to be merciful brothers and to do what Jesus did: to serve and enlighten, speak a redeeming word and be a helping hand. Most of our work is in the domain of teaching, accompaniment of youth and church ministry, especially for the poor and the needy. Through the quality of education and religious formation we want to empower young people and contribute to the development of society. We take care of the sick and vulnerable and create places of hospitality, and we help people to find meaning and happiness in their lives. Together with others we devote ourselves to building a more humane world of justice and peace.

Financial management During three long days the members of the Chapter pondered the financial situation. What is the situation? How can we guarantee the continued existence of the Congregation? This tough and complex agenda item was made much more accessible and understandable by the input of creative process counsellor Iris Nieuwboer with the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method. It sounds playful and fun, and it is, but at the same time it is a very effective way of looking for solutions to complex issues. The creative work method invites you to break away from your sometimes ingrained way of thinking and to look at the issues from a completely different perspective. After this LEGO session, the start of a new policy was formulated under the leadership of Frans Schilder (financial advisor to the General Board). This new policy offers perspective on a sustainable future for the Congregation and especially - because that is what it is all about - for the work of the brothers in the service of others.

We are religious brothers and live in communities, joyful and courageous, open to the world around us. Trust in God, simplicity, brotherhood and mercy characterize our life and work. We honour Mary as our Mother of Mercy. We cherish the memory of our founder Joannes Zwijsen and we follow the example of Saint Vincent de Paul: serving God in the poor and the needy. We carry in our hearts the words of Jesus: “As you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me.”

Workshop LEGO Serious Play.

INTERNATIONAL

Leadership The General Chapter discussed the specific leadership culture in the Congregation. The Bible and the Christian tradition offer specific models of leadership, such as Servant Leadership: leading by serving the others, and Brotherly Leadership: leading by listening and setting a good example, being close to fellow brothers and stimulating teamwork. A specific aspect of leadership is working with others. This is about working as a team within a board, but also about the cooperation between different boards

Group discussions.

Looking back and forward

The new General Board: Br. Rikardus Rumangun, Br. Benyamin T. Robiwala, Br. Lawrence Obiko, Br. Paul Damen, Br. Damasus Dobat.

A new General Board On Friday, 26 November 2021, the new General Board of the Congregation was elected. Brother Lawrence Obiko (Kenya) was re-elected by the Chapter members as superior general. Brother Paul Damen (Netherlands) was elected as deputy superior in the General Board. Brother Benyamin T. Robiwala (Indonesia) was already a member of the General Board for the period 20142021 and will again serve on the General Board for 2021-2027. In addition, two new board members were elected: Brother Rikardus Rumangun from Indonesia, and Brother Damasus Dobat, from Indonesia but working since 2007 as a missionary in Brazil.

Some excerpts from the closing address of the superior general: “The atmosphere was remarkable. We had open discussions and enjoyed a peaceful and fraternal atmosphere. Some of the core values of our Congregation: mercy, brotherhood, simplicity, service, joyful devotion, doing what Jesus did, were palpable and determined the atmosphere. And you can be sure that the names of our Founder, Bishop Joannes Zwijsen and of our Patron Saints Vincent de Paul and Mary were mentioned many times. They were the guiding principles for our mission, our community life and for our reflections. “You are no doubt familiar with our chapter motto, which calls on us to be merciful brothers, joyful and courageous, in today’s world. There was a good spirit among us and the words joyful and courageous express that. We talked a lot about our mission, about the focus of our mission. Because we want to be brothers in today’s world. We want to be present for people who need us. “You will understand that the new team elected today has a lot to do. And we are looking forward to it! We promise we will do our best and we want to stay close to all of you, to all the brothers, all the boards and all our work in the world. And as superior general I want to do my best to be close and approachable, and to guard the human and spiritual qualities of our life as brothers.” Nathalie Bastiaansen, staff member General Board

Relaxation between meetings.

Presentation of symbols.

Presentations.

Symbol presentation of Brother Henrique de Fatima Marques. “Our Constitutions really help me to work in my daily life in the spirit of our Founder Joannes Zwijsen, and in the spirit of our spirituality and charism. I do not pretend to be an expert in understanding our Constitutions. I am aware that I still have much to learn, from the Constitutions but also from my fellow brothers. I would like to mention one quote from our Constitutions that is of great significance to me: ‘Our prayer is the answer: Here I am, Lord’.”

Closing celebration with Bishop Gerard de Korte. 7

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

WHERE IS THAT BIRTHPLACE OF BROTHER ANDREAS? In the past and today, there are quite some brothers with creative skills. They make paintings, drawings, sculptures, or beautiful craftwork. It gives a different, sometimes unknown insight into the makers. This feature places a selection from this work in the spotlight. Part 12 of this series focuses on a painting of Brother Perpetuus van de Burgt.

The house of birth of Brother Andreas painted by Brother Perpetuus.

In the summer of 2020, the secretariat of the Brothers CMM in the Generalate received a telephone call from Mrs. Van den Broek from Tilburg. She owned a painting of the house of birth of Brother Andreas, painted in 1980 by Brother Perpetuus van de Burgt (1911-1986). Mrs. Van den Broek did not have enough room for the rather large painting and thought it would not be fair to leave it to one of her many children or grandchildren. Did the brothers possibly want it? The brothers certainly would. 8

Brother Perpetuus van de Burgt.

Two paintings The painting was picked up and once it had found a nice spot in the large parlour of the Generalate, Brother Edward Gresnigt discovered that it resembled another painting in the Generalate of the house where Brother Andreas was born. It was painted by Brother Meinulphus van Grootel (1893-1964). But there were also quite a few differences. Not only in style or technique, but in the surroundings of the house as well.

The house of birth of Brother Andreas painted by Brother Meinulphus van Grootel.

Photo of the house of birth of Brother Andreas in Udenhout.

Pictures from the past The house where Brother Andreas was born was at Houtsestraat number 8, in Udenhout and was replaced in the 1930s by the present building. That means that Brother Perpetuus did not go out in 1980 with his little field-scan to sit down in Houtsestraat and paint this picture. Brother Meinulphus painted his canvas after an old photograph of the house. We know that because that picture is to be found in the archives. Did Brother Perpetuus do the same? But which photograph served as an example? Brother Perpetuus’ painting shows much more than the photo of the house where he was born than the painting by Brother Meinulphus.

We did find another painting by Brother Perpetuus, also made around 1980, of a different farm, but... with the same background with mill and church, a well in front of the house, chickens in the yard...

Church, wheelbarrow, chickens, and... another painting Brother Perpetuus painted a well in front of the house and a wheelbarrow. These two objects can be found in another photo of the house where Brother Andreas was born, but that is a photo of the back of the house. In the painting there are also a few chickens scratching around in the yard, and in the background, we see a mill and a church steeple. Number 8 was on the north side of Houtsestraat, so behind the house on the left the church of Loon op Zand could have been seen. And on Loonse Molenstraat in Loon op Zand there is still the remains of a flourmill. We have not been able to find a photograph showing all this in the archives of the brothers.

A photo of the backside of the house at the Houtsestraat number 8. Did Brother Perpetuus let his imagination run wild and place the birthplace of Brother Andreas in a setting appealing to his own imagination? Whatever the case, it is a nice picture, with the chickens scratching in the yard. It could just as well have been the real thing. Nathalie Bastiaansen 9

REFLECTION

FALLING IN LOVE WITH CHRIST ‘Falling in love with Christ’ is the core motivation of a religious vocation. This relationship also influences the relationship with other people. “There will be people who love you and there will be people who hate you for it,” says Brother Paskalis Wangga. In this reflection he relates three core sentences from the CMM Constitutions to the love for Christ. Love and hate are part of the rhythm of life. As a religious, we should try to love even more. Three core sentences in our Constitutions refer to this love: “to serve and enlighten, to speak a redeeming word, to be a helping hand” (Const. I, 10).

Serve and enlighten “To serve and enlighten” starts with a total surrender to God and his Son. God knows and understands every person who is called and sent to bring light. The light in question is salvation for the world, especially for people who are less fortunate, the little ones and the poor. They need a touch of safety, kindness, peace, joy, and love. They need brotherhood and mercy. Poor people may not have material wealth, but they have a heart, and therefore they have a value within. They yearn for the same happiness as people who have

everything, and their dignity and self-respect must be protected and saved. As religious, we are called like the prophet Jeremiah. God said to Jeremiah: ‘You must go to everyone I send you’ (Jeremiah 1:7).

Speak a redeeming word Every word that comes out of our mouths is a display of who we really are. Thoughts and feelings that come from the bottom of our hearts produce our speech for others around us. So, as a religious who is called to devote himself to Christ, we must honestly say beautiful, true and meaningful words that save others. We should try to avoid negative words, because these can be very detrimental to other people, even subtly and without realizing it we may have killed the character of someone. Negative words can hinder the process of growth for the other.

Brother Paskalis Wangga and some novices visit people in the neigbourhood.

Be a helping hand Logically, we don’t understand why God has called and chosen us to become CMM Brothers. Why not other people, whom as we can see for ourselves are truly extraordinary and great? However, God chooses and calls us and makes us travel companions of Christ. I am grateful for this and I realize that God fully knows us, thus bestowing this calling on us. God has a very clear purpose for us in that we are called to act by reaching out to be a helping hand. And by making others happy, we also feel happy.

What does love have to do with this? Love doesn’t just come from the sky like meteors falling on earth. Before we can give love, we first receive that love. The experience of being loved is a basic need. Whether we realize it or not, to be loved, unconditionally and forever lasting, is the desire of everyone’s heart. In Pematangsiantar, in the community of our secondyear novitiate we had an interesting experience. Near the community lives an old lady, together with her grandson. Her house is an old rental house, made of planks; it is not private property. The lady’s husband just passed away last January 2021. She has 6 children and all of them are married, but we never see her children coming to visit her.

In practice For several years now, the brothers in Pematangsiantar provide some food to assist her. We usually donate rice, eggs, Indonesian fried noodles, cooking oil, cleaning powder and sugar. We also visit her house, sometimes just to listen to her complaints about living in such poor circumstances. The woman is in her 70s now. She must take care of herself and her grandson Marsel, who is still in third grade. But despite her living conditions and her complaints, she has a zest for life and is diligent in going to church on Sundays. In 2020 the old lady fell sick. It wasn’t covid, but people in the surroundings did not give her any help, they were probably afraid of covid. Someone came to inform the brothers that the lady was sick. I called for an ambulance to take her to the hospital and asked people around to help carry her into the ambulance. But they didn’t want to touch her, afraid of covid. Together with the hospital’s nurse I managed to carry

Brother Paskalis Wangga and some novices enjoy their visit with an elderly lady.

her into the ambulance. She was very heavy. After that, I returned to the community. After a while, she recovered. From May 2021 we again provided basic food assistance and we could again listen to her complaints. We hear her lament with tender affection.

A happy brother can bring happiness to others The point is, that the power to love God and our fellow human beings does not come from us alone. We receive this power from God as a special gift. Our daily experience of life, that we are loved by God, strengthens us to eliminate every hatred and annoyance we have towards others. True love does not stop at the ugliness or negative things we know about someone. We must be able to love people the way they are. We are called to live according to the spirit of Christ, to live with trust and confidence in the good that is in everyone. Everybody needs a life of value, and everybody just wants to be happy just like others. Brother Paskalis Wangga CMM (Indonesia)

IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE

NEW MISSION IN ZAMBIA Worldwide the Congregation is being confronted with all sorts of material and spiritual needs. The brothers, together with others, are trying to alleviate these. In the nineteenth episode of this feature we go to Zambia, where the Brothers CMM recently started a new mission. In 2008 two candidates from Zambia applied to the Congregation. They were interested in joining the Brothers CMM in Namibia. They turned out to be serious candidates and could begin their training as postulants in Namibia. More young men from Zambia followed. Now there are 7 temporarily professed young brothers and a few candidates from Zambia in the Congregation.

an official invitation from Bishop Patrick Chisanga OFMConv. to open a new mission in the Diocese of Mansa, in the Kawambwa district, in the north of Zambia.

Invitation This prompted the brothers to explore the possibility of opening a new CMM community in Zambia. Naturally, this also included an investigation into the possibilities of starting a project in Zambia. Was there a need or an emergency in which the brothers could make a meaningful contribution? The bishop of the Diocese of Mansa was very interested in the work of the brothers, and in early 2020 the General Board received Brother Lawrence Obiko CMM and Bishop Patrick Chisanga OFMConv. 12

St. Mary’s Vocational Training Centre In the past, the Missionaries of Africa, better known as the White Fathers, had started several schools in Kawambwa. Later these were handed over to the diocese, but unfortunately the diocese did not have the financial and human resources to continue all the facilities. There is now a mixed primary school, a secondary school for girls, and a school for the blind and partially sighted. But there is also a vocational training centre with facilities for a tailor shop and carpentry workshop (St. Mary’s Vocational Training Centre). A shortage of qualified teachers was felt, especially for the tailoring and carpentry workshop. These facilities have therefore ceased to exist, while good training in these fields offers young people an opportunity for work and income. There are relatively many young people in the Kawambwa district, and they have their own questions and difficulties. There was therefore also a need for people who can guide these young people through youth ministry.

St. Mary’s Parish Church in Kawambwa.

Pioneers An important step towards the realization of a new mission in Zambia is the identification of brothers who could be sent out as pioneers of the mission. These were found in the Brothers Daniel Nyakundi, Videlis Minyega, Peter Muthuku and Alfred Kaluba. We wish these pioneers every success in the start of their new mission.

This new mission was started with the financial support of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), and with the help of Supply and Demand International. Many facilities are now in place, but a lot still needs to be done to get everything off the ground and keep it running. Would you like to support this new mission of the brothers? Your contribution is very welcome at IBAN NL 60 ABNA 0522439055 (BIC: ABNANL2A) in the account of Fraters CMM Missieprocuur. You can state in the description what you want to make the donation for; for example (in this case): “new mission Zambia”, then your donation will be earmarked for this. Thanks for your support!

The tailor’s shop.

St. Mary’s Vocational Training Centre, main building. 13

IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE

St. Mary’s Vocational Training Centre.

St. Mary’s School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Parish Women’s Group.

Renovations and extension of the future accommodation of the brothers in Kawambwa.

STORIES FROM THE PAST

The Tilburg Theatre.

BROTHERS ON STAGE Jan Swolfs was a member of the Congregation of the Brothers CMM from 1943 to 1982. He recorded his memoirs in several volumes called “Ome Jan”, intended for family and friends. The first part is about his childhood in the parish of Hasselt, Tilburg, part two is about his education with the brothers in Tilburg, and part three is entitled: “Ome Jan and his places of work”. At times the brothers experienced things that were certainly not everyday occurrences. The original title is ‘The Brothers and the Tilburg Theatre’.

A spectacular play in Tilburg In 1961, Wim Bary was appointed as director of the Municipal Theatre in Tilburg. He immediately thought of a plan to surprise Tilburg with a spectacle. He did not have to wait long for that. The theatre group ‘Ensemble’ toured with ‘The Successor’, directed by Karl Guttmann. It was set in the Vatican, around the time of the Pope’s election. The cardinals and the bishops were in conclave there. Wim Bary had a good relationship with Karl Guttmann, and together with him he wanted to make a big TV production of it for Dutch and Belgian television. It would only be broadcast twice when it was finished. The recordings were to take place in the theatre in Tilburg, where the play was performed in the 1963/1964 season.

the brothers still wore their cassocks every day and there were also school headmasters who wanted to bring their St. Nicholas costumes.

Extras

The text of the extras was quickly learned: “Rabarber Rabarber”. This had to be repeated from time to time. In Dutch theatre circles, the constant repetition of this word is used to imitate the unintelligible murmur of a crowd or audience. It is possibly a corruption of the Greek barbaros (‘uncivilized person’). English plays also use “rhubarb, rhubarb” to simulate a murmur of voices.

To add lustre to the play, Karl Guttmann needed an additional number of extras. Wim Bary immediately had a solution at hand. He phoned the brother houses in Tilburg and Goirle and asked whether there were any brothers available who would like to work on the production as extras. Wim thought: “Two birds with one stone! I’m ready for the costumes.” In those days

At the first meeting he was a bit surprised. In the meantime, modernization had set in in the Congregation and the brothers had recently been given a neat black suit for certain situations. Most of them saw an opportunity to show it off. But Wim Bary had not counted on that. The next time at the rehearsals everyone appeared neatly dressed in his cassock, and a few in the St. Nicholas suit. They were of course cardinals, and the majority were just ‘conclavists’.

Rhubarb, Rhubarb

STORIES FROM THE PAST

The right props At the dress rehearsal there was another small incident. Brother Hieronymo Teurlings was wearing a very beautiful cross as a bishop. In the middle of his text actor Ko van Dijk stopped when he saw the beautiful cross with ‘precious stones’ of the St. Nicholas of Goirle and shouted to the director: “That’s what I mean!” Immediately there was an exchange, and the great Ko went on with this new acquisition as Cardinal of Bologna.

A bit famous There is much more to be said about what happened next, but I’ll just say that it was great for me to be a part of it. Who can say that he has been on stage together with the famous Dutch actors Ko van Dijk, Lex Goudsmit and Ton van Duinhoven, and later on television in The Netherlands and Belgium?

Jan Swolfs (former Brother M. Hospitius), Tilburg Ko van Dijk as the Cardinal of Bologna in ‘The Successor’. Photograph: Max Koot. Collection Peter-Jan van Dijk.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

ANNIVERSARIES IN 2022

65 years

29 August: Brother Jan Heerkens, Brother Frans van de Meulengraaf, Brother Yvo Nijsten.

60 years

29 August: Brother Pieter-Jan van Lierop.

25 years

4 May: Brother Januarius Juma, Brother Matias Hamsudin, Brother Frans Kilat, Brother David Jeda, Brother Paulus Paji Keban, Brother Aloysius Ungkang. 20 October: Brother James Makovo.

INSPIRATION You probably know from the past years our column ‘Conversation with the Superior General’. With some regularity we receive sympathetic reactions to this section: apparently, the reflections are a source of inspiration for many. That is why we decided to bundle the texts in a booklet entitled: INSPIRATION - In conversation with Brother Lawrence Obiko CMM, Superior General. And what makes this book even more special is that it also contains pictures of paintings made by Brother Lawrence in the past years. All brothers and associate members will receive a copy.

Cover of the book Inspiration.

NEWS IN BRIEF

MISSION OF MERCY We are pleased to announce the publication of a new, richly illustrated history of the brothers. The book tells the history of the brothers as the story of a mission of mercy.

That mission started when a group of men and women from Tilburg and surroundings, under the leadership of their pastor, set up a few projects to combat poverty, including a hospice, an orphanage, a school for the poor and a school for deaf and blind children. It was pioneering work, carried out with limited means, the necessary improvisation and support from benevolent citizens. The small, local charity projects caught on and became increasingly professional. They grew into two large Catholic educational and care organizations, which spread throughout the Netherlands, Belgium and later other countries. One was run by the Sisters of Charity, the other by brothers, both under the leadership of the same Joannes Zwijsen, who now had become archbishop.

Mission of Mercy is written by Charles van Leeuwen, who is attached to the Congregation as study secretary. This first part describes the history of the brothers until 1920. Hopefully, in a few years’ time, we will be able to look forward to the second part, about the twentieth century. The book, written in Dutch, counts 720 pages and is available in the bookshop. ISBN: 978-90-824078-7-7. Price: € 45,-.

The history brings to light what moved people to become brothers and what their lives were like in the brother house and at work. It describes their religious and social ideals and deals with the difficulties that arose in the organization and in the house. It sketches the atmosphere at the schools and takes stock of the significance of education and upbringing for church and society. But above all, it portrays the people themselves, the charismatic Founder Zwijsen and the many hundreds of brothers who, following in his footsteps, gave shape to the mission of mercy. What can we do about the impoverishment of society and widespread illiteracy? How can we make life better in the slums and in the poor countryside? How can we support a church that is short of people and resources? These were the questions from the beginning: they are questions that are still relevant today.

cover of the book Mission of Mercy.

‘SEE MY PEOPLE’

NEED FOR JESUS Who are the brothers really? What motivates them? What are their dreams, their ideals? In what way do they give shape to ‘mercy’ and ‘brotherhood’ - the two key concepts in the charism of the Brothers CMM? In this column ‘See my people’, we feature one of the brothers each time.

Becoming a brother is not an obvious life choice, certainly not in the Netherlands. Isn’t it a bit unworldly? No, brothers are certainly not unworldly people: in quite a few areas we know quite well what the world has to offer.

Solid foundation A life as a brother is grounded in faith in God: we live that within the Catholic Church. It gives our life a solid basis. Of course, you must dare to take that step, to make that leap which faith in God always is. That does not mean that you must be ‘mature’ in your faith when you enter. On the contrary, I myself have experienced that my faith has developed further during the period that I have been a religious brother. And that it is still developing. Part of it is also that you doubt your faith at times. Precisely because you make that leap and risk a few things, it is only natural that you sometimes have doubts: Was I right to do this? But in the end, there is this deeper feeling: this is what I stand for and what in the deepest sense makes me happy.

Brother Paul Damen with Peter Noordanus, the mayor of Tilburg, and several guests of the ‘Inlooplunch’ (luncheon program) at the Elim community.

For nothing

Unselfish love

Is it so difficult to say yes? Perhaps it is. Where do you hear that, that you can say 'yes' and that ithis is enough? Where else do you still hear that you are looked after from heaven, that you are loved without having to do anything for it?

I see a great need for Jesus around me. Not that this is expressed in so many words. But the longing for a person who lives a pure life, who gives love and continues to give love, unconditionally and not out of self-interest… that longing is great. On the cross, Jesus says: “I thirst.” For me, this is not just an ordinary thirst for water (no doubt He had that too). It is a thirst for our love, for our 'yes' to Him.

After all, our whole society consists of ‘something goes for something’ and ‘nothing goes for nothing’. That you are welcome just because of who you are... That it doesn’t matter if you reach your targets... That it doesn’t matter if you are cool enough and if you can keep up with the latest trends... It is exceptional, almost too good to be true. Yet it exists! Brother Paul Damen CMM (The Netherlands)

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES, WE COULD WORK MORE EFFICIENTLY BY SIMPLY DEVOTING OURSELVES TO WORK WITHIN THE STRUCTURES SET UP BY OTHERS. (from the Rule of Life of the Brothers CMM)

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