BROTHERS CMM

BROTHERS CMM
1/13
| THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY | MISSIONARY SERVICE
CENTRE TILBURG | ‘NATIONAL YOUTH DAYS’ |
HUMBERTO WOUTERS | OPENING POLICLINIC
| DON BOSCO SCHOOLS | PROFESSION FOR LIFE

CONTENTS
COLUMN FROM THE
CONCERNING
BROTHER ANDREAS
SUPERIOR GENERAL 4 5
MISSION STATEMENT
Mercy belongs to all times and places.
Mercy is at the centre of all world religions:
Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity
and Islam.
The movement of mercy has left traces
throughout history.
The various forms in which mercy appears,
are expressions of the society in which it arose,
and of the spirituality that carries it.
The Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady,
Mother of Mercy, is rooted in Christian mercy.
COLOPHON
Brothers CMM {formerly Ontmoetingen (Encounters)}
is a quarterly publication of the Congregation of the
Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy (Brothers CMM).
A subscription is free of charge (available on request at
the address below). ISSN 1877-6256
Editorial Board: Mr. Rien Vissers (editor in chief),
Br. Edward Gresnigt, Br. Ad de Kok, Br. Lawrence Obiko,
Br. Ronald Randang, Br. Jan Smits, Mr. Peter van Zoest
(executive editor)
Translation: Mr. Bas van Alphen, Br. Edward Gresnigt,
Mr. Peter Huybers, Fr. Jan van der Kaa AA,
Mr. Tony Verhallen
Original design and layout: Heldergroen
www.heldergroen.nl
Printing: Franciscan Kolbe Press, Limuru, Kenya,
press@ofmconvkenya.org
Contact: Brothers CMM, Rhapta Road, P.O.Box 14916
Nairobi, Westlands 00800, Kenya
E-mail: magazine@cmmbrothers.nl
Website: www.cmmbrothers.org
A voluntary contribution to meet the costs of
the magazine is appreciated: ING Bank Account
106 85 17 for Fraters CMM Tilburg.
For international transfer, please use:
IBAN: NL30INGB0001068517
BIC: INGBNL2A
The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt
Photograph front cover: Bishop Ludovikus Simanullang
OFMCap from Sibolga opens the policlinic ‘St. Lukas’ in
Aek Tolang, Indonesia, by cutting a ribbon (see page 16).
Photograph back cover: The ‘Dancing House’ in Prague.
Designed by Czech Republic architect Vlado Miluni and
Canadian architect Frank Gehry (photo: Br. Ad de Kok).
2

THIRD GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
MISSIONARY
6 SERVICE CENTRE 8 ‘NATIONAL YOUTH DAYS’
11
EDITORIAL
Mercy performs miracles. This is evident in the
Gospel. It is also evident in the work of the
Brothers CMM who consider mercy of paramount
importance. And then suddenly, ‘like a miracle’
there is a new pope who radiates mercy in all he
does. The Argentinean Cardinal Jorge Mario
Bergoglio is chosen on March 13, 2013, as the
265th successor of Peter and chooses the name
Francis. In the footsteps of the saint from Assisi
he calls on the Church to become poor and to
mercifully choose the side of the poor. The
worldwide movement of mercy has a new ally in
the heart of the Church. “For me, and I say that
in all modesty, mercy is the most powerful
message of the Lord”, he said in a sermon in his
first Sunday Mass as pope on March 17, in a
Vatican parish church. Following this, in his
Angelus address on St. Peter’s Square he called
mercy “the face of God”, and added: “God never
stops forgiving. Mercy makes the world less cold.”
It is no coincidence that the new section on page
23 in this edition of Brothers CMM revolves
around ... mercy. ‘His grace is near’, is the title,
borrowed from the Rule of Life of the brothers.
For three volumes of this magazine, Brother
Harrie van Geene, at this place, took the readers
along to the ‘sources’ in the writings of Joannes
Zwijsen, founder of the Congregation of the
Brothers CMM. Starting with the first edition of
this year, Brother Wim Verschuren will reflect on
lesser known aspects of mercy.
Humberto
Wouters
OPENING
POLICLINIC
PROFESSION
FOR LIFE
14
16
DON BOSCO
SCHOOLS
17
19 NEWS IN BRIEF 20
In Memoriam
22
‘HIS GRACE
IS NEAR’
23
3

Column
FROM THE SUPERIOR GENERAL
On Saturday, March 2, the ‘Regional Group of Mercy’ of Tilburg held a meeting. Inside the national
Movement of Mercy there is a number of ‘regional groups’ that are active in providing opportunities
for people to more intensively reflect on what the real meaning of mercy is and how to manifest that
in one’s life. I try as much as possible to participate in those meetings. We as Brothers of Our Lady,
Mother of Mercy, consider mercy of paramount importance, an ideal that we try giving shape to in our
community and in our work, an effort that we succeed at with trial and error!
That Saturday in Tilburg was about being merciful
to yourself. The premise was that you can’t be merciful
to others if you can’t be merciful to yourself.
A provocative position. From the past we get the
notion that we have to efface ourselves, that we have
to sacrifice ourselves and to give ourselves completely
to our neighbours. It is true that a lot of good came
from that, but it concealed a great danger: that one
forgot oneself and neglected the care of one’s own
soul. Mercy became a mere duty from which the
heart had vanished. And in the case of real mercy
what matters most is the movement of the heart. We
listened to the song by Trijntje Oosterhuis: ‘Do you
know me? Who then do you know?’ When I heard that
‘you’ I spontaneously thought about God and I drew a
parallel with that wonderful Psalm 139: “Search now
my heart o God, and know me, test me and know what
goes on within me. I am not on a road that does not
go anywhere, am I? Lead me forth on the way of my
fathers.” But the ‘you’ is also ‘I’. Do I know myself?
Who then do I know? Understanding your own soul is
maybe a life-long process that you only finish fully at
the completion of your life. On March 2, I once again
became aware that mercy starts with the care for
my own soul. And in the long run I will shortchange
others if I don’t take care of my own soul. And that
would cause me to have a lack of mercy. But still: to
wait now with being merciful to others until I fully
understand myself is not very useful. It would take
me too long … Maybe it is more a question of doing it
together: by reaching out to somebody with mercy, I
help myself too. By just doing it, I also learn to know
myself. And by consciously taking care of my own soul,
by consciously entering that learning process, I will
also discern the limits of my mercy and I will learn
what being merciful really is.
Brother Broer Huitema
4

CONCERNING BROTHER ANDREAS
ALL AND NOTHING
In the 1857 rule for the brothers you often come across the words ‘perfect’, ‘complete’ and
‘meticulous’. If you chose a life as brother, you chose to devote yourself completely to the
imitation of Christ. You choose for a life of strict observance and, if it was attainable, of
religious perfection.
Brother Andreas was a brother who observed punctually
the regulations for a perfect life. That was often a
question of ‘all or nothing.’ To remain in everything
devoted to one’s fellow man. To remain in everything
faithful to the rule. To always cling to an attitude of
prayer and respectful attention. To apply faith to the
smallest details. The stories about Brother Andreas often
deal with these amazingly small things which revealed
his faith.
One of the customs directed the brothers, in order not
to damage their eyes, was that they should not read in
the full sun. Brother Andreas took that precept literally.
When he did his spiritual reading while walking in the
garden, he took great care to stay within the shade, even
if it was only a small area. One of his pupils, the future
pastor Boelaars from Tilburg, once saw him praying his
breviary in a few square meters, without ever taking óne
wrong step. And that while the shaded area was getting
increasingly smaller.
Nothing was too much for Brother Andreas, nothing
was too little. In the life of a brother it was often
about that ‘nothing’. No time should remain unutilized.
Nothing should be neglected. Nothing should be left to
chance. Nothing should be said wrong. Nothing should
be ignored. Brother Maximianus relates that Brother
Andreas often held his milk can above his cup for two
or three minutes, to be sure to get the last drop. Brother
Andreas showed that a life of faith is about ‘all’ or
‘nothing’. He could thank God and remain faithful in ‘all’
and in ‘nothing’.
Garden Ruwenberg.
Charles van Leeuwen
5

INTERNATIONAL
THIRD GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
At the Generalate of the Brothers CMM in Tilburg the third General Assembly was held from January 6 till
January 11, 2013, during the six-year term of the General Board, which was elected by the General Chapter
of 2008. The Constitutions of the Congregation provide for a minimum of two such meetings between two
General Chapters. Just as the previous two General Assemblies, this meeting was meant as preparation for
the General Chapter of 2014, which will be held in the Generalate.
The first General Assembly took place in 2009 in
Igarapé, Brazil. In addition to the formal part of
the meeting, the theme ‘Leadership in a worldwide
brotherhood’ was discussed with the congregational
superiors. The second General Assembly was held in
2011 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Following that, the
subject ‘The formation of a merciful brother’ was the
focus for the superiors and the formation leaders.
Developments
At the start of the third General Assembly, the Superior
General, Brother Broer Huitema, dwelled on the fact
that this time there were no representatives anymore
from California, Surinam and Belgium, since these
three regions of CMM were suppressed. During the
first day the developments since 2008 in the regions,
provinces and the Congregation as a whole, passed
in review. In the Congregation new brotherhouses
(Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg, Dili, Lembata, Banjarmasin,
Tarakan and Molo) and schools (Lembata, Banjarmasin,
Tarakan, Mosocho) were opened and a policlinic was
put into use in Indonesia.
The expectation is that the Indonesian Province of
CMM will be financially self-supporting in 2014.
Next to joy over these positive developments, there
is a great concern in Indonesia about the decrease
of vocations to the life of a brother and about the
number of brothers that are leaving the Congregation.
In the report of the Dutch Province it was noted that
thirty brothers passed away since 2008. The average
6

namibia
‘NATIONAL
YOUTH DAYS’
The first Catholic ‘National Youth Days’ will take place in Namibia from August 23 till August 25, 2013.
The Brothers CMM in Namibia and the Namibian ‘Ambassadors of a Worldwide Brotherhood’, an
international CMM youth network, play an important role in the organization of this large scale religious
event. Nathalie Bastiaansen, who coordinates the international youth activities for the Brothers CMM,
explains the project.
The initiative to organize the National Catholic
Youth Days in Namibia originated with the Namibian
‘ambassadors’. The Brothers Joannes Mateus, Paul
Onyisi and Mr. Rhys Shadu Mbala, óne of the
ambassadors, got the idea to also organize a large
youth demonstration in their own country after their
participation in the ‘World Youth Days’ in Sydney
(2008). It seemed to them a great way to give a taste
of the spirit of the Worldwide Youth Days to the
Namibian youth. Many young people do not have the
opportunity of course to participate in one of these
religious events. However, the plan did not materialize.
After the participation of the Namibian ambassadors
in the Worldwide Youth Days in Madrid (2011) new life
was blown into the idea. National Youth Days would
have to come to Namibia where the ambassadors
could share the experiences they had gained during
the Worldwide Youth Days with their peers. Brother
Johannes Mateus and Ambassador Shadu Mbala
designed a step-by-step plan to realize their ideas.
Mr. Shadu Mbala and Brother Paul Onyisi received
permission from the Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti
Nashenda of Windhoek to organize the event.
Preparations
The preparations for the National Youth Days started
in September 2012. More than a hundred invited
guests met in the parish hall near St. Mary’s Cathedral
in Namibia’s capital of Windhoek on November 29,
St. Mary’s Cathedral in Windhoek.
2012. Archbishop Nashenda, the secretary general
of the Namibian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, youth
pastors from the different dioceses in Namibia,
superiors of congregations and leaders of youth
groups, among others, were present. This official
presentation was meant to get support from the many
stakeholders in the Church of Namibia, but also to
reach potential sponsors and volunteers.
The National Youth Days have the same motto
as the Worldwide Youth Days in Rio de Janeiro
this year. ‘Go, therefore, and make disciples of
all the nations’ (Mt. 28:19). At the end of the
11

namibia
A meeting in preparation of the National Youth Days. From left to right:
Brother Johannes Mateus, Peter Petrus (vice-president of the Namibian
ambassadors), Rhys Shadu Mbala (ambassador), Brother Paul Onyisi,
Lukas Mosemendi OMI (parish priest at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Windhoek).
presentation of the project Brother Paul Onyisi said:
“When you dream by yourself a dream remains only a
dream, however when you dream together a dream can
become a reality.”
Ambassador Shadu Mbala says about the project: “The
ambassadors in Namibia are not afraid to listen to the
inspiration of their faith and to act accordingly. Filled
with this power of the faith we organized in 2009
for example the first ‘Walk with Christ’, a pilgrimage
which has been held every spring since. We are also
active in vacation camps for orphans and a few
ambassadors have been selected for leadership tasks
in Church and society.” Through all these activities the
archbishop and the Church in Namibia got to know the
ambassadors as exceptionally dedicated young people
and they are very confident that this inspiring group
is capable of organizing a large scale event like the
National Youth Days. Shadu Mbala: “The ambassadors
themselves feel honoured that the Church in Namibia
has accepted the idea.”
Ambassadors of
a Worldwide Brotherhood
Since 1986, the Catholic World Youth Days take
place every two or three years in a different host
nation. The celebrations are an initiative of Pope
John Paul II. Anticipating the Catholic World Youth
Days in Sydney (2008) the Congregation started,
in those countries where the brothers are
active, the project ‘Ambassadors of a Worldwide
Brotherhood’ to fire up the youth in order to
dedicate themselves to a worldwide movement of
mercy and brotherhood and in this way make the
charism of CMM better known. About a hundred
young people joined and went to the World Youth
Days. Also a hundred ambassadors participated in
the event in Madrid in 2011. The preparations for
the upcoming World Youth Days, this year in
Rio de Janeiro, are in full swing.
12

Indonesia
SMA ‘Don Bosco’ class in Manado.
Don Bosco schools:
FAITH, SCIENCE AND
BROTHERHOOD
The ‘Don Bosco’ Foundation manages the schools of the brothers in Indonesia. It makes up the school board of
the preschools, elementary schools, and high schools. The Brothers Antonius Kodoati and Rikardus Rumangun
report about the Don Bosco schools in Tarakan, Manado, and Tomohon.
SMA ‘Don Bosco’ in Tarakan
SMA (‘sekolah menegah atas’) ‘Don Bosco’ in Tarakan,
is a high school, located on the island with the same
name in the Indonesian Province of East Kalimantan. It
prepares students for higher education and for study
at the university. The Oblates of the Immaculate Virgin
Mary founded the SMA of Tarakan on September 15,
1987. It received the name ‘W. Poerwardarminta’ and
the ‘Harapan Mulia’ Foundation managed it. The school
used the classrooms of the elementary school until
the completion of a new building in 1998. Contacts
grew between Bishop Justinus Harjosusanto MSF of
the Diocese of Tanjung Selor in northeast Kalimantan
and the Brothers CMM. They set up ground rules
for the management of the Catholic schools on the
island Tarakan with the outcome that on July 1, 2012,
Brother Frans Kilat became manager for the schools in
Tarakan on behalf of the brothers’ school board ‘Don
Bosco’. With the signing of the document on December
17, the Foundation ‘Harpan Mulia’ transferred all the
schools and the responsibility for them to the school
board ‘Don Bosco’. The official transfer took place on
December 18 and Brother Andy Effruan became the
president of the SMA. All the schools received the
name ‘Don Bosco’.
Big challenge
Some alumni of the ‘old’ SMA ‘W. Poerwardarminta’
did not realize that there had been changes and that
the schools had transferred to the Brothers CMM.
In a small booklet, published on June 17, 2011, a former
student mused: “Why did SMA ‘W. Poerwardarminta’
have to be removed from the society in East Kalimantan?
Who made that decision?” The author invites his
classmates to reinstate SMA ‘W. Poerwardarminta’.
The brothers face a challenge with the attempt by
these alumni. Legally, the Congregation does not face
a problem. Yet, for a school to be successful
in its education, it must find support in the
community it serves. Alumni can be very helpful
in the support for their school. Hopefully the
17

as teachers. They bring the spirituality of mercy and
brotherhood into our schools. The ‘Don Bosco’ schools
have as their mission statement: ‘Fides, Scientia et
Fraternitas’, ‘Faith, Science and Brotherhood’. Those
working in the schools do their best to make this
vision a reality.
Brother Lawrence Obiko, General Board-member of
CMM, with children of the preschool in Tarakan.
brothers will find ways to successfully work together
with the alumni association. We hope that the schools
at Tarakan will become outstanding schools where
the CMM spirituality of brotherhood and mercy will
be fostered.
Brother Antonius Kodoati
THE BROTHERS’ ‘DON BOSCO’
SCHOOLS IN MANADO
AND TOMOHON
The ‘Don Bosco’ Foundation of the Brothers CMM
has, since the 1920s, directed ‘Don Bosco’ schools
and some boarding schools in Manado and Tomohon.
The brothers can take pride in their schools. Every
year many students who graduate draw respect and
admiration because of their faith, knowledge, and
culture. The schools of the brothers in Manado and
Tomohon have become known for their outstanding
achievements and in many parts of Indonesia they rank
as excellent schools. The positive collaboration of the
brothers, the students, and the school board achieves
such outcome. Brother Dion Lamere is president of
the school board in Yogyakarta. Brother Rikardus
Rumangun directs a branch of the foundation in
Manado and fills the task of secretary for it. Brother
Emarius Gulö is its treasurer. A brother functions
as principal in each of the schools, except the
preschools. Brother Benediktus Jeujanan is principal
of the elementary school in Manado, Brother Matias
Hamsudin of the one in Tomohon. Brother Valerius
Halawa heads the junior high school in Manado;
Brother Theodorus Hera is principal of the junior high
in Tomohon. The senior high school in Manado has
Brother Yoseph Bille as its principal. In addition to
these leaders, various brothers work in the schools
New curricula
A school must continue to maintain and improve the
quality of its education. School teams have to be
careful and avoid complacency with the results that
have been achieved. New curricula will be introduced
in 2013 for primary and secondary education. Their
implementation demands much and intense work for
all involved. The big changes that come their way
need to be executed under careful guidance.
Vincent de Paul
The brothers celebrate the feast of St. Vincent in their
communities and schools on September 27. Saint
Vincent is the patron saint for the work the brothers
do. In the month of September they organize programs
and actions to assist poor and marginalized people.
Students and teachers visit the poor to assist them
and help ease their situation. Students who are poor
have a welcome place at the ‘Don Bosco’ schools and
they receive assistance to help pay tuition. We hope
that the Foundation ‘Don Bosco’ will continue to do its
work for a long time to come and that, together with
the brothers and the school teams, it will continue to
build and maintain schools of great quality. May ‘Fides,
Scientia et Fraternitas’ guide us in the school work
we do.
Brother Rikardus Rumangun
SMA ‘Don Bosco’ class in Manado.
18

kenya
Brothers congratulating their fellow-brother Richard Gisemba.
PROFESSION FOR LIFE
During a Eucharistic Celebration lasting two-and-a-half hours Brother Richard Gisemba made his
profession for life in the presence of the Superior General, Brother Broer Huitema. The Provincial Superior
of Kenya, Brother Andrea Sifuna and Brother Leo van de Weijer were the witnesses; they also signed the
act of the profession.
Due to the large number of people that wished
to attend the ceremony it was held outside the
parish church of Rangenyo, not far from the CMM
communities of Mosocho, Oyugis and Sikri. In his
address during the Eucharist Brother Broer Huitema
said to be happy with Brother Richard’s choice to
become a brother of mercy for the rest of his life.
“Every day is a challenge to become more and more
what we are: brothers of mercy, first of all in the
community and next in the way we serve others”,
he said. The superior general expressed a special word
of thanks to the parents of Brother Richard: “Without
your good example and dedication he would never
have made this step.” The ceremony was presided
over by the vicar general of the Kisii Diocese and
was attended by just about all the brothers in Kenya,
representatives of other congregations, colleagues
and students of St. Vincent de Paul Primary School in
Mosocho, where Brother Richard teaches.
Brother Edward Gresnigt
Photo below: Brother Richard Gisemba with his parents,
Brother Huitema, Superior General, the Provincial Superior
of Kenya, Brother Andrea Sifuna and family members,
after the ceremony.
19

news in brief
TILBURG MAYOR
AT POP-IN-LUNCH
On January 31, 2013, the Mayor of Tilburg, Peter Noordanus, paid a visit to the brotherhouse of the Elim Community
– located in his city – to take part in the pop-in-lunch. He talked at length with guests, volunteers and initiators.
At the end of his visit he surprised everyone with the gift of a rose. In 2009 the Tilburg Elim Community of the
brothers began with this special service for people who are often alone and who like some socializing. Guests
come from all over Tilburg and are of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Initially the pop-in-lunch took place only once a
week, but because of a continued large attendance they changed to twice a week in 2011. Attendance is free but
a voluntary contribution is appreciated. The entire project is supported financially by the Brother Andreas Parish,
the Sisters SCMM and the Brothers CMM and is only feasible due to a large group of volunteers. Every Tuesday and
Thursday, the days of the pop-in-lunch, a large banner is placed in front of the brotherhouse with the logos of the
pop-in-lunch, the parish and the contributing congregations.
Banner of the pop-in-lunch in front of the
brotherhouse of the Elim Community in Tilburg.
Tilburg Mayor Peter Noordanus (left) in
conversation with luncheon guests.
A DEDICATED BROTHER
Brother Joseph
Cosmas Mduge.
Encouraged by what he
read from fellow-brothers
in Brothers CMM, Tanzanian
born Brother Joseph Cosmas
Mduge, first-year novice
in Kenya, put on paper
how he considered the
life of a brother. “By his
vows a brother dedicates
his life entirely to others.
He opens his heart for the
world, offers a listening
ear and open hands. He is able to do so only from out
of a community with fellow-brothers who love each
other. That community is possible only thanks to the
vows we make. These vows create a bond among the
brothers and enable them to share with one another
both good and bad. Through a celibate lifestyle they
are able to be there for one another. Through the vow
of poverty they are all equal and in brotherhood they
are able to concentrate fully on their common goal.
Obedience means that all brothers are faithful to
their task to let the Christian spirit penetrate the
whole world.”
20

CHALLENGED BY MERCY
“Zion says, ‘The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.’ Can a woman forget the infant at her
breast, or a mother the child of her womb? But should even these forget, I shall never forget you. I have
inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are always before my eyes.” (Isaiah 49:14-16). This
text from The Book of Isaiah touches me very much, because as a Brother CMM you try to live your life in
brotherhood and mercy, guided by the spirituality of the Congregation. ‘Mercy’ sometimes evokes words of
comfort, words that soothe, words that bring peace, words that sound pleasant. But mercy can also be a
challenge showing us who we are. I recall how a girl was accused at school of having stolen some money.
Her parents could not cope with this accusation and they put their child under pressure with accusations
and punishments. This escalated to the point where they shouted to her at the schoolyard: “We will kill
you! It would be better if this child were dead. She brings shame on her parents.” Brother Aloysius Ungkang
heard how the parents were treating their child and noticed how severely she had been beaten. He went up
to the parents and asked them who had abused the child. “We did”, the father answered. With a strong and
firm voice Brother Aloysius replied: “Then you as parents are responsible. Take this child to the hospital!
If she dies you will go to prison.” At this the rage of both parents deflated. They went home and the
brothers made sure that the child received the necessary medical care and was reconciled with her
parents. This incident reminded me of the motto of our founder, Joannes Zwijsen: ‘Mansuete et Fortiter’,
‘Gentle and Strong’. You must be able to be strong, especially when mercy challenges you to be so,
as Brother Aloysius experienced.
Brother Antonius Kodoati
AN INFORMATIVE DAY WITH
THE BROTHERS IN SIGONA
Kenyan Brother Samuel Amolo reports on a study
day on September 9, 2012, in the novitiate of CMM
in Sigona, organized for a youth group which he runs
from Kikuyu parish. “We received a warm welcome
by the brothers”, he writes. “It was an informative
day during which the young people and the brothers
exchanged ideas about their role in Church and society.
The brothers showed us some films about people with
HIV and AIDS. They were really impressed with a video
about a boy, Nick, who had neither legs nor arms but
who participated fully and with total dedication in all
the activities of his faith community. He can do so,
because he believes in himself and accepts himself
the way he is. The young people became fully aware
how you have to accept yourself as you are, how you
have to stand up for your rights, and how you must
seize every opportunity to serve God and to support
the Church in a variety of ways. The brothers put it
to the young people how they are of great value and
how each one of them in their own way can serve their
Creator. From this self-awareness they need to realize
always, that they cannot live a carefree life, but that
they have obligations towards themselves and towards
God in order to deal well with the life that they have
been given.
Young people of the parish youth group having a
tug-of-war during their study day in the garden of
the brotherhouse in Sigona.
21

in memoriam
BROTHER
Canisius (J.J.W.M.) Tra
BROTHER
Patrick (F.P.C.M.) Smolders
He was born at Goirle, The Netherlands, on September
14, 1931 and entered the Congregation of the
Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy, at Tilburg
on August 29, 1949. He made his profession for life
August 15, 1954. He passed away on December 28,
2012 at the Joannes Zwijsen Community in Tilburg
and was buried at the brothers’ cemetery at the
Estate Steenwijk, in Vught, The Netherlands.
Jozef was one of the youngest children in the large
family of Tra. Here his vocation grew to become a
brother, just like his older sibling, Brother Marius.
After his novitiate he gained work experience as a
tailor and a nurse for the sick at ‘Huize De La Salle’, in
Boxtel, as well as in the boarding school at Medemblik.
In 1958 he was asked to come to the Motherhouse in
Tilburg to work in the tailor’s shop. Brother Canisius
became an expert in the tailoring profession. After
gaining the Diploma of Master Tailor in 1965, he was
put in charge of the tailor’s shop and the clothing
store of the brothers. For as long as 47 years he served
his community in that capacity. For 30 years he was
a member of the community-board. Brother Canisius
was also a family man and made many friends.
He was a religious person, who was proud of his
family, his Congregation, his Church. Now we had to
let him go and entrust him to God, the Father of us all.
May Brother Canisius be for all of us an advocate with
him whom we are allowed to call the Merciful One.
He was born at Tilburg, The Netherlands, on November
6, 1929 and entered the Congregation of the Brothers
of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy, at Tilburg on August
29, 1947. He made his profession for life on August
15, 1952. He died on January 17, 2013 at the Joannes
Zwijsen Community in Tilburg and was buried at the
brothers’ cemetery at the Estate Steenwijk, Vught,
The Netherlands.
Brother Patrick grew up in Tilburg where at the
primary school he got to know the Brothers CMM
and became a member of their Congregation. He
worked as a teacher at various primary schools in
The Netherlands. In 1961 he was sent on a mission to
Congo, where he worked as a teacher till 1975, when
due to the chaotic situation the brothers had to leave
that country. After a short stay in The Netherlands
he was sent to Namibia. There he began teaching at
the well-known St. Joseph Secondary School, where
the brothers and others contributed to the formation
of the generation of future leaders for the country
that gained its independence in 1990. As a token of
appreciation for his labour he received the papal medal
‘Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice’ in 1997. Brother Patrick
has also served his community as a member of the
regional board and as superior of the community in
Döbra, Namibia. He returned to The Netherlands in
1997. At the residential care facility Joannes Zwijsen
he committed himself tirelessly to the care of a
handicapped fellow-brother, right up to the day before
he died. The life of Brother Patrick was characterized
by simplicity, faithfulness, religiosity ánd a sense of
humour. The Mother of Mercy – we are convinced –
has already welcomed him into the Light of her Son.
22

‘HIS GRACE IS NEAR’
GRATITUDE
During the last couple of years my sister-in-law Tina became more and more confined in
her activities. Her world became increasingly smaller and she became progressively more
dependent on others. Instead of complaining and feeling sorry for herself she became
evermore a grateful person. She was pleased with all the attention given to her and each
time she was able to utter a wholehearted Thank-you. It just wasn’t me who noticed this,
but everyone who visited her. It was a feast to visit her. She also held up a mirror to us.
I am reminded here of the beautiful brochure of
Piet van Breemen SJ, Living with a grateful heart
(1983), in which he says: “Gratitude gives a person a
positive attitude in life. Grateful people are beautiful
people we all enjoy dealing with, people who make
life happier and richer – their own life ánd that of
others – people who never give up even in difficult
circumstances, who even in a crisis discover new
opportunities and make full use of them. Ungrateful
people can make so many things distasteful; they
strangle life.” Yes, grateful people can enjoy life and
be happy!
Living with a grateful heart, can you learn it? In the
Gospel we read that Jesus was a grateful person: he
showed himself to be grateful for the big ánd the
little things of life: for a cup of water, for friendship,
for the people that followed him. And sometimes
he rejoiced giving thanks to his Father. It is really
worthwhile looking at it and reflecting on it.
‘Eucharist’ means ‘thanksgiving’. Celebrating Eucharist
in that condition opens your heart and spirit to look
in awe and gratitude at life.
And then there is something else. Dorothee Sölle gave
the advice never to go to sleep before thanking God
for three things. Try it. You will see something will
happen to you. Life becomes lighter and beautiful;
it makes you more mild and merciful to yourself and
to others.
Brother Wim Verschuren
23

In the spirit of
evangelical freedom
we must be prepared,
where necessary,
to reconsider
or to abandon
established forms
of service.
(from the Rule of Life of the Brothers CMM)
Magazine of the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy