Many years ago as I began my first missionary journey, I was introduced to Fr Anthony J Gittins’ work: Bread for the Journey. I also was able to meet him a few years later while in the US, in 2001, to discuss the challenges one faces when on mission. He shared various attitudes towards the ‘mission of transformation’ as well the ‘transformation for mission.’ This conversation comes to mind as this month, in the UKI Province, we will celebrate the centenary of our mission in Ireland. One hundred years of ministry in this part of the UK and Ireland Province certainly has been a period of transformation for us and for the parish who received us in Limavady, Northern Ireland, in 1926.
As Gittins rightfully said: “Change is not only a defining characteristic of life but part of Christian theology. We individuals and community are in the process of becoming.” Our first presence in Ireland was for many a process of change and adaptation to a way of life that had to embrace religious and political diversity and challenge.
As we gather to remember those early days of our missionary presence in Ireland, we will be commemorating many Sisters who throughout these years and, with the presence of the community and school in Limavady, found their vocation to follow in their footsteps and the inspiration of Euphrasie Barbier’s vision for mission. For many young women their vocation to our Missionary Congregation included a journey, away from their country of origin, not only to the UK and Europe but to countries beyond normal travel in those times, i.e. Oceania and Asia. They became pilgrims – “as disciples on the road to Emmaus, partially unfulfilled until they recognised Jesus in the breaking of the bread.” These early journeys were of exploration and for us as RNDMs, many of our provinces at that time were born.
We take this opportunity to pray for vocations as Gittins reminds us: “In a world touched by the incarnation, there must be pilgrims, there will always be journeys and the bread will surely be sufficient.” So in thanksgiving for all our missionaries, we pray Psalm 66 to be sung on the Sixth Sunday of Easter:
Let all the earth cry out in Joy to the Lord . . .
proclaim him forever, tremendous his deeds for us.
