Magazine Brothers CMM 2022/3

Take a look at the website www.cmmbrothers.org

CONTENTS

OUR MISSION

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.

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.”

CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

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 : The Brothers Lawrence Obiko, Ad de Swart, Henrique Matos, Yonas Paso, Ad Hems, João Soares, Frans Janssen, Ad de Kok, Nathalie Bastiaansen, Charles van Leeuwen, Mascha van Kleef, Christianne van de Wal.

Translation : Nathalie Bastiaansen, Brother Edward Gresnigt, Father Jan van der Kaa AA, Peter Huybers, Tony Verhallen.

Design: Heldergroen, The Netherlands Layout: DekoVerdivas, The Netherlands Printing: Franciscan Kolbe Press, Kenya

Contact: Brothers CMM, Rhapta Road, P.O.Box 14916 Nairobi, Westlands 00800, Kenya E-mail: Brother Elijah Agilo: kaggillos07@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

Photograph front cover : Band of the Frater Don Bosco School Lewoleba in Lembata, Indonesia.

Photograph back cover : Tree. Photo: Brother Ad de Kok.

BOARD

In this last issue of 2022, you will find the second portrait in the new ‘Portrait Gallery’ series. The contribution to the ‘In the Spotlight’ section this time comes from Brother Ad de Swart. The idea for this section came about because of the display case in the Joannes Zwijsen community, which he always puts together with great care. On the other side of the world, in Brazil, we also find some showcases, as part of exhibitions on the history of the brothers in Brazil. These were created by Brother Henrique Matos. The apostolate featured in this issue is that of the Frater Don Bosco High School Lewoleba in Lembata. Brother Yonas Paso proudly talks about this school, and in the photos, we see the students enthusiastically participating in various activities in and around school. In ‘Stories from the Past’, Brother Ad Hems looks back on his time in Indonesia and tells how he came up with the idea of starting a credit bank. Brother João Soares sent a contribution about the hostel St. Vincent de Paulo in Gleno, Timor Leste. Associate member Christianne van de Wal wrote an article about the conversations that are held regularly in the brother community at the residential care facility Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg. Christianne also wrote the text about Brother Frans Janssen in the section ‘See my people’. With this issue, we are already approaching the end of 2022. We wish you a Merry Christmas, and may 2023 be marked by peace on earth for all.

CONVERSATION

WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

Education is the ‘password’ to other domains. With a good education, people will be able to unlock opportunities in all these other domains and find ways to contribute to a better society.

In the mission statement we read that “most of our work is in the domain of teaching, accompaniment of the youth and church ministry.” Development of society can of course be done in many domains, such as health care, infrastructure, art, technology development, emancipation of minorities, to name some. Why this focus on education? career. We do not teach because of the salary, or the position that comes with it. Our motivation lies in the difference we want to make in the world. Fortunately, there are also many lay teachers with this motivation. Our work as a teacher can come with a salary of course, “for the labourer deserves his wages.”

What is it that makes the education at CMM schools or by CMM brothers special? What is ‘good education?’

The CMM schools are special because of the dedication and passion the brothers have for these schools. In addition to the regular subjects, we offer extracurricular activities, and we are always looking for new methods in learning. We want the children that are placed under our responsibility to be well prepared for the world they enter.

You mentioned the mission statement. This starts with “we are called…”. We are called to serve and enlighten. In education and youth work we try to do this in uplifting young people in mind, body, and soul. We are also called to speak a redeeming word. We do not only teach math or geography. We try to guide young people in questions such as: “How can I find meaning and purpose in my life?” And finally, we are called to be a helping hand. In being a helping hand to others we can set an example.

For us, being a teacher or working in the domain of youth work is a call, it is our vocation. It is not a

We want children to feel respected, encouraged, and supported in order to find their place in society. It is not only about getting the best grades or getting education at the highest possible level. In society we do not only need PhD’s. It is about discovering the unique talents of every child, so that they can be proud of who they are and contribute to society in their own best possible way.

What if all schools in the world would be like this? Would you have reached your goal? Would the brothers still be called to teach?

We can do other things as well, it depends on where the need is, but there will always be children. Society is constantly changing, so also education is always in development.

Lawrence Obiko in an interview with Nathalie Bastiaansen

Brother

A MAN OF TACT AND TALENT

It took a long time before the painting of the second superior general, Father Leo Drabbe (1852-1929) joined Tilburg’s portrait gallery. That gallery did not yet exist in his time and it appears that they forgot to include the portrait later. Father Drabbe finally received his well-earned portrait in 2010 by the Tilburg artist, Paul van Dongen. Father Drabbe was a beloved superior general. No question about it. He became a worthy successor to Father Superior De Beer; something many did not expect. De Beer had led the Congregation for more than half a century. Still, his 47-year-old successor soon won the hearts of the brothers. Formation was serious work but under his leadership it also had moments of laughter. Drabbe was educated at Ruwenberg, the most prestigious school of the brothers. Because of what he had experienced there he knew how important it was to relax the tight boarding school rules at times. Therefore, he introduced a program for students at the schools of the brothers, which required that they regularly go on excursions. Another decision of even greater importance was that he determined that the brothers who were teachers must have the opportunity to continue their studies. They gladly accepted this and it improved the quality of education. When we compare him with the strict Superior De Beer, Drabbe stood out for his humane and mild leadership.

Father Drabbe managed to celebrate a silver jubilee of his membership in the general board: fifteen years as board member and twelve years (1900-1912) as superior general. But his character, rather than his long years of service made him a beloved leader. He was talented yet careful. He lived his personal life exemplifying the ideals of the religious life. He knew how to formulate important ideas in a short, succinct way, like what he saw as the ideal of leadership for himself. He wanted to be “a simple and humble religious, a holy priest, a loving fellow brother, a knowledgeable professor, a prudent confessor, an experienced leader, an enlightened advisor”, like the fellow brother whom he had honoured with these words.

Father Drabbe expected much from the brothers in education. “A teacher is a man of tact and talent. He has a deep knowledge of his catechism and his Bible.

knows how to touch his students’ hearts (probably the most important thing a teacher must be able to do). And he is more than just a good Christian.”

Father Drabbe’s portrait conveys clearly that he was a man of prominence. He came from a well-known Tilburg family of educators; his father had supported the brothers during the time of the Congregation’s foundation. Bishop Zwijsen was happy when this scion of the family who were his friends entered the Congregation. When one looks closely at the portrait one sees his other quality: Father Leo was an enthusiastic leader, a man of integrity with an enlightened spirit and generous brotherhood.

Father Leo Drabbe.

He

Charles van Leeuwen

A SHOWCASE ON THE FOURTH FLOOR

The idea for the column ‘In the Spotlight’ in our Brothers CMM Magazine originated a while back because of a showcase in the community of Joannes Zwijsen. There is always a small exhibit dealing with the hobbies of the brothers, like collections, paintings, drawings and calligraphy. These exhibits are created by Brother Ad de Swart. We asked him for some comments.

On the fourth floor of the new Joannes Zwijsen building, in 2008, there was a wide-open space for which there was no specific purpose. Every day the necessary residents pass by several times. The lives of the residents have their limitations, their world has shrunk, and their stamina also requires regular short periods of rest. It is a place where conversation and memories easily flow together. In such a space a showcase might work wonders.

During the past 15 years there has been a new exhibit in the showcase about every five weeks. This creates an opportunity to take a short break while viewing the items on display, like paintings, drawings, collections and pictures, revisit memories and linger and reflect

Brother Ad de Swart at the showcase on the fourth floor of Joannes Zwijsen.

Brother Wout van den Hout gives an explanation to the Brothers Linus Schoutsen, Theo Adams, Jan Heerkens, Laurenti Verhoeven and Ad de Swart about his drawings, which are currently being exhibited in the showcase.

on lost or not yet applied treasures of wisdom from simple or great minds. For the last 15 years brothers and visitors can meet here. Constantly new residents arrive to refresh their memories of times and truths past, to give that smile another chance.

Unquestionably the special talents of the brother community come into focus, both of the deceased fellow brothers and of the living ones who, due to their work or where they lived have been overlooked and of whose talents many had no clue. It also happens that only after someone’s death one discovers what that person thought and produced in his solitary and quiet hours and that one might not have realized how his work would bring pleasure to others.

Certain items are displayed more than once because the group of residents and visitors changes continuously and/or whose memories unbeknownst to them are subject to change as well. By way of

calligraphed texts and other means the viewers are challenged to reflect, which occasionally may lead to intense and public discussions.

In this way, by using a superfluous piece of furniture and the overlooked creative products of deceased or forgotten fellow brothers, supported by inspiring thoughts of great minds or sometimes the works of those fellow brothers who are still alive, an attempt is made to bring the visitors an enriching rest break and food for thought and conversation. Simultaneously the deceased are remembered, which may be a revelation, or one gets belatedly a different view of a deceased brother. Afterwards one might admit regretfully that it really is a pity that we did not know this sooner. We hope that the fourth floor will be noisy and relaxing, so that an extra stroll is worth the effort.

Brother Ad de Swart, The Netherlands

Contribution for the showcase by Brother Hubertinus Cornelissen (in 2018).

CMM Memorial in Brazilië

In October 2020 the Brothers CMM transferred the management of Colégio Padre Estáquio in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, to the Marist Brothers. To commemorate the 60 years of school administration by the Brothers CMM, the two congregations decided to place a memorial in the school. This commemorative display was designed and executed by Brother Henrique Christiano José Matos. He also created an exhibit about the Brothers CMM in Brazil. This exhibit can be found in the retreat center, the Retiro Vicente de Paulo in Igarapé.

Memorial exhibit in the school

The brothers started the school in 1962 under the name of Ginásio Padre Eustáquio in a, at that time, poor neighbourhood at the edge of Belo Horizonte. There was a dire need for good education for the development of that place and of the surrounding neighbourhoods. The education at the public schools was indeed free - in that it was financed by the government - but was not really of high quality. The Catholic brother school provided quality education but as a private school had to charge tuition. The children of the poorer families could still attend the brother school on a grant. The policy was: one of every five students must attend our school free of charge. In 58 years, the small school grew into an imposing educational complex with a clear Christian and Catholic inspiration. The memorial exhibit will preserve the remembrances of all the people who have contributed to its success. An imposing timeline is shown on the wall, beneath it are the display cases. The history of the school from 1960 to 2020 is

sketched through short texts, photos, and objects. In the cabinets below the display cases documents can be found dealing with the ups and downs of the school.

A display case filled with memories.

The timeline for 60 years of Colégio Padre Eustáquio in Belo Horizonte, below it the display cases with photos, documents and objects related to the history of the school.

One can also see a bookcase with books and magazines which were published by the school. Next to it, along the wall is a tribute to the directors, both male and female, and other persons who made important contributions to the success of the school. The photos and the texts are on slate tiles in the truly typical style of Brother Henrique Matos.

In another corner of the hall, next to a display case with curiosities we see the slate tiles again, this time with photos and names of deceased fellow brothers in Brazil. They too played a vital role in the build-up of the school.

Exhibit at the Retiro Vicente de Paulo

In the mountain country near the city of Belo Horizonte lies the retreat Retiro Vicente de Paulo in Igarapé. The brothers offer hospitality there to groups of religious and lay people, who organize programs and retreats. In this area, the brothers have also actively contributed to Christian movements supporting the local population, especially in caring for young people, the underprivileged and in prison chaplaincy.

The exhibit in Igarapé, which opened in 2021, tells something about that history and the spirituality of the brothers in Brazil through images, words, and objects. Where did they work and what did they do? What inspired them, who are their great examples, what is their source of inspiration? The exposition also gives a good picture of the historical and ecclesiastical context of the Brothers CMM in Brazil, from 1960 to the present day.

A tribute to our deceased fellow brothers.

Exhibit in Igarapé:

gallery including the popes from 1960 to the present, the superiors general of the Brothers CMM since 1844, the regional superiors of CMM Brazil, and many other photos. Below photo books, reports, and other documents of the Congregation.

At the entrance to the exhibition a collage on the identity of the Congregation is placed. We see, among others, Jesus our merciful brother, the Founder Joannes Zwijsen, and the patron saints of the Brothers CMM: Vincent de Paul and Mary, Mother of Mercy. At the very top, we see “The Meaning of a Memorial (O sentido de um Memorial) : it is important to cultivate historical memory: to know and appreciate those who have gone before us, so that we can value the present and embrace with idealism and courage our vocation and mission in the future.”

Nathalie Bastiaansen

Collage on the identity of the Brothers CMM.

photo

FRATER DON BOSCO HIGH SCHOOL LEWOLEBA IN LEMBATA

Worldwide the Congregation is being confronted with all sorts of material and spiritual needs. The brothers, together with others, are trying to alleviate these. For the twenty-second edition of this feature, we go to the island of Lembata in Indonesia.

In 2006, the Congregation opened a new community in Lembata, located in the Diocese of Larantuka in Indonesia. At the time, the Indonesian province did not yet have its own project there, so the brothers who were sent to Lembata went to work in the parish of St. Fransiskus Assisi Lamahora. They did pastoral work or worked as teacher in one of the schools of the diocese or of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Charles Borromeo. In 2011, the brothers received permission from the government in Lembata to start a school: the Frater Don Bosco Senior High School Lewoleba.

Since its inception the presence of this school has made a positive contribution to the community in Lembata and to the church community in this area. The school choir sings during Eucharistic celebrations

in the church and is regularly invited to perform on other special occasions.

People are proud of the achievements of the students, both academically and non-academic, and even at the provincial and national level. ‘Providing good education’ is the aim of the brothers, which means, among other things, that attention is paid not only to the intellectual education, but also to the personal, social and spiritual development of the students. The school exists now for 11 years and during those years it has become one of the favourite schools in Lembata and the East Nusa Tenggara province.

Brother Yonas Paso CMM, Indonesia

Students of Frater Don Bosco School Lewoleba.

Frater Don Bosco High School Lewoleba in Lembata, Indonesia. Teamwork. Soccer team. Music award.

Scouting. Marching band. Presentations. Cooking class.

Cheerleaders.

Traditional dress.

Choir competition.

In the classroom.

Eucharistic celebration outside. Way of the cross.

At the credit bank office in 2004. The tsunami in 2004 and earthquakes in 2005 severely damaged the island of Nias. Credit bank (KSP3) contributed to the recovery and reconstruction work after those natural disasters.

THE CREDIT BANK

Brother Ad Hems worked as a missionary in Indonesia from 1969 until 2018. First in Balige, and since 1983 on the island of Nias. In 1985 he began a program with a bank providing microcredits to small farmers and craftsmen called Koperasi Pinjam Pengembangan Pedesaan (KSP3). A loan made it possible for farmers to purchase piglets. They promise revenue later, but one had to take good care of them of course. With the help of a friend, a veterinarian in Middelbeers, The Netherlands, Brother Ad obtained medicines to treat swine fever. That veterinarian found Brother Ad’s work in Indonesia quite interesting. So, in April 2018 he traveled to Indonesia to attend Brother Ad’s farewell from his work on the island of Nias. He was very impressed by what he saw there and invited Brother Ad to come to Middelbeers later that year and talk about his work in Indonesia. He introduced Brother Ad to the audience: “We want him to answer a few questions but keep them limited because I fear that if we don’t do that he will be talking late into the night, his stories are without end.” One of the questions dealt with the credit bank.

“How did that credit bank actually get started?”

Around 1985 I lived in a rectory with two German Capuchin priests and an Italian priest. One evening, as we were eating, one of the priests said: “This morning I was at a village about three hours walking from here to celebrate Mass. At communion time the faithful came forward. Among them was a little old woman who said while she opened her hands: “He pastore lohadoi dalu-dalu?” (Oh pastor, you don’t have medicine?) It got me to thinking. That little woman did not need communion, or Our Lord, no, she wanted to get healthy.

“This gets interesting, Ad. Go on but keep it short!”

I started to study more intensely and learn the local language of the island. The Indonesian language wasn’t very helpful there. One evening I went to a kampong. Some thirty farmers and peasant women had assembled there. I asked why they were so poor. Their response was extremely negative. They told me that there was absolutely no way for them to get ahead. I asked those who thought that as well to stand up. Very soon all of them were standing except for just a few; they might have fallen asleep. “You may sit down again,” I said. “And if it is true that there is absolutely

Brother Ad Hems (left) with boys of boarding school Gunung Sitoli (Nias) in 2005. Brother Broer Huitema (right) on a working visit there.

no way at all to get ahead, I’ll take the boat tomorrow and I’ll be gone.” After a while somebody said: “Is there really a way to escape this poverty?”

“Pretty interesting. Just keep going Hems.”

I stood up and said: “Yes, there is”. I started to talk about co-operative, about the system of saving and borrowing. “Yes but… we really don’t have any money to save.” I asked if they went to the market every week and what they bought there. “Salted fish, a little salt and sugar, coffee, occasionally some rice to avoid eating beets all the time”. I asked them if they still had some money left over when they got home again.

Sometimes that did happen. Not much, but still, just a little. So, I said: “Every time when you have a little money left, put it on the top shelf in your house so the children don’t know and can’t get to it. And you do it again the next week. Every two or three weeks you give the saved money to the brother and I will record the amount. Then I’ll set up saving and loan books.” Six months later some people had collected the equivalent of 100 in rupiahs. What I did in that one kampong I repeated in many more kampongs.

“What happened then? Just keep going Father van den Elzen, apostle of farmers!*”

Well, at times some mothers came by to proudly show those saving and loan books. With a pat on their shoulders, I said something like: “What do I see? You saved that much already? That’s fantastic!” This mother, who never had anything, now had a savings account and a small amount of money. She always stood stooped but now she straightened up and became a strong proud woman! It brought me great joy.

Brother Ad (Amator) Hems, The Netherlands

* A reference to Father van den Elzen (1853-1925), a Dutch priest who set up savings and loan banks with and for farmers as farmers’ credit banks in the province of Noord Brabant, in the early 1900’s.

Brother Ad at the rice fields in Balige in 2007.

MERCIFUL SERVICE AT SANTO VINCENT DE PAULO HOSTEL IN GLENO

The brothers in the community of Gleno in Timor Leste manage not only the ESTVC-MM vocational school, but also a hostel for boys and girls, the Santo Vincent de Paulo boarding school. This task is seen as part of their pastoral work. Brother João Soares shares about his work in this hostel.

The dining room of the boys.

The purpose of the boarding school is to receive students who come from far away. The brothers manage not only a hostel for boys, as usual, but also a department for girls.

Unfortunately, the current condition of the building and the facilities is not optimal. This situation however does not discourage the brothers from continuing this work. The brothers who labour at the boarding school are always looking for the best way to facilitate the formation of the children.

There are in total 44 students at the boarding school: 23 boys and 21 girls. Central is that this is a work of mercy, which in the spirituality of the Congregation is always the starting point when working with young people. This is realized in the way the brothers teach, communicate and interact with the youngsters. Experience shows that a compassionate attitude is not always as easy as it seems. Sometimes you must make sacrifices, but merciful service leads us to what

is needed here: education and equal opportunity for all. This is our task as brothers, together with families, parishes and everyone in leadership positions.

Brother João Soares CMM, Timor Leste

Doing homework together.

Working in the vegetable garden.

BROTHERLY CONVERSATIONS AT THE RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY JOANNES ZWIJSEN

In the community of the Brothers CMM at the Residential Care Facility Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg, “Brotherly Conversations” are being held a few times during the year around a theme presented by one of the brothers. In the summer of 2022, the question was raised as to how, as elderly brothers, they could contribute to the mission of the Congregation. The question was triggered by the new Mission Statement of the Congregation. (See p. 2 of this edition).

In the Joannes Zwijsen community there are many brothers who were sent out as missionaries abroad, and who presently spend their retirement years back in The Netherlands. How do they embody the mission of the Congregation at this stage of their lives?

Caring for one another

At the residential care facility, the brothers live together with other residents with whom they eat, pray and have conversations together. Some are asking themselves what the older brothers are still capable of doing. As missionaries working in another country, they had a clear job description. But just showing an interest in one another is also a way of living out the mission of the Congregation in everyday life. It is experienced as a chance to contribute to that mission. There is also more opportunity for things which before they never or hardly ever had time for: keeping in touch with family, writing letters and so paying attention to their fellow human beings.

As missionaries it was probably more obvious how we could support others, but, as one of the brothers said: “Here in the Joannes Zwijsen community we are one family, we share life with people who are old, sick or handicapped and that alone is an encouragement to continue in the best and most loving way possible.”

Keepers of the heritage

One of the brothers admitted that earlier the suffering of Christ did not mean as much to him as it does in the past few years. His physical condition make it hard for him to be active. Even the short walk to the meeting room costs him an arm and a leg. Nevertheless, he discerns for himself and his fellow brothers a calling:

The living room of the brothers at the residential care facility Joannes Zwijsen (photo: 2020).

as older brothers they can pass on their knowledge and experience to the younger confrères. They are the keepers of the heritage of the brothers.

Brothers for life

Brother Caspar, community superior and the youngest resident, briefly quotes a few positive and heartwarming reactions of the caregivers who are dealing with the brothers. Without hesitation he puts it that the pleasant atmosphere in the residential care facility Joannes Zwijsen is for a great deal due to the presence of the religious brothers and sisters, who make all the difference there. Brother you are for life, even when you are retired already for a long time.

Christianne van de Wal, Associate Member, The Netherlands

BROTHER MUSICIANS

Somewhere in the 80’s when Brother Caesario Peters was the archivist in the Generalate, he asked himself one day why nothing had been written about the musicians among the brothers. At that stage he had found 260 cantatas which the brothers had composed over the years. He published this question in the Dutch CMM publication ‘Tussenbeide’ in 1986. Since then, no one had replied to this query. In 2020 Brother Hermenegildus Beris took on the challenge. He dived into the archives searching for information about brothers who in one way or another had been active in the field of music. Compositions, making music, developing methods for the learning of music, building violins: the brothers were multi-talented. By means of a number of short monographs Brother Hermenegildus hopes to do justice to these composers, organists and choir masters and to make sure that their names and accomplishments are not lost. By the end of 2020 the book appeared under the title: Fraters Musici in de Congregatie van Fraters van Onze Lieve Vrouw, Moeder van Barmhartigheid. It has become a massive book. Brother Caesario was right: there is a great deal to talk about regarding these brother musicians.

ANNIVERSARIES in

19 March: *75*

Br. Nicácio Huiskamp.

1 May : *25*

Br. Eric Magoka.

3 May: *25*

Br. Paskalis Wangga, Br. Paulinus Zebua, Br. Emarius Gulö.

1 June: *40*

Br. Andy Effruan.

13 August: *40*

Br. Caspar Geertman.

29 August: *70*

Br. Ger Oomens, Br. Frans van Pinxteren, Br. Rob Swinkels.

16 October: *40*

Br. Vincent Odhiambo Oguok.

2023

BROTHER Piet (P.J.)

Dilissen

Piet was born in Overpelt, Belgium, on September 26, 1932, and entered the Congregation of the Brothers CMM in Tilburg on August 29, 1950. He died in the residential care facility ‘Het Dorpvelt’ in Zonhoven, Belgium, in the evening of August 19, 2022. On Friday August 26 we said goodbye to him in a liturgical celebration. Afterwards he was buried among his deceased fellow brothers at the cemetery of Zonhoven-Centrum.

Brother Piet made his profession for life on August 15, 1955, in Tilburg. A short time later he completed his teacher training and worked a few years as a primary teacher in Belgium. In 1959 he was sent to Congo with three fellow brothers. There he also worked as a teacher. The period of war and violence in Congo he survived, but was forced eventually, together with his fellow brothers, to leave the country. A second mission followed, this time to Namibia and again he worked there in the field of education. Because of health reasons he left Namibia after 35 years, but he was determined to return. It pained him that this return proved to be impossible. Piet was a humble man who did not like be in the limelight but was always willing to talk about the mission. The last years of his life he lived in a relaxed way. He had come to terms with the fact that one day the end would come. Thanks to the excellent care he was able to remain living at the residential care facility ‘Het Dorpvelt’, where he peacefully passed away. Now he may find himself secure with God. We are grateful to him for his brotherhood and faithful commitment to the mission in the countries he treasured in his heart: Belgium, Congo and Namibia.

THE PILGRIMAGE OF BROTHER FRANS JANSSEN

Who are these brothers? 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? Brother Frans Janssen, missionary in Kenya, talks about a special pilgrimage he once made.

In the summer of 2013, the Provincial Superior in Kenya, Brother Andrea Sifuna, asked Brother Frans if he wanted to participate in the Vincentian pilgrimage in France one day. Frans complied, but “more to accommodate Brother Sifuna” than he felt like it himself.

With one of the participants, Frans discussed passages from the book Following Vincent by René Stockman. And Frans, in his own words, really followed Vincent. Before the pilgrimage he had heard and read something about Vincent, but he had never realized exactly what his impact had been. Frans considered himself an average brother, but after the pilgrimage he was “a different person, a different brother”. With some emotion in his voice, he recounts, many years later in 2022, that he returned to Kenya at the time with a totally different feeling.

What had happened during the pilgrimage? Frans tells of the visit to Folleville, where Vincent met a farmer who could not die because his conscience greatly bothered him. This story has an impact on Frans. After Vincent heard the farmer’s confession, he could die peacefully. Frans also is still moved by a sermon

Vincent preached, in which he urged people to just pay attention to those who have nothing, áfter Mass.

On one of his walks in Le Berceau, Vincent’s birthplace, Brother Frans was accompanied by Brother Jan Koppens, with whom he struck up a conversation about Vincent’s saying; ‘the poor are our masters’. Together they discussed Vincent’s path to the poor, and then also the question, ‘Where do I stand?’ Frans concluded that he was still far removed from it. And what he discussed with Brother Jan (“And Jan can’t contradict me anymore”, says Frans with a wink) was that he really would like to stand with the poor in Kenya, and not as a kind of benefactor ‘above them’.

Back in Kenya, Frans initially processed the pilgrimage in his own quiet way, but after a while he started talking about it, nevertheless. In speaking about the pilgrimage, a world of confidence and energy unfolded for his daily life as the brother he really wanted to be.

Christianne van de Wal, Associate Member, The Netherlands

Brother Frans at the Vincentian Museum of the Vincentians in Paris.

THROUGH OUR BELIEF

RESURRECTION

(from the Rule of Life of the Brothers CMM)

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

IN THE

OF THE LORD, WE KNOW THAT, BEYOND FAILURE AND SUFFERING, ONLY THAT WHICH IS GOOD WILL, IN THE END, INHERIT THE FUTURE.