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Mission News

Our Lady of Remedies Parish Philippines

Fr. Andrei Paz, a native of the Philippines, is currently on mission at Our Lady of Remedies parish in the Malate district in Manila, Philippines…

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Iquique, Chile

Fr. Martin Koroiciri, a native of Fiji, has been at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Iquique, Chile since November 2022. He is currently working to…

Palana Orphanage

Fr. Rafael Ramirez, a native of Chile, is currently on mission in Myanmar (formerly Burma). He and the students of Palana Orphanage thank Columban…

Children in the mission praying at the Creche — Children at the mission pray at the Creche (Manger)

Jesus is Light!

I like Christmas lights. In many areas around St. Columbans, there are marvelous displays of Christmas lights. When I was missioned in Chile, I enjoyed the lights in what to me was summer weather! No matter the weather, Christmas lights bring a wonderful feel to the whole season.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” Is this our experience? When we see all the confusion and darkness of our world, do we think of Jesus as being the light? What could He mean?

There is the darkness of ignorance, of oppression by others and depression suffered by many. There are many people who have ...

Stories from Columban Missions

Christmas Carol Contest

In the diocese of Carabayllo (Peru) the Christmas carol contest is becoming customary for Christmas holidays. Every parish is invited to…

Christmas cards created by Subanen artists

Celebrate Christmas

The Subanens are an indigenous people whose ancestral habitat is in the mountains of the southern Philippines. Inspired and guided by the Subanen…

The Waiting

Advent is a time to pause, listen and look back on the past year. There is much to ponder. Mother Earth is suffering. There have been droughts and…

A Compassionate Heart

Sister Hilary’s message, given to me many years ago, still influences me. That influence comes alive when I read, or relate, the scene in the…

The Yatsushiro Martyrs

On Sept 8, 1993, in Beppu City on the Island of Kyushu, Our Lady prophesied through Fr. Stefano Gobbi that soon Japan will be a Christian country…

Committed to Serve

I met John Paul when I first arrived in Myitkyina, a diocese in the northern part of Myanmar (formerly Burma). Together with his committee, he…

Meeting Mother Teresa

In the late 1980s I was finishing my studies in Rome. I was not able to engage full time in pastoral work, as I would like, so I worked two hours…

Hot air balloons fly over an ancient city in Myanmar

Hope for Freedom and Equality

“Sir, are you aware of what is happening to our country?” That was the question put to me by my students in Bhamo, my mission place in Myanmar (…

Fr. Troy with the Sisters and visitors at the Hanyang convent

Praying Under the Shadow of an Ancient Ginkgo Tree

November 23 is a special day in the Columban calendar. It is the Feast of St. Columbanus, and it is also the birthday of Columban co-founder,…

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From the Director

Fr. Chris Saenz, U.S. Director — Fr. Chris Saenz

Faith Like a Child

And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, ‘Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.’ And He took them in his arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them. (Mark 10: 32-16)
When I was a seminarian on my first mission assignment in rural Chile, I experienced strong culture shock that caused me…