Sister Claudine Nakamura, who was born in New Caledonia, was greatly affected in her youth by the stories of the pioneers of the Third Order of Mary who set out for Oceania in the 19th century. In response to the same call to be missionary, Marist and religious, she herself became a pioneer in the smsm mission in Senegal in 1958. Here she expresses her joy as she looks to the future, and her hope that “His Kingdom will come”.
In looking towards the future, I am full of confidence, as there are so many sources of hope… today as yesterday, the Spirit is at work.
One sign full of promise for today and for tomorrow is our missionary daring inherited from the first Marists, especially from our “Pioneers”. These eleven French women, daring and dauntless, who between 1845 and 1860, left everything and set out for distant Oceania in response to the call of God for mission. They felt that they were “called to the honour of working to extend the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and to make Mary known to the ends of the earth.” (SMSM Constitutions 2)
Today as yesterday, each of us is also inspired by the passion for mission, whatever her country of origin, her culture, her age, her profession. I marvel to discover in our younger sisters the deep desire to be sent to other people, especially to the most poor, to witness the love and tenderness of the Father!
And despite our small number (510 smsm in March 2008) the General Council had the daring to open a new community in Tanzania in January 2007!
Before these wonders, my heart rejoices with a boundless hope!
The intercultural richness of our religious family is real since the very beginning… This aspect has developed, diversified, and intensified all through our history. Yes, from the first years, the young Pacificans – Wallisians, Futunians, Caledonians, Samoans, joined our pioneers. More recently, vocations have been born in new countries: Bangladesh, Senegal, Benin, Togo, Congo, Trinidad, Romania… And our communities are more and more international, and intercultural… which is a source of great richness.
How could we not be filled with joyful hope on seeing these gratuitous gifts of the Lord?
A better knowledge of our history. A deepening of the Marist Spirit … The joy for us to discover the treasure of our origins: a history so rich, original, wonderful, filled with the constant action of God and the tender presence of Mary! I am proud of the lives of all those who have gone before us, ready to give themselves for mission without counting the cost… Thank you to all the sisters who with great skill and deep love have done the research, have unearthed the treasures, and now continue to write our history.
I desire that all of us smsm, today and tomorrow, will always seek to live our spirit even more profoundly.
For many years there has been collaboration within the Marist family, a family of several branches: the Marist Fathers, sons of Father Colin; the Marist Brothers with Fr Champagnat; the Marist Sisters, daughters of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin; the SMSM sisters and the 4 diocesan congregations founded by them in Oceania, all heirs of the pioneers; the Marist laity, gathered in different associations. When this collaboration intensifies, extends itself and becomes even richer … it will enable us to help one another to better live according to the spirit of Mary “hidden and unknown” at the service of the kingdom. Our unity is a strength for each one of us: it gives us confidence and opens the ways of the future!
MAY HOPE LIVE IN US AND GIVE US A FRESH IMPULSE!
|
