"The joy of the Gospel is for all people: no one can be excluded" — Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium
They are remembered every day. They are prayed for at Mass, at the Divine Office, during community prayers. Many have died but they are never forgotten. Every day, without fail, whether alive or dead, they are brought before the Lord. In China, in Korea, in Myanmar, in South America or in any of the countries where Columbans live and work, they are remembered. Thousands and thousands of people, most of whom are anonymous, known only to God.
Who are these people? They are the people who helped the Columban missionaries from the earliest days, who down the years prayed for and supported the men and women who were called to go to bring the message of Christ to people of other nations. When the Columbans began in 1918 to do this "mad thing," as Bishop Galvin called it, and go to China to share the faith, the deep missionary spirit in the people was awakened. Hidden in their hearts was a huge desire to tell of Jesus to the multitudes in the East. They sensed, long before Pope Francis voiced it that, "The joy of the gospel is for all people: no one can be excluded." (Evangelii Gaudium)
Their letters then and no less today assured the missionaries of their prayers, of their great interest in how peoples of other cultures and different beliefs are responding to God's word. An article in the Columban Mission magazine, a talk from a returned missionary, a visit to the local school stirs the flame that is already burning in their heart. They might not always realize it, but they are themselves true missionaries. "Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus; we no longer say that we are 'disciples' and 'missionaries', but rather always we are 'missionary disciples.'" (EG120)
In those early days the Columban magazine was known as The Far East and published long lists of the names of people who sent donations to help with the mission. Individuals, families, the young, the old, Sodality groups, parish priests, Sisters from north and south of the country all contributed their pennies and pounds. How many churches did they help to build? How many schools? Who can number the clinics opened? And most of all, how many came to know and love the Lord because of the generous heart of these "ordinary" people?
Today we no longer see those long lists; the benefactors now come from all over the globe, not only in the West but also in those countries where the Columbans sowed and nourished the seed of faith. Despite setbacks, disappointments and failures, despite having, or being forced, to leave their places of mission, God's Kingdom prevails. The spark ignited in 1918 continues to flame out, touching the hearts of many both here at home and overseas.
As we go forward in faith into the next century of mission, Columbans everywhere, with gratitude and great joy thank God for the many, many people whose story is woven into their story. It is the one story, and one we will be telling for a long, long time.
Columban Sr. Redempta Twomey lives and works in Ireland.
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.