| Missionary Society of St. Columban US

Mindful Moment

This week, I return to the simplicity and power of mindful breathing. Whenever I feel stressed, anxious, or scattered, I take a moment to close my eyes and focus on my breath. I inhale deeply, hold for a moment, and then exhale slowly, releasing tension with each breath. I use this simple practice throughout the day as a way to center myself and come back to the present moment. I recognize that my breath is always there to support me, offering calm in the chaos.

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Fall Flowers

Person holds a candle and crucifix during an All Souls' Day remembrance.

Remembrance, Hope and Communion

In the span of two sacred days — All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2) — the Church invites us into a beautiful rhythm of remembrance, hope, and communion.

All Saints’ Day is a celebration of the countless holy men and women — known and unknown — who now rejoice in the presence of God. It reminds us that sainthood is not reserved for the famous or flawless but is the calling of all who live lives of faith, love, and sacrifice. It’s a day of joy, hope, and inspiration as we reflect on the great cloud …

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Stories from Columban Missions

Columban Fr. Bill Brunner

Arts and Culture

Columban Fr. Bill Brunner keeps his eyes open for seashells, which are plentiful in the Ocean State, Rhode Island, where he lives. The Columban…

School children hanging their artwork on the wall.

Inherent Worth

In Pakistan, I work at three shelters, referred to as “hostels,” which provide food, lodging and education to over 100 girls aged seven to twenty…

Community march to support immigrants in the UK

Happy Hallow Eve!

Happy Halloween! The phrase came from the phrase, “Hallow Eve.” “Hallow” is an Old English word that means “holy.” It is just like in the Old…

A building in the Fijian wilderness surrounded by palm trees.

Columban Book Launch in Fiji

Columban Fr. Frank Hoare has been on mission in Fiji for over 50 years. On April 4, 2025, his two books, A Missionary Diary and A World of…

A monarch butterfly resting on yellow sunflowers

Encounter with Life

Mirrihue Alto is a rural town located a little more than three miles from the village of Antuco in the Bio-Bio region of southern Chile. Some of…

Diary - In So Many Words

Art and Religion

Art and religion have been intertwined throughout human history, each influencing and shaping the other in profound ways. At their core, both art…

From the Director

Fr. Al Utzig, U.S. Director

Art and Culture

Art and culture and faith – what a broad topic. And it’s a beautiful topic! As Columban missionaries all of us get to leave our homes and go somewhere else to work, to in some way, share our sense of who Jesus Christ is for us and maybe for those people too. And I have to tell you without exaggeration that whether they mean to or not, they share so very much of their faith through their culture with us too. It reminds me of a New Zealand Columban who was assigned to a small parish on the east coast of Korea in the 1970’s. Being freshly …

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Mission News

Students at the Learning Resource Center

Be a Sponsor of Hope

Despite the risks, Columban Fr. Kurt Zion Pala continues his work with students in war-torn Myanmar (formerly Burma). He is desperately seeking…

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Pope Leo XIV

Columban Missionaries Rejoice in Election of Pope Leo XIV

With gratitude to God, we, the Columban Missionaries, rejoice in the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope, greet him with…

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Pope Frances

In Gratitude and Hope

We, the Columban Missionaries, join our voices with people around the world in expressing our deep gratitude for Pope Francis and the Gospel…

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