Dominique Mukonda CICM
On September 6, our confrère, Jean-Pierre Siasi-Khonde, professed his perpetual vows in the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary [CICM]. It goes without saying that it is an important and final commitment to share in the mission entrusted to the institute. The celebration took place at St James’ Parish in Yau Tong, in the presence of the district superior and local coordinator, Father Dominique Mukonda, the CICM Missionaries and other collaborators and friends.
History will tell us that the CICM Mission originated in Belgium on 28 November 1862. Its founder, Father Theophile Verbist, aimed to preach the faith to the Chinese people and the salvation of many abandoned infants. On 25 August 1865, after CICM had accepted the mission of Inner-Mongolia, the founder and his first companions left Belgium for China. There he passed away, barely three years later, on 23 February 1868.
However, CICM and its mission continued and eventually, some 680 CICM Missionaries would serve in mainland China, in addition to more than 70 confrères who were sent directly to Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Today, CICM is a multicultural and international institute, present in many countries around the world. Its “multicultural character is an eloquent testimony in today’s world, characterised by the whiff of division and racial, tribal and religious discrimination” [Acts of the 15th CICM General Chapter, Rome, 2017, p. 23].
In his homily, the local superior invited his confrère to remember the significance of the word “perpetual” in perpetual vows, which demands that he permanently connects himself to the Lord, the One without whom the vocation to religious life is meaningless. Our move to join the consecrated life can wear the appearance of a personal decision while, in fact, it is the Love of God who first loved us and made us ready to be instruments of his love.
As a matter of fact, “love consists in this: it is not we who loved God, but God loved us” [1 John 4: 10] and sent us to bear witness to his name. “It is not that we are so competent that we can claim any credit for ourselves; all our competence comes from God” scripture says in 2 Corinthians 3: 5.
The vocation to religious life is a personal call, an individual response to the Lord who called us from a particular setting or circumstance to leave it all and follow him. Focusing his sharing on the chosen gospel of the ceremony [Matthew 4: 18-23], the homilist invited the candidate to perpetual vows to meditate on the example of the first disciples. They heard the Lord calling them and “at once” they followed him.
“At once” is an individual inner disposition, an attitude of confidence in the Lord. Trusting in the Lord, they [but each one according to his freedom] decided to leave their work, their fathers and their usual surroundings to follow someone without really knowing where the road would lead them. In this world where we need too much assurance [or insurance] before giving our consent, this attitude of the disciples should inspire the life of a missionary as he follows Jesus forever in the religious life.
‘At once!” Did they follow immediately as reported or was it just the gospel author’s way of reporting their decision to follow Jesus without going through the details about their time of meditation and consideration? This is another matter! Our brother, too, heard the call, and we can say that “at once” he followed!
“At once’ is an individual inner disposition, an attitude of confidence in the Lord. Trusting in the Lord, they [but each one according to his freedom] decided to leave their work, their fathers and their usual surroundings to follow someone without really knowing where the road would lead them
May this spirit inspire your motivation and ability to put yourself totally at the service of the mission, for obedience to the Lord and to his Church demands the aptitude to go where the need is felt.
As reported in our own documents, “by our commitment to live in obedience, we unite ourselves to the obedient Christ. In him we are freed to carry out God’s will in creative faithfulness to our mission. During the formation years, the formandi will be guided to discern continuously, both personally and communally, the Lord’s calling” [General Guidelines for Initial Formation, No 32]. In order to remain a faithful servant for ever as you will say, a permanent connection to the obedient Christ is a wisdom that needs to be asked for in prayer and spiritual guidance as you did so far.
“But the call to religious and missionary life is not only personal or individual. It is also an ecclesial event because you are now part of a long tradition of the Church that saw many people commit themselves totally to the Lord, from the early stages of the Church until now. Each one of these people responded and contributed with their talents, abilities, and their own personalities too.
As you know, many of them are famous and recognised saints will others will remain forever unknown to the public. They are all a chance to the Church and to yourself as a person”, said the Superior. He invited his confrère to remember that a meditation on the lives of the saints and of the people who devoted themselves completely to the service of the Lord would revitalise his efforts to remain faithful and trustworthy.
In fact, role models are still living among us as well. The humility to find them and to learn from their different experiences could lead to a religious life that is based on positive feelings and joy.
The profession of perpetual vows is a tradition in the Church and as such, the Church should be seen as a place where you find support, care and the happiness to live according to the teachings of the religious vows.
However, this needs prudence and discipline as reported in our documents: “prudence and discipline are necessary. The ideal of celibacy cannot be achieved without grace and prayer. A fraternal community will give us the support we need. A meaningful and fulfilling missionary involvement gives us the opportunity to relate to people in a caring and loving way” [General Guidelines for Initial Formation, No 30].
“You professed the vow of poverty as well, and in a while, you will do it forever. But this will be achieved when you believe that our lifestyle too is a message that nothing is more important than our total commitment to Jesus. With this in mind, material possessions will never be an obsession or an obstruction, for Christ is the perfect treasure.”
The superior invited his confrère to cultivate the love for the congregation for it is as a CICM Missionary that he will be called to share the gospel of Jesus and impact the lives of the people around him, inside or outside the Church.
Reaching out to all is a mission too, and this is the reason why our vocation has a social orientation too. It cares for the human being, no matter who they are. It needs the ability get out of the comfort zone for instance!
The confrère will be ordained a deacon on October 2 at 3.00pm at St. Stephen’s parish in Kwai Chung. We entrust him to your prayers as he prepares for the ministry of service.
