Seek first the Kingdom of God and the rest will be added on to you…
One of the presumed thoughts that always come to mind is that travel is for leisure, vacation or recreation. With regards to us, we were aware that this was not the case; our trip was to be something more meaningful. But what was similar about our travel is that we felt the same excitement just like one embark on a very exciting trip. Our excitement was about the culture, food, places, people and etc. But most of all, it was based on our purpose as religious brothers and clerics: to be with the African priests and brothers of the Order, to experience their pastoral works, and to visit the houses of the Order in Africa as well. Aside from the excitement, there were also questions of what would happen during our short visit, such as, “are we able to adjust to their culture food, places, people and some other concerns?”
I found great inspiration in the words inscribed on the heart of our St. Francis Caracciolo “Zelus domus tuae comedit me (Zeal for your house consumes me)”. These words speak not only about the zeal of St. Francis for the Eucharistic Lord but his zeal for the works of the Order. It is a blessing for us to embrace the new apostolate. As part of our religious formation, it is a grace to have had the chance to be with our fellow confreres in Nairobi and D.R. Congo and to be in the houses of formation and to engage ourselves in some of their mission parishes, pastoral activities, orphanages, schools, hospitals, parish communities and other pastoral ministries.
During the two months of our pastoral program in Africa, I will never forget how welcoming and hospitable they were. I witnessed how they welcomed the Father General, Fr. Ted, the former Father General, Fr. Rafaelle, their companion Fr. Norbert, Fr. Jun and the three of us as well from the Philippines.
When we arrived, the choirs were singing, there were dancers, students, teachers and close friends organized by the Fathers and Brothers. During dinner, good food was served while we enjoyed the program. Food was not a problem during our stay. Most of the vegetables and livestock are the same in the Philippines because it is a tropical country. The only food that was new to us was the “Ugali” a dough like bread made of cassava flour.
I really appreciated the welcome and greetings of the people. They were very approachable. Every person I met greeted me “Jambo, Habari” (Hello, how are you?). One of our experiences was to visit the orphanage founded by Fr. Paolo DiNardo. I could see in the faces of the children their happiness when they received visitors. The same smiles of every child we met in our missions was always present. Although they did not speak English, they still greeted us with “Jambo” and called us “mosungo” white man.
I cannot finish this without mentioning the place where I spent almost one month in Congo, namely in the nine years old parish of The Most Blessed Sacrament, Kamoleon the island of Idjwi (North Idjwi). I saw the island as a serene and a peaceful place. The inhabitants, just like any other people in Goma, welcomed you with their greetings (they speak Kehavu the local dialect). One of the struggles in Kamole was the road which most of the time caused accidents because of mud during rainy season and they are not also spared during the dry season because of lack of water. Despite this problem, the local dwellers are blessed with farmland in the rich mountains and hills of the Island and fish in lake Kivu.
One thing that also amazed me in some communities we visited was the love of people towards our confreres and how the presence and love of our Fathers changed the life of the people. There were people who helped in some house and parish duties. It is also good to look back during the visit of the Father General and the thanksgiving Mass of the four newly ordained priests. The whole parish was busy for different tasks, there were parishioners who helped in cleaning, assigned for cooking, preparing foods, decorationandthe program. Therewere also people who helped by giving live goats and turkeys, banana, some fruits, financial needs and other items. Some religious nuns and diocesan priests from the island also participated in the celebration.
All my experience could not be complete without the people in my parish exposure: Fr. Blaise, Fr. Seraphin, Fr. Dismas and Br. Janvier. And during our two months of stay in Africa, my gratitude also goes to: Fr. Faustin the Superior Delegate, all the Priest, Brothers and seminarians in the African Delegation especially in all their missions in D.R. Congo. Their dedication in the mission calls to mind not only worthy experiences but most of all their way of life in the mission which always presents a good example. I am very happy that I witnessed the seed which the first Italian Fathers in our Order planted, that now it is continuously growing and fruitfully bringing good fruits.
I was truly blessed to be with the spiritual sons of St. Francis Carraciolo in Africa, the “Caracciolini”. Being sent on a mission is very challenging. I feel in some way what it is like as a missionary who was sent to a foreign mission. Yes, at first, I was really worried, just like the disbelief in Matthew 6:31-33; “What are we to eat? Or what are we to drink? Or what are we to wear? All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given you besides”. A great call to think about! I know that it was just a beginning of the real religious life I am journeying. There will be more time for me to go outside my comfort zone which needs some adjustments along the way. It is something more about food to eat, what am I to drink, what am I to wear, or the desire for conveniences in life or in more complicated circumstances in the religious life. Jesus’ assurance that he will not abandon us, as we are called to live the faith in Him alone is a great blessing. This is a good reminder in my religious life in times of difficulties, trials and temptations to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness as my first priority in every place, in every difficulty, in every situation.
I now consider and realize more clearly that the kingdom of God is wherever I am sent and it is to be made visible to the people around me. As an Adorno brother and cleric, I am called to be a witness of this heavenly kingdom always for the greater glory of the rising Christ. St. Francis Caracciolo is for us the illustrious model for us to imitate, from Eucharistic sacrifice and adoration, serving the poor to administering the sacraments for the building of the kingdom of God here on earth. The Clerics Regular Minor makes himself available for God, for the Order and for the people. In a grand way, he sees the kingdom of God and his righteousness and that his heart was burning with the words “Zeal for your house consumes me”.
Br. Xyril Umerez, CRM