Norbert Khonde, cicm
Missionary in Taiwan

On the 22nd of February 2025, the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary celebrated its 70th anniversary of missionary presence in Taiwan. The Archbishop of Taipei, Most Rev. Thomas Chung An-Zu, was invited to preside over the Eucharistic celebration; unfortunately, he was outside of Taiwan on this date. To attest to its communion with the episcopal conference of Taiwan, the CICM District of Taiwan decided to have this Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Emeritus Archbishop of Taipei, Most Rev. John Hung, SVD. Catholics from all the parishes where CICM missionaries work were invited to attend this highly important event. Friends of CICM, benefactors, collaborators, religious from various orders, and many other Christian groups showed up at this thanksgiving festivity. The ICM community was also present. Lots of thanks to their local superior, Sister Regina, for her active involvement. Saint Theresa Parish, one of the first mission stations built by CICM in Taiwan, was selected as the venue for the opening ceremony of this Platinum Jubilee Year. The choir and the altar servers came from Holy Rosary Church, where our confrere Frans De Ridder serves as parish priest. On this special occasion, we decided to make an exposition of books, magazines, and paintings authored by our CICM confreres.

Asia Veritas, a Catholic TV, was there to record the whole event in view of having it published in the diocesan Catholic bulletin and various other media of social communication. By using these powerful tools of our time, we remain faithful to the spirit of Vatican II as depicted in its various documents. The Pastoral Declaration Gravissimum Educationis declares that “the Church esteems highly and seeks to penetrate and ennoble with her own spirit also other aids which belong to the general heritage of man and which are of great influence in forming souls and molding men, such as the media of communication” (Vatican II, 1965, art. 17). Another document of Vatican II, Inter Mirifica, published two years before Gravissimum Educationis, underlines a similar idea. It states that “All the children of the Church should join, without delay and with the greatest effort, in a common work to make effective use of the media of social communication in various apostolic endeavors, as circumstances and conditions demand. They should anticipate harmful developments, especially in regions where more urgent efforts to advance morality and religion are needed” (Vatican II, 1963, art. 13). With these insights in mind, we strongly believe that the broadcasting of our Platinum Jubilee Year is truly one of our many strategies of evangelization.

During this Thanksgiving Mass, Frans de Ridder was asked to say the homily and tell a story about CICM’s history in Taiwan. The content of his homily can be summarized as follows: “Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, peace be with you all. We all know that through the work of our Lord Jesus Christ, people from disparate cultures and upbringings are given a chance to become sons and daughters of God. As the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church continues throughout its history to fulfill this Divine mission. Faithful to his Christian duties, our Founder, Father Theophile Verbist, decided to preach the Good News of the Gospel in China so that the Chinese people may also become members of the Universal Family of God. It is the same Spirit of God that urges us today; it empowers us to continue building up the Kingdom of God in several other parts of the world, such as Formosan Island, where we have been ministering to people these last seventy years. Like our Heavenly Mother, who through her obedience facilitated the incarnation of the Lord, we put ourselves totally at the service of God for the salvation of every human being. We give thanks to God who during these past seventy years has made us worthy to serve in his vineyard for the salvation of many. Our missionary adventure in Taiwan started with four old Belgians in 1955. Now, there are still four other old Belgians who, over the years came as youngsters… and now are surrounded and flanked by young missionaries from DR Congo, the Philippines and Haiti. For some sixty years…I have been part of the 70 years CICM in Taiwan…it was one of the most unforgettable and joy filled experiences of my missionary life. Indeed: grace upon grace. Gratitude is the most beautiful flower of Love. There is whole colorful bouquet of it.”

After this very insightful homily of Frans De Ridder, Willy Ollevier took over the stage to talk about the spirituality of CICM and its applicability in the context of Taiwan (Formosan Island). Willy’s words came be recapitulated as follows: “We missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, like our Father in faith Abraham, are called to leave our countries and minister to people from other cultural upbringing. Seventy years ago, four members of our congregation wholeheartedly responded to this call of God and arrived in Taiwan. They not only build parishes but also several social works such as schools, educational programs for special kids, old people centers, catechetical programs for both children and adults, etc.” Willy concluded his allocution by reminding everyone that the purpose of all these missionary efforts is to give glory to God, whose Kingdom we are called to build here in Taiwan. Apart from the two aforementioned CICM priests, the secretary of the Friend of CICM was also invited to share about the history and social impact of our mission in Taiwan. The concluding speech was given by the District Superior of Taiwan, Norbert Khonde who thanked the assembly and all our collaborators for their active participation, which made this event a success. Let us also mention that the contribution of the Friends of CICM to this event deserves a round of applause. Since young people were also present, we believe this can serve as mission animation for them or at least a rekindling of the fire of faith in their hearts.

After the Eucharistic Celebration, everyone was invited to share a wonderful lunch prepared for the occasion. Regarding this meal, allow me to borrow a paragraph from a reflection by Frans De Ridder: “in a superb weather, all gathered as a family for a most enjoyable meal. Good food, of course! Yet, the atmosphere of joy, friendship, sense of reconnecting, with old friends...children and grandchildren from the pioneering time was wonderful.” Our humble prayer for everyone who, in one way or another, has contributed to the success of this ceremony is stated as follows: “May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Nm 6:24-26). Article 43 of our CICM Constitution states that “The Eucharist has a special place in our lives. When we celebrate the Eucharist, we proclaim the death and resurrection of Christ and the coming of the Kingdom, where all will be brothers and sisters in him. We also celebrate the Eucharist in communion with the joys, hopes, sufferings, and struggles of the people with whom we live.”

Throughout this year, 2025, there will be other activities that will be organized by the missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in line with this platinum jubilee year. Let us also be reminded that 2025 has been named by Pope Francis as a Jubilee Year with the theme of Pilgrims of Hope. As a way of commemorating it, the Universal Church has set a schedule of major events to be celebrated both in Rome and around the world. As part of the Universal Church, the CICM District of Taiwan is looking forward to organizing all its activities throughout this “Platinum Jubilee Year” in accordance with the theme of Pilgrims of Hope.

The particular themes during the Jubilee Year 2025, highlighted by the Holy See, serve as guidelines as we commemorate the 70 years of our missionary presence in Formosa. We pray that true hope, which is a gift from the Holy Spirit, may be granted to every human being throughout this Jubilee Year. The Sacred Scriptures remind us that “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom 5: 5-6). To God be the glory yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever. Amen! The closing ceremony of this CICM Platinum Jubilee in Taiwan will take place this coming November 2025. The exact date and place will be communicated in due time. May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all; stay safe and always keep hope alive.

Jonel Dalimag, cicm
Missionary in the Philippines

The Missionary Daring is an Essential Aspect of our Missionary Presence.

"Wherever a missionary presence is needed most, especially where the Gospel is not known or lived, the CICM dares to go!" This CICM mission statement sparked my interest in joining. This phrase was a key recruitment slogan of the CICM-Philippines, appearing on calendars, T-shirts, posters, and cards. It reflects the Congregation's dedication to sharing the Good News, especially among those who have not heard of it, as emphasized in its Constitutions: "We are sent to the nations (ad gentes) to share the Good News wherever our missionary presence is needed most” (Art. 2). This missionary daring makes our missionary presence uniquely CICM. It identifies us as CICM religious missionaries, and leads us to act accordingly; thereby, differentiating us from our diocesan counterparts and religious missionaries of other orders and congregations.

During our CICM District of the Baguio-La Union Discernment Meeting, we reflected on the theme of Missionary Presence in preparation for upcoming personnel transfers and appointments. While initially focused on transitions, our discussions deepened our understanding of our missionary identity and presence.

The discussion took off from the principle of Fraternal Dialogue, which should be established before any new appointments. I emphasized that we are in a period of TRANSITION, where preparation is key. This preparation involves Fraternal Dialogue between the appointing authority and the confreres. The Vow of Obedience requires mutual trust, considering individual talents and the needs of the Congregation. Article 31 of the CICM Constitutions states that obedience involves continuous discernment of the Lord's calling, highlighting our co-responsibility for the mission. Both Fraternal Dialogue and Mutual Trust are essential aspects of CICM religious life, as reinforced by Articles 83 and 85.

Article 83 emphasizes our collective co-responsibility for the Institute's mission and the importance of dialogue and participation at all levels. Article 85 highlights that significant decisions regarding individuals should be made through dialogue between the competent Superiors and the confreres involved. These principles prompted deep reflection among District members, with one confrere sharing that he declined an appointment due to concerns that the appointing Superior was unfamiliar with his skills, challenges, and aspirations.

As reflections unfold, themes of vision, aspirations, and shared goals emerge alongside the issue of the quality of missionary presence. The Retired but Extremely Dedicated (RED) missionaries shared their experiences, highlighting how their presence exemplified reaching out and stepping beyond comfort zones in line with the missionary essence of Ad Extra. However, they expressed concern that young confreres focus too much on sacraments and rituals, neglecting the true missionary aspect of their calling.

Alejandro A. Ulpindo, a longtime missionary in the Dominican Republic, shared the following as his response to my challenge for the RED to inspire the young:

Missionary Animation

“The Bishop of San Francisco de Macoris invited the CICM to engage in missionary animation in his diocese. We accepted the San Isidro Parish in Castillo as our base, where the bishop stated, "I want San Isidro Labrador de Castillo to be the focus of missionary animation for the whole diocese," later appointing me as the diocesan coordinator for the mission.

I visited all 48 parishes and engaged with their priests, noting resistance to mission animation. Many believe that since we are all missionaries, there's no need for extra effort. While they are correct about the importance of physical presence, it is insufficient. Missionary presence means reaching out joyfully to those in need, especially where the Gospel is unknown. We must go beyond sacraments and rituals to energize local Churches for the universal mission. As CICM missionaries, we have a role in promoting global solidarity among particular Churches. Ultimately, we must act locally while thinking globally.

Missionary Presence in the Local Church

I continued the missionary animation in more concrete ways. For instance, I formed a Diocesan Missionary Animation team. I continued my visit and invited the leaders to participate. After nine long years of animation, the dream came true. From 15 parishes, 15 animators formed the core team of the diocesan mission animation team.

Today, the diocesan team continues to do the missionary animation, and five of them were sent to other countries in Latin America to share their experiences. We set up a bank account for them to continue their mission. Though I am not there, the work continues.

A Missionary Parish

I animated our parish and formed a Parish Mission Animation team of 25 people, including representatives from the center and barrios. They created the "Ninos y Ninas Missioneros" group, which educates children on the Church's universal dimension. They visit schools, inviting children to research different countries, focusing on people's situations, songs, and costumes. They present their findings through drama at assemblies organized for them. They continue to promote awareness of the universal mission.

Mission outside the Box (Missio Ad Gentes, Inter-Gentes, Ad extra)

I was also a parish priest for many years. I followed faithfully the demands of the Church according to canon law. I celebrated the Holy Eucharist and administered the sacrament. Preach the good news. I comply with the demands of governing, sanctifying, and teaching.  As I comply with all these, I also dedicate much time to forming lay leaders. Sometimes, I get out of the box and celebrate the Mass in the 'altars' of human peripheries in places where the Gospel is not known, preached, and lived.

One day, with the leaders, we decided to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in the river that crosses the town of Castillo, where I was parish priest. The river was so polluted and very dirty because the people threw everything there. One can see all the strange things floating in the river—that day of the celebration. I told the people that our altar today is the river, and we watch how it looks now.  All had the chance to express what they saw. As an act of contrition, I challenged the people to ask pardon because we have destroyed the river. By destroying it, we also destroy our and the next generations' lives. We resolved to clean the river and plant trees at the riverbank. We formed a committee for the cleaning of the river and also a committee to take care of the plants that will grow.  When I left, many trees were on the river bank.

Another experience was converting a dumpsite into a garden: A Garbage to Garden Project

In one of the barrios of the center called Puerto Rico, there is a dump site. Many people were gathered to attend Mass at this dump site. Everybody has their handkerchief in their mouth. There was a foul odor. I asked them to remove their handkerchief from their mouths and noses, smell and breathe the air, and see and feel the difference between attending Mass in a beautiful, fragrant church and the altar at the dump site. This is our own making. We threw all the dirt here, and it accumulated over time. It is time to see our responsibility and accept our sins against nature, against the beautiful creation. We had time for an examination of conscience. Now that we have received our responsibility, we will ask ourselves how to concretize it. Can we make this place beautiful again?

After the Mass, the people said, we go in procession to the Municipal Hall and demand the mayor to send bulldozers to clean that whole mess. We did this, and the mayor was very open and helpful.  He sent a brigade, and in a day, it was clean.  In the meantime, we formed teams to plant trees and flowers and also a team to watch over the cleanliness of the place.  When I left, the dump site had turned into a garden.  And the people enjoyed the fresh air again.”

My initial goal was for the RED and veterans among us to share lessons, wisdom, and advice that could guide and be used by the appointing authority in their decision processes towards the new appointments for the next 3 years. However, it was a profound exchange of reflection among all the participants. Our sharing confirmed what was already reflected and written in 1981, which states:

"The crucial element of our CICM missionary identity is to "go beyond" wherever we are, NOT TO SETTLE DOWN. A genuine missionary spirit requires attitudes of availability and integration… Mission is everywhere and a missionary makes himself always available. For us CICM missionaries, it is typical to cross barriers to express this availability. Our concern is for the continuous growth of the local churches, but we are ever conscious of the growth of the temporary character of our presence. Aware of the worldwide responsibility to the mission, we are willing to leave behind personal and group-acquired securities and to live in solidarity with the needy, abandoned, and oppressed." [CICM Missionary Presence, Acts of the 9th General Chapter (Rome: 1981), pp. 10-12].

Applying Art. 3 of the CICM Constitutions, which states that, "We regularly question ourselves about the tasks we undertake. We willingly adopt the reorientations deemed necessary", we put ourselves under the microscope to see whether we are still worthy of being called 'missionaries' This reminds us of the 15th General Chapter of the Institute wherein the capitulants lamented the many obstacles that prevent the Congregation from realizing its dream:

"The maintenance of long-established congregational structures and long-standing commitments hinder us in "letting go," to respond to more urgent missionary challenges. We feel very much at home in our comfort zone and we fear change. The loss of "pioneering spirit" is a major obstacle to starting something new. The lack of animation and encouragement for our leaders may lead us to stagnation and stifle our creativity."

And, of course, a musing on CICM missionary presence and its challenges will not be complete without referencing the Kindling the Fire of 1974, my favorite CICM document. I shared a long reflection from this document, but for this purpose, let me share these few quotes:

"An essential attitude of the missionary is that of NEVER WANTING TO INSTALL HIMSELF DEFINITIVELY" (KF,153).

After all, we are reminded that "Our commitments retain a temporary character. This keeps us available to respond to other missionary challenges." Art. 10, CICM Const.)

"The missionary who easily accepts the idea of being replaced finds his happiness in being at the disposal of others. He rejoices to see others take over his works. He retains enough flexibility to give himself to another task with the same generosity. Another important attitude is being able to integrate fully in a new milieu, where the missionary is offered the occasion to grow and be inspired by values unknown to him."

Pierre Muamba T., cicm
Missionary in DR Congo

A Spiritual Experience

Looking back at our Congregation from its origins, I realized that we are missionaries and pilgrims proclaiming Hope. Stepping out from the office to commit ourselves to the service of human beings, created in the image of God for the sake of their given dignity, could only be the result of profound discernment in the light of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. It is a spiritual experience that inspires a praxis.

We Receive One Another from God: the God of Life in Jesus Christ.

We receive one another from God and are a gift of the Holy Spirit to the world. "It was not you who chose me; it was I who chose you, appointed you and sent you..." (Jn 15:16ff) Since our founder, each of us has welcomed the mission as his destiny and has begun to fulfill himself by accomplishing this mission of being pilgrims proclaiming the Father's Love for the little ones with whom Jesus, the Father's Pilgrim, identifies himself. "We are sent to the nations to proclaim the Good News where our missionary presence is most needed, especially where the Gospel is not known or lived." (Const. Art.2) This is what makes us Pilgrims of Hope.

From Different Corners of the World

Like a people on a journey, since our origins and under the guidance of the Spirit of the Father, with Theophile Verbist and his companions, we welcome one another as a "mutual gift." We discover "hope in one another" for this great pilgrimage of Hope for the Kingdom in the universal brotherhood we want to sow along the way. "We leave our country to proclaim salvation as the great gift of God that frees us from all oppression and division. Following Jesus, we preferentially address the poor, the privileged recipients of the Kingdom of God. As religious missionaries of different races and cultures, we live and work together as brothers. "One heart and one soul," we bear witness to the universal brotherhood in Christ desired by the Father." (Const. Art. 2)

In View of Giving Hope

Leaving, departing, and marching together on the road of Hope means rediscovering the strength of solidarity and diversity for the cause of the human person, the image of God, and specifically the oppressed and impoverished people. To set out, leave, and walk, one must be animated by Hope, which is the basis of all organization and all mobilization to work with the least among us to conquer freedom.

Called to Walk Together Towards the Other

The awareness of being on a journey together, with the ambiguities of our responses and our concessions, demands conversion to see the Master in our fellow man, like Peter, at the crowing of the cock on the evening of the denial. (Jn 18:25-27; Mt 26:71-75; Mk 14:69-72; Lk 22:58-62). We must be able to confess our denials, our slowing down of the march, our distractions, and our refusal to welcome and even forgive ourselves. Indeed, it is not easy to see a fellow brother who falls for reasons of weakness or a poorly managed relationship and is judged by his "brother" to be "corrupt, impure, unbearable, unapproachable!" We fall into this trial without seeing the beam in our own eye! (Lk 6:42) The awareness of being on a journey then reveals our blindness to us. It is by opening ourselves to the one who forgives us, without waiting to be asked for forgiveness, that we know how to start walking again in trust - abandonment to the Lord who gives us the audacity to dare again and again, convinced that the Kingdom is yet to be built. Here we join our little Doctor of the Church, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who knew, like a little bird in search of its shining star, falling into distraction and in search of little earthworms, confesses, at the appearance of her Star (Jesus) her distractions in order to resume her flight. (Ms B. 68-70)

Listening to the Inner Host, Allowing to Share a Few Secrets

Remain in Hope. When I had to agree to go elsewhere, to change my mission, from a sabbatical in Barcelona to a rural mission in Kasayi in Cilomba, one of those friends who did not judge our life in the light of faith challenged me: "But Pedro, what are you going to do in that village, it's not possible!" And a confrere who is no longer with us today in the missionary venture reprimanded me, saying, "You don't have to accept everything!" I realized that it is difficult to go out, walk, and respond to the command (Mk 16:15) without being present to oneself, to live from within, and to discover new depths of life in a journey of Hope! I understood that I had to insert myself into the dynamic of presence with great courage and inner freedom, listening attentively to God walking by my side. (Ps 127; 131) For the one who calls, who sends, is the one who invites us to walk. He is with us on the way, he goes before us in the mission, and he has a message to be faithfully transmitted: the Hope of the Kingdom to the whole world, with a preference for the least and the last in history. After a silence, I replied that Jesus had gone before me for centuries and that I was going to meet my brothers and sisters. (Galatians 3:26-28)

Hope Refuses Discouragement. Today, I am the Director of Radio Maria Kananga station. A mission ad gentes, because it goes beyond the limits of dioceses and countries. I found a Radio station that was almost dying, with a resigned team and a debt-ridden structure. In the milieu, I sensed resistance and even open refusal by certain secular priests to accept me without knowing me and to welcome the Radio into their parishes because of their past with those who managed the Radio before me. God loves us; it is the work of Mother Mary in her Immaculate Heart, and she will not let it down. Faith in Divine Providence, love of the Blessed Virgin Mary, love of the mission: these are what sustain and underpin our Hope with our new team. The fig tree must be allowed to grow. (Lk 13:8-9) Hope makes us grow. With perseverance, tenacity, and humility, change is emerging. We must let things grow and have the patience of the sower. Now we are happy; this is the law of progress in Hope.

Having the Courage to Self-decenter

"We leave...", we go out, we leave, we walk together in Hope, 'we participate in the same collective commitment' (Const. Art 3). Leaving becomes a call to a "deeper departure": leaving behind our ambiguities and our concessions. It is a call to self-decentering, to stop seeing ourselves as the center of history, a call to move from the edges to the depths. It is the “Duc in altum” (Lk 5:1-11). In fact, I realized once again that God has never varied or changed in his relationship with humanity on the way; it is we who vary in our relationship with Him.

The Need to have a Personal Experience of Jesus Christ

Walking in Hope and remaining happy on this journey requires that I have a certain practical and empathetic knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is a knowledge that is never complete and an always incomplete result of a personal, dialogical, and loving encounter with a personal, relational, transcendent, and communicative God. In this experience, I can live the experience of Abraham, Moses, and Mary with the eyes of faith, in the inner gaze. It is being able to experience the contemplation of the Other in the Eucharist, in the Blessed Sacrament, in the Word, in the mysteries of the Rosary, and at the same time in the poor, in social asymmetries, in the least in history, which he transcends.

Living in a Permanent Presence

There is a presence that permanently makes possible (Lk 1:37), precedes and accompanies the exodus of humanity, of the Church, of every person of faith, despite the unforeseen events and risks along the way. It is an encounter that changes and disrupts not only the pilgrim's initial vision of himself, of the realities of the world, of the events of history and of his own life but also of his way of being in everyday life and of relating to everything. This encounter is the beginning of a never-ending apprenticeship in living, feeling, and deciding to be a convert. Has God passed through your life? This is the condition for joining the March of Hope and in Hope. Here is a permanently open and ever-new horizon of an interminable journey: the mystery of God is deeper and more unfathomable, and his thoughts are beyond penetration. (Is 55:6ff)

To Walk in Hope is to Refuse to Seek the Living among the Dead.

A colleague who has experienced the power of Hope tells me the following: "For several years, I held a senior position. From one day to the next, I found myself at the bottom of the ladder, forced to flee the gaze of others. During those years of moral and psychological suffering, when I was considered a leper, I kept my faith; I never lost Hope of seeing a new day dawn. In fact, when, because of the vicissitudes of life and the difficulties on the path of the mission, one seems to experience a thrill when meeting the gaze of others, even sensing one's death, by living in Hope, there is a tomorrow for those who love God. A tomorrow that sings and cries out is a better tomorrow for one's brothers and sisters, the Church, and oneself. The material notion of time corrects, washes, and regenerates. When we live in Hope, we have the conviction that one day, we will reach the end of the tunnel and come out humble and victorious with the One who lives in us and is stronger than us: Jesus Christ. It's like Mandela, who came out of prison as a president! We must believe in tomorrow with God at the service of our brothers and sisters, without shutting ourselves off or imprisoning ourselves in our past, but learning from the past to live the present joyfully, healing wounds and looking forward to the future with Hope. So we must stop looking at ourselves more than Jesus incarnate in the little ones, risen and victorious. The continuation of the pilgrimage with Jesus becomes the joyful possibility of the impossible."

The Urgency of Missionary Communities of Hope

We need these communities of missionaries and pilgrims of Hope who know how to celebrate their Hope because they have the experience of the Risen One and sing and perform the songs of the final celebration of triumph along the way. Its members learn to accept one another as sinners called to constant conversion, who leave the ego behind, overcome the deadlock of false solidarities built on human calculations, and desire the impetus that leads to true solidarity. The Spirit guides the journey of growth and hope that only the Risen One can give. We need communities, seeds of Hope for humanity in the final stages of history, committed to building a more just and fraternal world that renounces any manipulative and selfish pace that denigrates the human person, who is the image of God.

With the Mother of the Way, the Mother of the Incarnate Word

CICM, we are sons of Mary. However, she is not automatically given to us! It is when we discover the place of the Mother of the Incarnate Word, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the "Way," Mother of the "Bread of Life," that we are able to turn to her so that she may initiate us and teach us to become true disciples and pilgrims of Hope. She carried him in her womb, nourished and brought him into the world, and remained his companion on the mission and his disciple. She believed, and her joy became action to change the course of history.

Mother of the "Bread of Life," pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. (Const. Art. 16)

Antonius Harnoko, cicm
Missionary in Japan

Last January, during my Taiwan Period, I felt the urge to take a refreshing day off. I wandered into the National Taiwan Museum (NTM), which is elegantly nestled within the peaceful surroundings of the 228 Peace Memorial Park—a tranquil oasis just a short stroll from our Provincial House in the vibrant core of Taipei. The NTM, which has been a beacon of Taiwan's cultural heritage since its establishment in 1908, is the oldest museum in the country, and entering its grand halls felt like stepping into a time capsule. As I traversed the spacious galleries, a sense of wonder enveloped me as I encountered a captivating array of exhibits. The archaeological treasures and vibrant cultural displays spoke volumes about Taiwan's multifaceted history, intricately intertwined with the broader Asian narrative. The influence of neighboring nations such as the Philippines and Indonesia echoed through the artifacts, creating a chorus of stories that constituted Taiwan's identity. As I leisurely wandered from display to display, a modest placard drew my attention, discreetly positioned in a quiet corner of the museum. It bore the elegant Chinese characters 過去的未來, translating to "the past is the future." The message struck a deep chord within me, sparking a profound reflection. Museums serve as gateways into the past, guiding us through historical corridors and compelling us to reflect on our present state and envision our future possibilities. I stood in silence for several moments, absorbing the placard's depth and allowing its wisdom to wash over me. It is so simple, yet so deep.

As the calendar turned to 2025, I found myself fully engaged in a collaborative effort alongside my Provincial Government members, reviewing and updating our Provincial Statutes. This meticulous task required us to delve deeply into the rich tapestry of our own CICM (Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) and Church documents. It revealed their inherent complexity and depth. Contributions from confreres across various districts and communities infused new perspectives, transforming our documents into dynamic records of our enduring tradition and mission.

In reflecting on our collective journey, it's easy for those of us who publicly embrace religious life to overlook the sacred duty of engaging with the Bible and our foundational documents. These cherished texts are often relegated to dusty shelves, untouched and forgotten. A lingering misconception prevails: our relationship with these documents concludes upon professing our Perpetual Vows and ordination. Yet, the vibrant life of Jesus depicted in the Gospels, the wisdom shared by our forebearers, and the best practices enshrined in our foundational texts yearn to be revisited and absorbed as part of our spiritual journey.

From February 19 to 27, I had the wonderful moment to participate in a collaborative training session for the Provincial Government of RP and ASI. This event was guided by our Superior General, Fr. Charles Phukuta, alongside Fr. Peter Koh, our Finance representative. Set against the tranquil backdrop of Maryshore in Bacolod City, the seven days were filled with enriching dialogues. We engaged deeply with the wealth contained within our CICM documents, and the diversity of discussions, paired with candid sharing from each confrere, transformed our study into a profound journey of mutual discovery. Throughout the week, I was struck by the revelation that revisiting our history through the lens of these documents was not merely an academic exercise; it became a sacred act of spiritual and evangelical renewal, reaffirming our identity as religious missionaries. The more I immersed myself in the texts and absorbed the experiences shared by my confreres—moments of joy intermingled with challenges—the more empowered I felt to move forward despite my own feelings of inadequacy.

One of my most cherished Gospel narratives is the Emmaus experience. In the story, as the disciples embark on their journey back home, the intense presence of Jesus, along with His affirming words, illuminated their path, even during their darkest moments. Their struggles became catalysts for enlightenment, urging them to persevere with renewed hope. I realized that our past does not need to become a lifeless museum of regret. Instead, revisiting our history can pave the way for embracing the new possibilities that lie ahead. The Emmaus experience truly embodies the essence of this Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope.

As we embark on a new chapter with a fresh Provincial Government in the Province of Asia, I find myself reflecting once more on the wisdom encapsulated in that small placard at the NTM. Accompanying these thoughts is a silent prayer of gratitude. I am profoundly thankful to God for the countless blessings of the past years. Each experience, whether meticulously documented or lingering in the warmth of memory, provides invaluable insights that shape our present reflections and aspirations for the future. Indeed, our hope flourishes in a perspective that views the past as a guiding light, illuminating the paths that lie before us.