As I am traveling back to the United States from a 10-day visit to our missions in Africa, I cannot help but to thank the good Lord for the opportunity He has given me to venture into this memorable visit. I also would like to thank our Father General, Fr. Ted for inviting me to join him in this historic visit.
I honestly would say that there are so much emotions and realizations I had on this trip. The people in our mission are all witnesses of the good and noble works that our first missionaries did in this war torn and struggling nation.
During our visit to the mother mission of the Adorno Fathers in Nyamilima, I was surprised and impressed on how our missionaries developed this community. They built a hospital, schools, churches and created a livelihood for the locals. You can see the gratitude in the eyes of the wrinkled faces of the elderly and in the smiling faces of the children whenever a priest passes them as they shout, “Padiri!” (Father). This is how our confreres worked in the mission. They not only took care of their welfare by establishing a means of medical, educational, and spiritual assistance. The most important thing they manifested was their ongoing presence among the people. The locals saw and continue to see the goodness and providence of God in the many works of mercy that our confreres accomplished for them.
We may have pre-conceived ideas with regards to situation and work in the mission areas. However, one thing is for sure, our confreres truly reflect the charism of our Founders as preachers of divine love, as apostles to the poor, the sick and the lonely. For more than 35 years of our Order’s presence in this part of the world, God has truly used our brothers to show his mercy and love to these people.
I have seen also the fruits of our first missionaries (Fr. Thomas Barbona, Fr. Paolo DiNardo and Fr. Raffaele Mandolesi) as I mingled with the orphans and students in the orphanage and schools they established. The appreciation they expressed due to our presence truly left a good impression on me and everyone else.
One of the highlights of my visit was the opportunity to meet our African priests, brothers and seminarians. It became evident in my interactions with the seminarians their desire for integration. They truly want to know more of their “Adorno” confreres who are ministering in the different Delegations. They are very appreciative that three of our theologians are spending part of their pastoral year in the mission. This is the incarnation of the theme of the last General Chapter,” I will make all things new’. Let not the mistakes of some negate the noble and faithful service of our confreres who religiously minister to the least, the last and the lost.
Ten days is not enough to see all the mission areas we have in Africa. There is so much to do and yet we face the challenges of resources. With God’s providence, our Order can still support these missions but I know that they need help more than ever. As a Delegation, we are blessed to have resources coming from our parish ministries. We also have individuals and organizations who continuously support our works and mission. I thank each and every one of you for all the sacrifices you make. May our Delegation continue to help our brothers in the mission.
God is never outdone in generosity!
Fr. Jason Caganap, crm