November 2017 NuntiaNewsletter of the Congregation of the Mission FOUR HUNDRED YEARS OF FIDELITY TO ITS CHARISM AND THE NEW EVANGELIZATION @CMissionis CMglobal.org Congregatio Missionis www.cmglobal.org NuntiaNewsletter of the Congregation of the Mission Content Page Visit of Fr. Tomaž Mavrič CM to Madagascar 3 Reflections on the Recent Beatification Of the Spanish Martyrs of the Vincentian Family 5 XVII Vincentian Heritage Encounter 6 A new mission of the CM in the Central African Republic! 8 First Encounter of Vincentian Archivists and Librarians 10 The visit of the Superior General to Syria 11 A Vincentian Family Festival and Celebration 12 Mission Appeal 14 General Information 15 CM Visit of Fr. Tomaž Mavrič CM to Madagascar This year, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary meetings and dialogues with the members of the of the birth of the Vincentian charism, Father Tomaž various branches of the Vincentian Family that are Mavrič, CM, superior general, visited this island in ministering in Madagascar: members of the AIC, the the Indian Ocean. He arrived on October 20th and Congregation of the Mission, the Company of the the following day he traveled to Talaognaro and was Daughters of Charity, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, accompanied by the assistant visitor, Father Anton the Vincentian Marian Youth, the Miraculous Medal Kerin, CM. According to some of the confreres who Association, the Nazarene Sisters (founded by Marc greeted father general he is reported to have said: Antonio Durando, CM), the Gethsemane Sisters Madagascar to walk on this soil is something great … father was (founded by Fr. Manzella, CM), the Family of Maria reminding the confreres about the missionaries who Sakalalina (consecrated lay persons … an association had travelled to that land during the time of Vincent founded by Father Lupano, CM) and members of de Paul. TMM (Tanora Miara-Mavavaka: students and former- students at the Jesuit school who have formed a group Father’s visit involved traveling to various places. The dedicated to prayer and charitable work inspired by Visitor, Father Alexandre Rafanomenzantsoa, CM, Vincentian spirituality). accompanied Father Tomaž during his journey to six different dioceses.1 In Taolagnaro there was a meeting Father General was able to observe various activities with the members of the Vincentian Family and the and achievements in different areas: pastoral ministry, celebration of the Eucharist. This was followed by a popular missions, catechetical formation, spiritual journey to the diocese of Ihosy and then to Fianarantsoa animation, chaplains at hospitals, health care, care for where some time was spent at the scholasticate in children and the elderly, technical and professional Tanantsoa. Then the journey continued with visits to formation, promotion of women, projects in the area the diocese of Farafangana and Antsirabe (there some of rural development and communication. There was time was spent at the Antsimontsena-Sabosty Home also an opportunity to listen to the concerns with where the Daughters of Charity care for physically regard to finance and structures. handicapped children). The journey concluded with a visit to Antananarivo. During this visit there were meetings with members of the local church: Bishop Vincent Rakotozafy (Diocese During his stay, the superior general had numerous of Taolagnaro), Bishop Fulgence Razakarivony (Diocese of Ihosy) and Bishop José Alfredo Caires de Nobrega 1 Cf. Congrégation de la Mission, Province (Diocese of Mananjary and Apostolic Administrator de Madagascar, Annexe au Circulaire n°24, du 13 of the Diocese of Farafangana). There were meetings juillet 2017. Nuntia November 2017 3 CM with many other individuals who are not members of least brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me the Vincentian Family, for example, civil and military (Matthew 25:40) authorities. • Do not minister alone, but rather collaborate and In his various interventions, Father General emphasized act together for the mission. the fact that the Jubilee Year is not simply a time to remember what happened in the past but rather is a One event that has marked the presence of the time to celebrate and prepare for the future … to open Vincentians in Madagascar is their extension into the northern-most part of the country. On November ourselves to all the possibilities that the Vincentian th heritage presents to us. We must dream, but dream 5 , the Eucharist was celebrated in the Akamasoa together and journey along a path of solidarity. We d’Ambohimahitsy Center. During that celebration, participate in a common vision and hope that enables Father General and the Visitor sent forth Father Marcin us to move beyond the present challenges and Wisniewski and Father Gérard Paulbert Fetiarison difficulties. Father stated:if we dream alone, then the to Mahavokatra where they will collaborate with dream is merely a dream, but if we dream together then Archbishop Benjamin Marc Ramaroson (Diocese of our dreams become reality. We are all called to reach Antsiranana); Father Sylver Misy and Father Hery Tiana out to others, but to reach out in a special manner to Randrianaivoson were sent forth to Antanandava- those persons who are poor. Father’s words were an Mampikony where they will collaborate with Bishop echo of the words of Pope Francis who addressed the Georges Varkey Puthiyakulangara (Diocese of members of the Vincentian Family during the time Port—Bergé). The Superior General blessed these of the Vincentian Symposium that was held in Rome. missionaries and prayed that they would be given the Indeed, we ought to clothe ourselves in the experience necessary graces that would enable their ministry to of Vincent de Paul in as much as he is a mystic of charity. be fruitful. th During his visit, Father spoke frequently about three During this celebration of November 5 there were elements of our Vincentian spirituality: many gestures and discourses that were intended to express friendship and gratitude. A commemorative • The primacy of God: intimate union with Christ plaque was place on the outside wall of the house Madagascar through daily prayer, spiritual exercises and acts of in Soavimbahoaka, Antananarivo (to the left of St. piety … that is the hidden side of the coin when Vincent’s statue). Yes, we bless the Lord for all that speaking about the Vincentian experience. has been done in our midst. • The mystery of the Incarnation: to give witness On November 6th, before his departure for Rome, to God’s love through affective and effective Father Tomaž met with a delegation of the European love for those persons who are marginalized and Union Corporation for Madagascar and Comoros abandoned2 … whatever you did for one of these headed by Franck Porte in order to discuss a project intended to benefit many people in need. Finally, 2 Vincent de Paul, Correspondence, Conference, Father General met with the Apostolic Nuncio, Bishop Documents, translators: Helen Marie Law, DC (Vol. 1), Paolo Rocco Gualtieri and then went to the airport for Marie Poole, DC (Vol. 1-13b), James King, CM (Vol. his return flight. 1-2), Francis Germovnik, CM (Vol. 1-8, 13a-13b [La- tin]), Esther Cavanagh, DC (Vol. 2), Ann Mary Dou- May this Jubilee Year renew us all! gherty, DC (Vol. 12); Evelyne Franc, DC (Vol. 13a-13b), By: Pierre Marie Ralahizafy, CM Thomas Davitt, CM (Vol. 13a-13b [Latin]), Glennon E. Provincial Secretary Madagascar Figge, CM (Vol. 13a-13b [Latin]), John G. Nugent, CM Translated: (Vol. 13a-13b [Latin]), Andrew Spellman, CM (Vol. 13a-13b [Latin]); edited: Jacqueline Kilar, DC (Vol. 1-2), Charles T. Plock, CM Marie Poole, DC (Vol. 2-13b), Maria Poule, DC [editor- Eastern Province, USA in-chief] (Vol. 3-10, 13a-13b), Paule Freeburg, DC (Vol. 3), Mirian Hamway, DC (Vol. 3), Elinor Hartman, DC Carven, CM (Vol. 1-13b); New City Press, Brooklyn (Vol. 4-10, 13a-13b), Ellen Van Zandt, DC (Vol. 9-13b), and Hyde Park, 1985-2009; volume IX:465-470; volume Ann Mary Dougherty (Vol. 11-12); annotated: John W. XI:32-33. Nuntia 4 November 2017 CM Reflections on the Recent Beatification Of the Spanish Martyrs of the Vincentian Family At this point in our celebration of the Jubilee Year, we A second reflection leads us to consider the event as have witnessed another extraordinary event, one that not simply one that occurred during the decade of the has had profound effects on all the members of the 1930’s but as an event that has meaning for our own Vincentian Family. Indeed, all of the various events era. What is the significance of proclaiming these men that have occurred during this year are related to one and women as “blessed”? Could it not be a motive to another and the 400th anniversary of the origin of the situate ourselves anew in the midst of an environment Vincentian charism is given new meaning through where we experience so much hatred and hostility? the witness of the faith and charity of the martyrs in Perhaps this celebration is intended to remind us of Spain who, on November 11th, 2017. were declared the on-going struggle between good and evil and, thus, “Blessed”. disturb our complacency. This event can also be seen as a reminder that in the midst of so many acts of cruelty My first reflection revolves around certain elements and barbarity, there is no greater love than to lay down that are part of every beatification and that are also one’s life for one’s friends. The martyrs never spoke part of our Vincentian history. The sixty martyrs were against their persecutors, rather they forgave them; Family Vincentian members of the Congregation of the Mission, the there was no hatred in the hearts of these Vincentian Daughters of Charity, the Vincentian Marian Youth martyrs … like Jesus, these men and women spoke and the Miraculous Medal Association.