On January 18, 2025, twelve Columban missionaries representing different countries gathered in Hong Kong for a Columban Formation Committee meeting. We had a guest speaker from China, Sr. M., who spoke to the group of the joys and challenges as she journeyed to form a contemplative order in China. The following poem is based on her experiences. To protect Sr. M.’s identity, her name and location have been deliberately omitted.
Given the opportunity to study abroad,
she left her familiar surroundings for a land different from hers.
New sounds, new sights, new faces, new culture.
Transitions are neither easy nor smooth
but faced with faith, she journeyed on.
Classes started and she found a community in which she grew
in faith, friendship and love.
In the spirit of the Augustinians, she grew in grace and faith
undeterred by the struggles that faced her in and out of the classroom.
She heard another call.
“Return home.” It was a desire, but to do what.
To leave a community that was safe, loving, and welcoming
only to return to uncertainty, no community, no support:
Fear sets in and doubts creep into the soul.
“Be Not Afraid.”
In prayer and consultation, she sought advice,
hearing the voice of God expressed via others
fear had no place in her life, “Love casts out all fear.”
Certain of her call, she returns to the difficulties
that await her in China.
Landing first in Hong Kong greeted by a woman of faith who hosts her stay
she ponders the steps needed to accomplish this call.
her first miracle received
the sharing of her story to this new friend
opens the heart and a gift presented.
Gift enough to buy land upon which to build the dream.
a bishop sympathetic to the dream, hope and faith led to her second miracle.
The mission had begun and the problems followed.
Bureaucracy’s complex system spins a web that entangles every effort
New tactics are needed to go forth.
“Building for religious purposes not permitted,”
a simple county clerk reveals tactics lead to her third miracle
“Apply for that which is permissible”
A chicken farm is born, not quite what was once imagined
But it is a beginning
Seasons change as do bureaucratic laws
chicken farm slowly evolves into a care facility for the elderly
Acceptable by law and provides for the needs of a new community
of women called to prayer and faith her fourth miracle
more women now living out faith in sometimes difficult circumstances;
Miracles continue:
They have found tactics to share their faith
often against strategies of governmental agencies
providing joy, fellowship, and faith in the strangest of settings:
often restrained by systems, faith continues to grow
yet in lands of religious freedoms, churches go empty.
Inspired by the life of this one woman,
Our hearts opened to her joy, her peace and her strength in God.
We understood more deeply the expression of the Chinese characters:
to open one’s heart and that is a miracle!
Columban Fr. George DaRoza lives and works in the U.S.
