Flavien U. Bouambe, cicm

“CICM Formation for Mission in a Changing World.” This theme guided the 5th edition of the Ongoing Formation Session for CICM Formators. I had the privilege of attending it from August 3 to 16, 2025, at the Theophile Verbist Center in Mbudi, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The session was supervised by the CICM General Government.

Formators from Africa, America, Asia, and Europe gathered for nearly three weeks in the formation houses of the Congregation, engaging in prayer, meditation, and reflection on Initial Formation in CICM. Guided by Msgr. Faustin Ambassa, Archbishop of Garoua, they explored Spirituality and Mission, the Foundations of Formation as outlined by Church and Congregation documents, and the role of Psychology. The essential message that emerged is the importance of continual grace, renewal, and adapting Formation to the current context.

Spirituality and Mission: The opening Mass, presided over by the Superior General, the Father Charles Phukuta, and the recollection preached by our confrere Msgr. Edouard Tsimba, Auxiliary Bishop of Kinshasa, on the theme: “Formators, Sheep and Shepherds”, laid the essential foundations for the rest of the proceedings. Inspired by the image of Christ the Good Shepherd, the preacher first reminded us of the formator's mission towards those in formation: to care for them. This mission is first and foremost a mission of presence, for the Lord Jesus says: “I know my sheep.” The knowledge Christ speaks of is a deep knowledge, that is, knowing the joys and sorrows of the young people in formation. All this is possible only if one is among them and lives with them as a brother. Secondly, the formator is also called to be a good shepherd. The sheep listens to the voice of its shepherd. By listening to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the formator also listens to the young people entrusted to him. Listening is a sign of humility and opens the way to wisdom. Finally, for this mission to be accomplished, the formator must also be a man of prayer, prayer being “the oxygen of our faith and the key that opens the heart of God.”

As the Congregation is missionary, initial formation is oriented towards the Mission. The missiological approach was presented by Professor-Abbot Leonard Santedi, priest of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa. Presenting the current Mission in the context of globalization, its challenges and prospects, he emphasized that the Mission is the very identity and nature of the Church. The Church exists for the mission. The Church's missionary activity takes into account the challenges of today's world because it cannot ignore the concrete situations of the world. Proclaiming the Good News of salvation means providing answers to the questions of the men and women of our time. To this end, a number of challenges have been identified: the relationship between faith and culture, service to humanity or human promotion, and Mission and globalization. With regard to the prospects or areas of missionary engagement, the Church is invited to promote the prophetic mission, which consists in proclaiming, denouncing, and renouncing; then the sapiential mission, which is to listen to the voice of wisdom; and finally, the poetic mission, which is to bring about newness, to create and shape something beautiful from reality. It is a matter of bringing God's newness into the heart of the world. Formators must be attentive to the context in which the Mission is carried out today and open themselves to the love of God that transforms hearts. The missionary dimension of formation also requires living in a dynamic of interculturality. Our confrere, Msgr. Cyprien Mbuka, Bishop Emeritus of Boma, introduced us to this dynamic of interculturality in the Congregation. In light of today's changes, he invites us to build a “cultural identity of our own” that arises from acculturation. From this perspective, interculturality is an effort to build a cultural identity. Formators should help young people in formation grow in their own culture, root themselves in their cultural identity, and open themselves to other cultures. In addition, our confrere Prosper Mbumba introduced us to the “world of young people,” composed of Millennials (Generation Y) and Centennials (Generation Z). For him, the world of young people in these generations is characterized by the development of New Information and Communication Technologies (NICT), which have a remarkable impact on young people's thoughts and actions. Trainers should engage with this dynamic in order to better understand and support young people in training.

Foundations of Formation According to Church Documents and CICM Documents.

Father Georges Njila, priest of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa, gave us a presentation on the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis of 2016, a document that regulates initial formation in the Church in general. After explaining the different stages of formation as set out in the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis, he highlighted the main purpose of each stage: to train the candidate for the life of a missionary disciple and to be configured to Christ. As for Initial Formation in CICM, it is part of the Church's formation. Father Roger Nshono, general councilor in charge of initial formation in CICM, gave us a presentation on the General Guidelines for Initial Formation, inviting us to consider them as a guide and a valuable tool for the harmony of formation programs in CICM.

The Role of Psychology in the Initial Formation of CICM.

The importance of psychology in formation was addressed from several angles, namely: psychological evaluation of candidates, counseling, detection of sexual orientation, and psychological well-being of formators. The issue of psychological evaluation was addressed by Sister Professor Florence Mbiya of the Congregation of the Theresean Sisters of Kinshasa. She recalled the reasons for psychological assessment for consecrated persons. First, the theological and ethical context: consecrated persons are human beings like anyone else, with wounds and fragilities that require support. This assessment helps to identify potential psychological issues, promote self-knowledge, and finally, support the person in times of crisis and transition. Father Jean-Claude Kanku, in turn, addressed counseling in its practical and theoretical dimensions, highlighting its importance as part of the broader family of relationships that contribute to the psychological and spiritual growth of the human person.

The session ended with a reflection on the importance of formators' psychological well-being. Drawing on his rich experience in the leadership of the Congregation, the Superior General, Charles Phukuta, emphasized the need to take care of oneself mentally. Because the formator, like any human being, faces many challenges and pressures in his work environment, he must take good care of himself. Neglecting this dimension of our being risks a counterproductive ministry. Hence, the urgency of putting in place a strategy that includes periods of rest and recreation, participation in activities that nourish the body, mind, and soul, and openness to trustworthy people with whom to share one's joys and sorrows.

This session was both a valuable learning experience and a time of reunion, strengthening our fraternal bonds. As formators, we gained tools to fulfill our ministry within the Church and the Congregation. We now better understand our identity, role, and mission. We recognize the many challenges ahead: living as true witnesses and examples, embracing the "Sensus Fidei" by listening to the Holy Spirit through those we accompany, and preparing young people for future missions. This session has filled us with new hope for our congregation. We thank the General Government for organizing this important event in our Congregation’s best interest.

Arsène N. Ndjamba, cicm

From August 3 to 16, 2025, I participated in the 5th edition of the CICM Ongoing Formation Session for Formators at the Theophile Verbist Center of Mbudi (CTV) in Kinshasa. The theme was "CICM Formation for Mission in a Changing World." Twenty-two CICM formators from our ten formation houses worldwide attended. The atmosphere was deeply fraternal, embodying our motto: "cor unum et anima una." It was a time of sincere sharing, during which CICM formators expressed their joys, pains, fears, and expectations regarding their ministry. In this article, I want to share this uplifting experience, which I believe is a trustworthy source of motivation and revitalization for our CICM identity.

The program began with an opening Mass presided over by Father Charles Phukuta, CICM, Superior General. This was followed by a recollection led by Bishop Edouard Tsimba, CICM, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa, on the theme: "Formators: Shepherds and Sheep." The session, moderated by Archbishop Faustin Ambassa, CICM, Metropolitan Archbishop of Garoua, was held under the supervision of the General Government.

The program was organized around four main themes:

1. Spirituality and Mission

2. Foundations of Formation according to the documents of the Church   and the CICM

3. The Role of Psychology in Initial Formation

4. Leadership at the Service of Initial Formation

Throughout these themes, several competent speakers delivered teachings. However, our exchanges led to a clear realization: the challenges of CICM formation are significant and tangible. We formulated eighteen actionable recommendations for the different levels of government within our Congregation. The urgent task is to ensure that these recommendations do not become "dead letters." They are intended to take shape in our daily mission, becoming concrete decisions, bold initiatives, and transformative actions within our communities. May they serve as a spark to rekindle our missionary zeal, revitalize our passion for formation, and renew our methods of preparing workers for the Lord's vineyard.

We also recognized that our mission is grounded in an international Congregation where borders dissipate as we engage with one another's languages. Learning the two official languages of the Congregation is a concrete missionary act—a living bridge between cultures. By personally committing to this learning, we lead by example and provide our young people with the key to access the universal CICM fraternity. Let us inspire them with conviction: each new word learned in another language is a seed planted for communion, collaboration, and mission without borders.

In a world where new technologies advance at a rapid pace, our mission is not only to use them but also to place them at the service of the Kingdom. Technology can open new horizons for evangelization, accompaniment, and formation. Let us commit to utilizing these tools effectively while maintaining the inner freedom that allows us to remain masters of our instruments. We must also encourage our young people to develop a critical perspective, nurture their sense of discernment, and avoid letting screens dictate their decisions. Thus, rather than stifling their spirit, technology can become a catalyst for creativity, communion, and service.

The CICM formator in today's world is engaged in a spiritual mission that demands ongoing adaptation within a globalized context. This mission is based on the documents of the Church and the Congregation and requires psychological competence, as well as strong leadership, in managing and guiding our formation houses.

More than just a series of conferences, this session was a moment of genuine renewal, equipping us with important lessons for our ministry as CICM formators. Each formation house shared its activities, joys, pains, challenges, and projects. It was a privileged time where encounters, sharing, formation, and CICM fraternity converged. We experienced our multicultural and international identity, rediscovering our human richness and realizing that each of us can express ourselves or understand one of the Congregation's languages, some even fluently. This was a unique opportunity to meet in person confrères whose names we had only heard before. It was a time for evaluation, advice, and dialogue with members of the General Government, marked by a relaxing excursion—a time filled with joy and pride in being missionary CICM formators.

Ramel Portula, cicm
Missionary in the USA

The first of July marks Missionhurst’s first year in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, serving Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Columbia, Maryland. Where did the year go? As people say, time flies when you’re having fun. The past month or so has been busy at St. John. Although the seasons of Lent and Easter were long, we persevered through them with parish activities. Sonny and I are still in transition, just as the community that received us.

Rebuilt National Conference

At the beginning of June, some catechists and parish staff members attended a two-day Rebuilt Conference in Timonium, Maryland. Rebuilt is about parish renewal, transforming parishes into thriving centers of missionary activity. The team from Saint John attended workshops on youth and family ministries, developing pastoral care ministry, getting people out of the pews, Children’s Liturgy, forming parish small groups, and “attendance vs. discipleship.” These are some of the many ‘catchy-titled’ breakout sessions that were offered.

This was a national Rebuilt Conference attended by hundreds of parish workers and clergy coming from parishes across the United States. Fr. Michael White, the pastor of Nativity Church in Timonium, and Tom Corcoran, pastoral associate at Nativity Church co-authored several books about their experience with parish renewal using the Rebuilt model. We ended the two-day conference energized and full of ideas for SJERC-Columbia.

Mass for the Preservation of Justice and Peace

In the words of Archbishop Lori in his April 22nd letter to priests serving in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, he wrote, “Troubling actions by the US government have brought negative consequences to the most vulnerable here and worldwide while also increasing awareness of the Church’s urgent humanitarian work. To be our brother’s and sister’s keeper means resettling refugees, giving unhoused neighbors a safe place to sleep, and providing physical and spiritual nourishment to alleviate suffering and contribute to peace and stability.”

He invited the clergy to concelebrate at the Mass on June 11, which he offered for the Preservation of Peace and Justice in thanksgiving for the work of Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore.

I joined our parishioners who volunteer for the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Saint John at this Mass for the preservation of justice and peace. Many clergy from the archdiocese, men religious serving the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and bishops from other dioceses were at the altar with Archbishop William Lori.

The beautiful Cathedral was packed. The energy was palpable. The bells tolled from Baltimore’s mother church for this Mass. The choir was splendid. It was profoundly moving. The archbishop spoke with such a prophetic voice. He began his homily saying, “We gather today in a spirit of deep gratitude and with no small amount of urgency.” “Gratitude and Urgency”: those two words stayed with me throughout the entire celebration.

Saint John Celebrates Corpus Christi with a Procession

The heat of late June did not stop parishioners from coming out and processing with the Blessed Sacrament on Corpus Christi. Parish leaders organized the Corpus Christi procession with an emphasis on the multicultural gift of our parish. There were five altars set up around Wilde Lake Campus. These were the altars where the monstrance rested for veneration, which Africans, Anglos, Filipinos, and Hispanics all beautifully decorated. The decades of the Holy Rosary were also said in English, Pidgin English, Filipino, and Spanish. The English and Spanish Councils of the Knights of Columbus served as honor guards during the Eucharistic procession. After the Benediction, everyone enjoyed the cold, refreshing, and delicious fruit drink prepared by the Hispanic community.

Interfaith Vigil for Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Immigrants

Columbia has a strong interfaith coalition of churches, organizations, synagogues, and mosques collaborating in addressing concerns caused by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency activities across the country and in Maryland. Saint John the Evangelist co-sponsored an Interfaith Vigil for Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Immigrants together with the Columbia Jewish Congregation and other churches, advocacy groups, and civic organizations.

Held at Oakland Mills Interfaith Center in Columbia last June 29, the interfaith vigil was a Sunday afternoon of prayer, songs, and stories of tragedy and resilience. This event was attended by over 250 people, including local elected officials and state representatives. Witnessing the collaboration of different groups that put this together was a beautiful experience. To those who attended, everyone likely knows someone affected by the immigration raids - neighbors or acquaintances facing uncertainty, fear, and isolation. The current situation also reminds our Jewish congregations about their ancestors’ collective memory of the holocaust, escape, and migration.

Rabbi Michael Hess Webber of the Columbia Jewish Congregation gave the opening prayer, and he prayed:

“We were once strangers in the land of Egypt and, I expect, most of us in this room come from families of refugees and immigrants fleeing persecution, if not recently, then many years ago! We know, whether from personal experience or ancestral memory, what it means to be forced from our homes to escape tyranny and persecution. Let us not forget, in this critical moment, what it means to be vulnerable, what it means to uproot, to march into the wilderness, to survive - or even more - to thrive. This collective experience of our ancestors must sensitize us to the human rights and needs of those who are seeking refuge NOW.”

It was an afternoon dedicated to expressing solidarity and building bridges with various faith groups and organizations. We ended the vigil with the clergy leading the assembly in singing, “We Shall Overcome.” I foresee that more of these gatherings and prayer vigils will take place in Columbia and beyond to express ‘righteous indignation’ over what is happening. Our mission compels us to walk alongside the vulnerable and amplify their voices, so that others may hear when their voices are silenced.

Anaclet Mukendi, cicm
Missionary in Guatemala

Introduction: A Mission in Tension

Today, Mission unfolds in a deeply wounded world: armed conflicts, structural poverty, forced migration, ecological crises, discrimination, radical individualism, and loss of spiritual bearings. Confronted with humanity's search for meaning, the Church is called to offer a credible and incarnate hope.

For the missionaries of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM), this Hope takes shape through concrete commitment to Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC). These are not peripheral additions but essential components of proclaiming the Gospel today. They are the prophetic breath of Mission, rooted in faith and oriented toward the transformation of the world.

1. Biblical and Theological Roots of JPIC

The Mission of Jesus is a mission of integral salvation. He proclaims the Good News to the poor, sets captives free, gives sight to the blind, and lifts the outcasts (cf. Luke 4:16 - 21). Through his words and deeds, he heals bodies, raises hearts, denounces social and religious hypocrisy, and calls for profound inner conversion.

Long before, the prophet Isaiah placed justice at the heart of faith: "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause!" (Isaiah 1:17). In Scripture, peace (shalom) is not merely the absence of war, but the fullness of right relationships - with God, with others, and with creation.

Jesus, the Prince of Peace (cf. Isaiah 9:5), dies on the cross as an innocent victim, reconciling a divided humanity. In his footsteps, the Church is called to read the signs of the times and interpret them in light of the Gospel (cf. Gaudium et Spes, no. 4), which compels all believers to engage in transforming structures of injustice.

2. The CICM Mission: JPIC Commitment from the Beginning

From its foundation by Reverend Father Theophile Verbist, the CICM Congregation has always strived to unite the proclamation of the Gospel with the promotion of human dignity. From the early missions in China to its work in Africa, Latin America, and beyond, missionaries have built schools, opened clinics, and defended the fundamental rights of local populations. This incarnate evangelization translates into constant attention to social, economic, political, and ecological realities.

Commitment to Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) is not a peripheral activity nor a responsibility reserved for a few specialists. It is a central and transversal component of our missionary vocation. Every CICM missionary, regardless of ministry or location, is called to integrate this dimension into their way of serving and witnessing to the Gospel (13th General Chapter, Revitalizing Our Identity, p. 21). This calling is explicitly inscribed in the Constitutions of the Congregation: "Our commitment to a more just world urges us to support morally and financially those working for human rights, for justice and peace" (Art. 28.1).

The 13^th General Chapter reaffirms this conviction: "Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) is an integral part of our mission in today's world" (13^th General Chapter, Revitalizing Our Identity, p. 21).

JPIC is thus not a specific domain of action - it is a fundamental evangelical choice, rooted in the spirit of the founder and responsive to contemporary challenges. It is a concrete, credible, and prophetic way of living Mission in the service of transforming the world according to the heart of God.

3. The Urgent Challenges of Our Time Through the Lens of JPIC

a) Social and Economic Injustice

The growing gap between rich and poor reveals a systemic imbalance. While a minority accumulates obscene wealth, the majority struggles to survive. This is not by chance - it stems from deeply unfair economic systems driven by profit, speculation, and exploitation.

Pope Francis denounces in Evangelii Gaudium "an economy that kills" (no. 53). Human beings are subordinated to profit. Against this logic, the Church is called to be a Church of the poor and for the poor - not only to assist but to transform.

In the biblical tradition, God hears the cry of the oppressed (cf. Exodus 3:7). Mission then becomes an act of justice, an instrument of liberation, and a response to that cry.

b) Peace Under Threat

Armed conflicts, ethnic and political violence, religious persecution, and human trafficking ravage entire societies. Often fueled by economic interests and corrupt powers, these situations destroy lives and communities.

To be a missionary today is to become a peacemaker (cf. Matthew 5:9) - not passively, but through courageous commitment: denouncing injustice, promoting dialogue, healing wounded memories, and supporting reconciliation. True peace is always the fruit of justice (cf. Isaiah 32:17). Every Mission faithful to the Gospel must carry this prophetic dimension.

c) The Ecological Emergency

Our common home is in peril due to climate disruption, pollution, deforestation, and species extinction. The cry of the earth echoes the cry of the poor - its first victims.

In Laudato Si', Pope Francis calls for an integral ecology, where social justice, spirituality, and care for creation are interwoven. Protecting nature is honoring the Creator and defending the vulnerable. Thus, the missionary is also guardian of the earth, a sentinel of creation's beauty.

d) Forced Migrations

Humanity has never known such massive displacement: war refugees, climate migrants, economic exiles. These women, men, and children are often stigmatized or exploited. Welcoming the stranger is welcoming Christ himself (cf. Matthew 25:35). In the face of walls, shipwrecks, and inhumane camps, the Church cannot remain silent. Mission becomes hospitality, advocacy, and concrete solidarity.

4. Acting with Hope: The Spirituality and Praxis of JPIC

JPIC engagement is not just another strategy. It is a spiritual response to Christ's call - a way of living the Gospel with Hope. This Hope, far from naive optimism, is rooted in active faith, nourished by prayer, and embodied in concrete struggles.

Inspired by Christ's love for the poor and for creation, JPIC becomes a theological space where God is revealed. It is a prophetic praxis: denouncing injustice, announcing a reconciled world, and calling all to become artisans of Hope.

a) Contemplation of the Poor Christ

Jesus shared the condition of the poor. To contemplate him is to choose to live alongside them in genuine fraternity. The CICM missionary does not come to "help from above," but to walk "with" the people in daily proximity.

b) Analysis of Realities

Charity is not enough. We must understand the roots of injustice. The method see - judge - act, from Catholic social teaching, remains essential. It requires formation, discernment, and community commitment.

c) Closeness to the Poor

Bringing Hope in the Mission means being a living presence among the marginalized. It demands listening, accompaniment, and advocacy. To believe in the dignity of the poor is to believe in their capacity to shape their own future.

d) Education for Peace and Ecology

Mission includes an educational dimension: raising awareness about peace, justice, and ecology. Schools, workshops, retreats, and community projects are all fertile grounds to sow the seeds of a new world.

e) Working in Networks

In the face of complex challenges, we must join forces. Local churches, NGOs, social movements - collaborating increases impact, shares wisdom, and bears witness to unity in diversity.

5. Evangelizing Through Presence and Witness

Mission is not limited to words. It manifests in a life that is generous, simple, fraternal, and close to the poor. This silent yet eloquent witness is a powerful proclamation of the Gospel.

JPIC does not aim to replace public policies but to inspire profound transformation rooted in a lived and coherent faith.

6. Today's Calls: Necessary Conversions

In light of JPIC, several calls arise:

• Personal conversion: Reject complicity with injustice (consumerism, indifference, prejudice).
• Community conversion: Make our missionary communities to be spaces of justice, peace, and care for creation.
• Structural conversion: Reorient our projects, budgets, and priorities based on JPIC values.
• Ongoing formation: Integrate JPIC into both initial and ongoing formation.
• Prophetic engagement: Dare to denounce in the name of the Gospel, even at the cost of rejection.

Conclusion: Hope as Active Resistance

JPIC is not a spiritual extra - it is the living heart of the Gospel in action. Where the world despairs, Mission generates Hope. Where systems oppress, faith liberates. Where the earth groans, the Word recreates.

"Mission is not first about making Christians, but about making the world more human, more fraternal, more just, more beautiful" (Archbishop Oscar Romero).

In the night of our times, CICM missionaries are called to be watchmen of Hope, rooted in Christ, faithful to the Gospel, and committed to the struggle for life.