brothers CMM

others CMM
3/11
| CHALLENGES FOR RELIGIOUS | EXTENDED CARE IN
BROTHERHOOD | SOURCE OF LIVING WATER | BACK HOME
AGAIN IN INDONESIA | VINCENTIAN FAMILY |
JUNIOR DAYS IN KUPANG | KENYA ACTION
1

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:
Contact:
E-mail:
Website:
Franciscan Kolbe Press, Limuru,
Kenya, press@ofmconvkenya.org
Brothers CMM, Rhapta Road, P.O.Box
14916 Nairobi, Westlands 00800, Kenya
magazine@cmmbrothers.nl
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
Photograph front: Flashmob in Eindhoven. Sint-Joris College
supports Brothers CMM in Kenya (see page 18).
The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt.
Photograph back: Eib Lake, Germany (photo: Brother Ad de Kok).
2

CHALLENGES
FOR RELIGIOUS
EXTENDED CARE
6 IN BROTHERHOOD 7
NEWS IN BRIEF
8
FROM THE
EDITORIAL BOARD
At the time when the Dutch version of Brothers
CMM was published young people had come
together in Tilburg, The Netherlands. A hundred
people from countries where the brothers work
had arrived from Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Namibia,
The Netherlands, Tanzania, and East Timor. From
August 5 through August 13 they prepared for the
Catholic World Youth Days, which were held in
Madrid, Spain, from August 16 through August 22.
As ‘Ambassadors of Worldwide Brotherhood’ they,
each in their own way, continue to radiate the
charisma of the Brothers CMM. The previous World
Youth Days in Sydney, Australia, from July 15
through July 21, 2008, inspired the Brothers CMM
to launch the ambassador programme, which has
as its goal to inspire the youth and build in them
the desire to commit themselves to a worldwide
‘movement of mercy and brotherhood’. The next
issue will report extensively the ambassadors’
activities. This Brothers CMM issue describes the
proceedings of the final preparations by the
Brazilian ambassadors. In addition to that account,
the reader will find again many ‘news in brief’
items from the Congregation’s world, which
becomes increasingly more international. It is
noteworthy to see so many reports here about
meetings where participants reflect on the identity
of religious life. It happened at a gathering in
Rome of superiors general, at an assembly of
brothers under temporary vows in Indonesia and
even during a retreat for young people. In short:
religious life continues to be in motion. We know
that ‘water standing still, goes bad’. The same can
be said about religious life. Therefore, mercy and
brotherhood must be ever in motion.
SOURCE OF
LIVING WATER
VINCENTIAN
FAMILY
KENYA ACTION PUPILS EINDHOVEN
YIELDS €40.000,-
NEWS IN BRIEF –
IN MEMORIAM
BACK HOME AGAIN
11 IN INDONESIA 12
14
19
JUNIOR DAYS
IN KUPANG
SOURCES
15
18
23
3

Column
FROM THE SUPERIOR GENERAL
On July 1, Doctor Annelies van Heijst delivered a speech when she formally accepted the position of professor
at the University of Tilburg, The Netherlands in the field of ‘Zorg, Cultuur en Caritas’ (Care giving, Culture, and
Charity). She stressed the importance of empathy for the care giving services in Dutch society. It sounds like
a rather unusual subject for a professor who tends to focus on detached scientific research. One would think
that the topic of compassion does not quite belong in the scientific world. And the word is not a familiar one; it
remains a rather aloof concept.
The professor argued that caregivers must pay
more attention to compassion in the care for their
patients. She expressed concern about the increased
professionalization with its growing rules and regulations.
It induces the danger that personal attention for the
patient moves into the background or even disappears.
One often hears this complaint. Professor van Heijst
advocates a more ‘loving’ style of care giving where
people take pity on the helplessness of their fellowmen,
are sensitive to their needs, and provide care with
tender compassion. Her plea dovetails with one of the
key concepts of the Congregation’s spirituality: mercy.
Compassion in care giving implies increased attention
to ‘mercy’. Actually, we deal with a basic grounding that
inspires the work we do and guides us in the way we
approach and treat others. The temptation lurks in
each of us to reduce the other into an object and
misuse him or her to satisfy our own needs. Working
with the attitude of compassion, from the perspective
of mercy, fights such temptation and it is good to be
reminded of that. During the weekend that followed
Annelies van Heijst’s speech, it was my turn to present
a reflective meditation at the Generalate. My talk focused
on the word ‘humility’, which is not exactly a common
word either. We also think of the word ‘humble’ in this
context. In the gospel we read that Jesus in those days’
approached people ‘in meekness and humbleness of
heart’. A demeanor of humbleness appears to me to be
the most important attitude in care giving. The person in
need does not have to lower himself or herself in asking
for help. Instead, we humble ourselves and respond
respectfully to the person who asks for help. We place
the other in the centre of attention, not ourselves.
It would be a good thing if the training programme for the
caregiver would pay more attention to the need of mercy
and compassion and promote a basic posture of humility.
Actually this need is not restricted to care giving alone …
Brother Broer Huitema
4

CONCERNING BROTHER ANDREAS
WORDS OF VALUE
Brother Andreas was a ‘languages man’. Not a day would pass that he would speak at least four of them. He
worked at the school, the Ruwenberg, which was bilingual. A rule strictly prescribed when Dutch and when
French was to be spoken. Brother Andreas had a certificate of proficiency in both French and German. He
knew these languages very well. He also participated in the communal prayers, which were mostly in Latin.
His fellow-brothers envied him for the ease with which
he could switch from one language to the other. Many
encountered difficulties with the language rule. As by a
stroke of good luck a talented and patient fellow-brother
lived among them. This explains why so many remembered
Brother Andreas as ‘the languages man’. We know that he
wrote specific words and short stories in a small notebook
so he wouldn’t forget them. He loved puns. He was a
fervent translator and could spend days being frustrated
by an untranslatable word or phrase and kept searching
until he found a precise rendition for it. Brother Andreas
loathed translation errors and all sins that are committed
against the rules of the language.
The fact that the brothers at the Ruwenberg had to
be proficient in two languages logically could cause
various problems. Younger brothers who did not speak
the required language could feel isolated. They would lack
sufficient knowledge of the language to be able to express
their feelings clearly. A little anecdote shows Brother
Andreas’ sensitivity to such communication problems and
his ability to resolve them. A young brother, supervising a
group of students for the priesthood during the afternoon
break, caught one of the boys misbehaving. He went
to Brother Andreas to ask how he should punish the
culprit. The incident took place during a time period when
brothers and students were required to speak French.
Brother Andreas listened patiently to the young excited
brother and said: “Tell me again, but this time do it in
Dutch. I believe you came on too strong in French.”
Brother Andreas showed that besides finding ‘the right
word’ one must also find ‘the right attitude’ behind
that word. The switching from one language to another
can become an internal change: from resentment to
forgiveness, from anger to mercy, from seeing things in
the human way to seeing them in God’s way.
Charles van Leeuwen
One of the oldest photographs of Brother Andreas
(seated, third from the right) at the Ruwenberg.
5

INTERNATIONAL
kort nieuws
GREAT
CHALLENGES
FOR RELIGIOUS WORLDWIDE
Religious worldwide encounter large unprecedented social and cultural changes, which force them to revisit
their identity and their prophetic call. 180 male and female superior generals from religious orders and
congregations throughout the world drew this conclusion during a meeting in Rome from May 25-27, 2011.
Brother Broer Huitema, Superior General of the Brothers
CMM, and Ronald Randang, a General Board-member,
participated in the semiannual Conference of Major
Superiors (USG). They spent three days in deliberation
and reflection on the prophetic nature of religious life.
They took as the theme for these consultations:
‘The identity and prophetic quality of the apostolic,
consecrated life’. The superiors discussed various
topics, which included globalization, secularization,
consumerism, technological advances, but their
emphasis was on the future of religious life.
‘Signs of the Time’
Pascual Chávez SDB, Superior General of the Salesians
of Don Bosco and Chairman of the USG, emphasized
during the gathering that the witness of the religious is
at the heart of a long tradition of the consecrated life.
“But at the same time religious must be sensitive to the
signs of the time”, he added. The American Sister Mary
Lou Wirtz FCJM, Superior General of the Daughters of
the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and President of
the International Union of Superior Generals, declared:
“Religious life faces great challenges as it searches for a
new identity and a new awareness in a changing world.”
She emphasized that the religious are challenged to be
a more powerful witness, to work efficiently with one
another, and involve the laity more with their mission.
Peter van Zoest
(Source: kerknet.be)
Pascual Chávez SDB,
President of the
Conference of Major Superiors.
6

THE NETHERLANDS
EXTENDED CARE IN BROTHERHOOD
‘Extended care’ directs its concerns to the chronically ill, the disabled, and those who need assistance. Often
companions provide this care. They are the ones with whom the patients have a personal bond: family members,
friends, acquaintances, and neighbours. The care typically requires long-lasting service without compensation.
In the CMM communities we also see extended care at work. Henk van de Wal, Associate Member of the
Brothers CMM, works at the Joannes Zwijsen residential care facility in Tilburg, The Netherlands, where the
brothers have a community. He wrote the following report.
In earlier times elderly people lived in their own homes as
long as possible. Their children attended to them and took
care of them. New developments, increasing prosperity,
and the fact that more people are needed to support
the economic progress promoted the increase in nursing
homes and convalescent homes for the elderly and the
needy. Government imposes increasing austerity measures
and these homes have to do the work with less money
and therefore a reduced staff. To still provide the clients
with the necessary care and recreation, appeals are made
increasingly to family or acquaintances: the long-term
care givers.
Extra attention
At the residential care facility Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg,
where a community of elderly brothers resides, more
requests are made for people who can provide extended
care. Brothers take wheelchair bound fellow-brothers
to the chapel, the dining room, or the living room. They
provide assistance during meals or at the nursing ward,
where two brothers live. At the living quarters of another
nursing ward brothers are constantly engaged, especially
during the peak hours when the staff members work hard
to help everyone get ready for bed. Some brothers from
within as well as from outside the community visit fellowbrothers
who need extra attention.
A three-day walk
The increase of elderly brothers brings growing problems.
It becomes more and more difficult to find extensive care
providers within the community at Joannes Zwijsen itself.
The residential care centre organized a ‘Three-day walk’
for May 24, 25, and 26. People using wheelchairs were
invited to participate. The brothers in the community
faced a shortage of ‘helping hands’. They appealed to the
brothers who do not live in their community for assistance
and participate as companions. Six brothers confined to
a wheelchair could now participate because six brothers
Picture of the
three-day walk
in Tilburg.
from the communities of Joannes Zwijsen,
De Vuurhaard, and the Generalate assisted them. The walk
through the city of Tilburg lasted two hours. It gave the
participants an opportunity to be outside and break out
of their routine. During the walk the participants took a
break for a cup of coffee or tea, a sausage roll or some ice
cream. Those who attended ended the annual ‘Three-day
walk’ in a festive way. In a sociable gathering they sang
under the accompaniment of an accordionist and received
roses and well-deserved pennants.
‘Attentive care’
Attention for one another, care for our fellow-brothers
manifests the CMM spirituality. The Constitutions state:
“We express the love which reigns among us in a special
way by concerned care for our sick, aged and less
able-bodied fellow-brothers” (Constitutions I, 91).
We must keep in mind the question in Genesis 4:9:
“Am I my brother’s keeper?”, to make it possible that
others can appreciate our concern and experience it:
“like a mantle wrapped around me, so is my God …”
(cf. Huub Oosterhuis).
Henk van de Wal
7

NEWS kort IN nieuws BRIEF
A BROTHER DESCRIBES
THE CHANGING TIMES
At the occasion of his golden anniversary on August 29,
2010, Brother Henrique Matos started in Portuguese the
publication of the three volume book: A Religious in the
Changing Times. The last volume appeared in early 2011.
He describes the radical changes in society, church and
religious life that took place during his life. The wellknown
Brazilian theologian João Batista Libanio S.J.
recently wrote a review about the publications in a
Church History magazine and in a theological periodical.
He calls the work “the author’s hymn of gratitude” and
motivates it with the following reasons: “He who
received so much goodness and love, wants to give this
back with love to his family, friends and students and
thereby be a witness to the mercy of God. Brother
Henrique writes about the great debt he owes to his
family, his Congregation and important persons who are
responsible for his intellectual and spiritual development
and of his understanding of religious life.”
PROVINCE AFTERNOON IN TILBURG
On May 20, the brothers and associate members in
The Netherlands met for a CMM Province Afternoon
in the residential care facility Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg.
In his welcome address Brother Jan Koppens, the
Provincial Superior, stated that it was important for an
aging community to keep the communal bonds strong
and to continue to invest in each other. Jesus and Mary
are here the classic examples: “In the interactions
between Jesus and his disciples, in the manner in which
He cared about people, especially the marginalized,
He shows us what matters: to be a brother or sister
of the real person you encounter. In that situation,
you yourself are not that important, definitely not
Brother Isaac Majoor.
the centre, but you are invited to be or become the
neighbour of the person you meet. Such a meeting
becomes a time of grace.” And about Mary: “She serves,
is straightforward, pays attention to other people’s
needs, stays faithful - also when suffering - and
nourishes herself inside the community through silence
and prayer.” The Trappist monk Isaac Majoor, Prior of
the Abbey of Our Lady of Koningshoeven in Berkel-
Enschot and co-director of Beer Brewery De
Koningshoeven, was invited to speak about the theme
‘Brotherhood in an aging community’. Reflecting on his
own experience as a ‘young’ 59 year old religious in an
aging community of seventeen monks, he held up
a mirror to those present. Contrary to the business
community or society, religious people continue to
‘stay involved’. This also means sharing each other’s
ups and downs. He pointed out that the Congregation
accomplished much in The Netherlands and far beyond.
But the reality is now that older brothers have to live
together with fellow-brothers they have not chosen.
The challenge is to remain authentic persons under
these new conditions and, based on the religious
tradition of mercy and brotherhood, keep high the
ideals of forgiveness and reconciliation in the daily
life of the community. “For a brother to live a life
of mercy it is essential to have an inner attitude of
forgiveness and reconciliation”, says Brother Isaac.
8

BRAZILIAN ‘AMBASSADORS’ MEET
With the World Youth Day (Sydney, 15-21 July 2008) in
mind, the Congregation set up an ‘Ambassadors’ Project’
in countries where the brothers are working to motivate
young people to commit themselves to a worldwide
‘movement of mercy and brotherhood’. In preparation of
the project a meeting of all ambassadors was held in
2008 in Tomohon on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
This year the ambassadors get together in Tilburg prior
to the World Youth Days in Madrid (16-22 August 2011).
The ambassadors will prepare themselves under the
motto: ‘Jesus, our compass, our road to compassion’.
In Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Namibia, The Netherlands,
Tanzania and East Timor preparations for the
international meeting have been completed.
The fourteen Brazilian ambassadors came together
in Janaúba from April 21 to 23, under the leadership
of the Brothers Adriano van den Berg, Albertus Geroda
and Mr. Evemar Gomez, one of the ambassadors in
Sydney. The parable of the Good Samaritan was the
central theme. The meeting began with the celebration
of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday, after which the group
reflected on the action of Jesus, who in all humility
washed his disciples’ feet. The morning of Good Friday
was set aside for a reflection on the suffering of Jesus.
A presentation of some of the activities on the topic of
brotherhood and sisterhood assisted the young people in
their reflection on Jesus’ humility and his unconditional
love. At the seminary of Janaúba they made the Way of
the Cross, followed by the Veneration of the Cross.
Saturday morning was kept free for some recreation and
fun. There was time for a swim in the natural lake near
the dam of Janaúba and some good food afterwards.
Brazilian ambassadors with their leaders: in the middle Brother Adriano van den Berg and sitting
on the left beside him Brother Albertus Geroda.
9

NEWS Indonesië IN BRIEF
RETREATS BY AND FOR CMM
Associate Member Lex van der Poel presided at a retreat for the Joannes Zwijsen community in Tilburg from
11-13 April. Her reflections were composed around the theme: ‘Elijah, a human being like us’. With the aid of the
Book of Kings participants followed the life of Elijah. Meeting Yahweh on Mount Horeb radically changed his life.
During Holy Week, 17-20 April, Brother Jan Koppens, CMM Provincial of The Netherlands, presented the retreat
for the brothers in Zonhoven, Belgium. The Sisters SCMM, who live in the same house, were also present at the
reflections which he based on the central theme of ‘Brotherhood’. He emphasized that in spite of greying, religious
within their community and close surroundings continue to have a vocation and a mission. After each reflection
a text was given to all for quiet reading and meditation.
APPRECIATION FOR CARE AT
‘JOANNES ZWIJSEN’
On June 9, during the ‘National Hospitality Care Event’
in Ede the annual ‘stars’ were announced. More than
200 care providers – hospitals, care and nursing homes,
GGZ institutions and care restaurants – took part in
the event entitled: ‘Hospitality Care with Stars 2011’.
Tilburg’s residential care facility Joannes Zwijsen
collected three stars out of a maximum score of four.
Members of the jury noted “that priests, brothers,
sisters and the laity are living together under one roof
in a new house with tranquil, wide and well lit corridors
and a magnificent chapel”. The combination of religious
life and ordinary life “has been given here a unique form
and shape”, they judged. The restaurant manages flexible
opening times and offers copious good quality buffet
meals.
‘Joannes Zwijsen’ was built more than two and a half
years ago on the site right next to the Generalate of
CMM, which used to be the location of the former
residential care facility for religious dating back to 1974.
The modern complex for both religious and lay people
offers comprehensive care, treatment and services
for elderly under one roof. The CMM community
‘Joannes Zwijsen’ has found a home there. The religious
background of the centre finds expression in e.g. the
chapel with its pleasant atmosphere and stained glass
windows. The place where the residents come together
is called ‘De Refter’ (Refectory). This is the place for
larger gatherings and activities. It also functions as
the restaurant. Meals can be ordered à la carte.
Residents can call on a variety of forms of care, from
home assistance to very intensive 24/7 nursing care.
The setup is such that residents can remain where
they are even if their need for care intensifies.
Residential care facility ‘Joannes Zwijsen’, in Tilburg.
10

INDONESIA
Fountain on the Janiculum Hill in Rome, next to the church of St’Onofrio,
overlooking the city.
SOURCE OF LIVING WATER
‘Civita Youth Camp’ is a reflection centre for young people in the Indonesian capital Jakarta. Brother Donatus
Naikofi was one of the people who accompanied a youth group that was making their retreat at the centre.
The days of reflection taught them to look with new eyes at their vocation to the religious life.
The name ‘Civita’ has been carefully chosen.
‘Ci’ means water and ‘vita’ means life: Living water.
On the estate of Civita Youth Camp water bubbles up
filling a large pond. It is a source of life for lots of fish,
trees, birds and people who want to enjoy the refreshing
surroundings of the fountain.
Openness
In the Civita Youth Camp thousands of youngsters from
varying backgrounds come to make their retreat.
They feel totally accepted, appreciated and respected
as human beings created by God. The retreat programme
was aimed at spiritual deepening, with as starting point
the idea that the participants would be given space to
get to know themselves better. Experiences, positive
as well as negative, were shared. The openness to one
another made it possible to get rid of negativity and
to learn to bring light to one’s neighbour. I myself
discovered that the motivation for my vocation needed
to be purified and deepened. During the retreat I made
a start with just that by saying only those things I fully
supported in my life.
nets into deep water. That ‘deep water’ is a symbol of
the dark depths in ourselves. When you start ‘fishing’
deeper into yourself you come across unsuspected,
sometimes frightening or hard to understand things.
Still, you can delve into that adventure with confidence,
because Jesus is there in the boat with you. You don’t
have to be scared when the negative in yourself pops up
out of the water. That’s what happened to Peter and he
felt so sinful and unworthy that he wanted to break off
his contact with Jesus. A similar feeling can overwhelm
us too, but when we listen well, we too can hear Jesus
telling us: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will be
catching men.”
Civita has meant a great deal to me. I experienced
the source of living water there and my life has been
refreshed. The retreat opened to me the word of Mary,
Our Lady, Mother of Mercy: “Behold the handmaid of
the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
(Lk 1:38). Hopefully the source of living water in myself
can also become a refreshing stream for others.
Brother Donatus Naikofi
‘Be not afraid’
The story from the Gospel of St Luke (5:1-11) about
Peter, who was asked to throw out his nets into deep
water after a failed catch, touched both myself and
the young people. Jesus invited Peter to throw out his
11

INDONESIA
BACK HOME AGAIN
IN INDONESIA
From the end of the nineteenth century dozens of Dutch brothers lived and worked in overseas missions. Many
became so attached to the land they were sent to, that it became their new fatherland. They didn’t want to live
anywhere else. One of them was Brother Ludolf Bulkmans (1907-2000). He loved Indonesia with heart and soul.
Brother Pieter-Jan van Lierop who worked in Indonesia for many years, describes how Brother Ludolf was forced
to leave the country and how miraculously he could return again.
Soon after the creation of the Republic of Indonesia it was
laid down by law that a principal of a school had to be an
Indonesian citizen. Immediately the brothers who were
school principals applied for this citizenship, which at that
time was still easy to obtain. Brother Bulkmans was not
yet in charge of a school and remained a Dutch citizen.
This he came to regret later because in the 1950’s it was
decided that all teachers had to be Indonesian citizens.
Brother Ludolf, to whom teaching meant so much and who
was completely at home at his station in Manado, North
Sulawesi, had to leave the school. He presented himself
for naturalization and shortly after he successfully passed
the exam for state citizenship. It was now up to President
Soekarno to sign the naturalization papers. That took years.
Very painful farewell
His fellow-brother, Brother Florenciano Janssens, teacher
of Biology at the senior secondary school in Manado,
met the same fate as Brother Ludolf. He was supposed
to repatriate, but he was luckier than his colleague.
At its foundation the Medical Faculty of the State
University of Manado badly needed a qualified lecturer in
Biology. Based on his knowledge and experience Brother
Florenciano received a diploma which allowed him to
become a lecturer for a while. He was sorely needed.
For some years he enjoyed working at the Department
of Medicine. After his naturalization he returned to
the senior secondary school of the brothers, where he
became the principal. Brother Ludolf was home a great
deal; he was bored and from time to time performed
some small jobs in school and in the parish. In the end
it was decided that Brother Ludolf would repatriate on
7 February 1961 in order to go to Surinam, which to him
was a new missionary area. It was a very painful farewell.
For thirty years he had given his very best to
the Indonesian youth; he had survived four years of
cruelty and inhumanity at a Japanese concentration
camp; after that together with his fellow-brothers,
he rebuilt the destroyed brothers’ schools
Brother Ludolf Bulkmans.
12

Brother Ludolf sitting second from right. Six
religious priests and four brothers visiting the
Americans, shortly after the liberation.
Brother Ludolf with his family during a break in 1947.
The Dean of Etten-Leur is giving a speech in his honour.
Miracle
Mid August 1961, after only a few months in The
Netherlands, a miracle happened. Brother Ludolf was
belatedly admitted to become an Indonesian citizen. He
had to present himself to an Indonesian court judge to
complete the process. But right then Holland had no
diplomatic relations with Indonesia because of arguments
about New Guinea. Brother Ludolf then turned to the
Indonesian Embassy in Bonn, where the process (of his
naturalization) could be finalized.
On 12 September 1961, in the presence of a consular
agent and two witnesses he declared the solemn oath on
the Indonesian Constitution to obey all Indonesian laws
and to acknowledge no other state authority than that of
the Republic of Indonesia. Half an hour later he received
his Indonesian passport.
On September 14 he was able to fly from Germany to
Bangkok and from there with another plane to Jakarta.
He received a very warm welcome by families he knew
and by the brothers where he was staying. On 7 October
he firmly set foot in his old location of Manado.
Home at last!!
Brother Pieter-Jan van Lierop
Brother Ludolf Bulkmans with students during a
bicycle tour through the mountains near Manado.
13

THE NETHERLANDS
SPRINGTIME MEETING OF THE
VINCENTIAN FAMILY
On May 18, the twice-yearly meeting of the Dutch Vincentian Family took place in the auditorium of
‘Mater Misericordiae’ of the Sisters SCMM, in Tilburg. The programme had been put together by a steering
committee consisting of Sister Renée Geurts SCMM, Brother Wim Luiten FIC and Brother Ad de Kok CMM.
The first speaker was the Vincentian Father Wiel
Bellemakers, who gave an overview of the growth of
the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity. Taking into
account in a creative, inventive way the laws of Church
and State, Vincent de Paul managed to obtain official
recognition for a new form of religious life. Father
Bellemakers challenged the fifty participants to deal
with the social and economic needs of today in the
same way and with the same creativity as did
Vincent de Paul in his days.
‘You are precious’
The next three speakers showed how they were
deeply moved by the poverty they experienced in their
immediate surroundings, engulfed as they are in the
Vincentian spirituality. Harrie Kiwitz, president of the
food bank in Tilburg, highlighted the causes of poverty
of the people who come to ask for food, such as a large
financial burden of debt, separation and psychological
problems. The food bank comes to the aid of these
people in their deepest need and tries to make concrete
plans with them to get their lives together again.
Betty Karhof, Associate Member of the Brothers CMM
and for many years involved in the Vincent de Paul
Society in Tilburg, observes in her Vincent Shop the
results of a hardening of society which hits especially
the elderly, single mothers, drug addicts, the
handicapped and the unemployed. The motto of the shop
is: ‘You are precious’. She shared how 36 volunteers
are working around the clock to gather funds for
activities such as a fair and the collection of clothes
and toys. Frans Koeman, architect, builder and chairman
of the Vincent de Paul Society, gave an insight in his
‘conversion’ towards the poor, when he was asked
to take on the leadership of the organization in
’s-Hertogenbosch. In the footsteps of Vincent de Paul
he challenges well-to-do people of today and scores
impressive results for the benefit of the poor.
Interactive
Through the questions posed by the participants, the
afternoon became an interactive session with time for
personal reflection and the sharing of reactions from
small groups, followed by the PowerPoint presentation
‘Mercy: Gentle Power – Powerful Gentleness’, based on
Henri Nouwen’s book The Return of the Prodigal Son:
A Story of Homecoming. The book is a meditation on
the painting of The Prodigal Son by Rembrandt.
Brother Edward Gresnigt
Votive light in one of the many prayer centres in
France, where Vincent de Paul is venerated.
(photo: Brother Ad de Kok).
14

INDONESIA
Participants in the Days for Juniors.
JUNIOR DAYS
IN KUPANG
Kupang is the capital of the Indonesian Province Nusa Tenggara, situated in the West of West Timor.
From March 27-31 ‘Junior Days’ were held for brothers in temporary profession of vows. There were
15 participants coming from the communities of Lembata, SoE, Banjarmasin, Tarakan, Gleno and Dili.
Provincial Board-member Brother Nikodemus Tala Lamak, himself one of the speakers at the gathering,
shares with us the following report.
In his opening lecture Brother Yoseph Bille, chairperson
of the committee for junior brothers, emphasized that
the fruits of faith are ‘truth’ and ‘honesty’. He put
before the brothers that the real believer will always
speak the truth, will be honest, will fight for the truth
and will give life and limb for the truth. He invited the
brothers to strive for total honesty.
Motivation
The Provincial Superior of the Brothers CMM in
Indonesia, Brother Martinus Leni, mentioned at
the beginning of the days for temporary professed
brothers that for the past five years the number
of vocations to the religious life in Indonesia
have been decreasing. The Brothers CMM also
have fewer vocations. In addition, many young
15

Stained glass window,
Generalate CMM, Tilburg:
‘Hail Queen, Mother of
Mercy’.
brothers are leaving the Congregation. He added that
some brothers are more occupied with themselves and
with gadgets than with their lives as religious. Brother
Provincial wondered whether this was a reflection of
progressive globalization and he challenged the brothers
to come up with something to counterbalance it.
He stressed the importance of the Days for Juniors.
They offer the young brothers an opportunity to
re-evaluate the motivation of their vocation of living in
community - both locally and in the province. He hoped
that at the end of the Days for the Juniors their
commitment to the Brothers CMM would be strengthened.
Globalization
Provincial Board-member Brother Martinus Mangundap
explained that the Days for the Juniors had been
organized at the initiative of the Provincial Board and
supported by the General Board. The Committee for
the Junior Days of the Province had put together a
programme that will be offered at Kupang, Medan and
Manado. The central question is: What kind of influence
does globalization have on religious life?
Brother Martinus expressed the hope that the brothers
would grasp the opportunity to thoroughly reflect on
this topic of globalization. The results of the gathering
may well provide directives for their work and the living
out of their vocation in the future.
Talking about the call to the religious life Brother
Martinus pointed at the motivation behind the vocation.
In this context he highlighted especially the vow of
chastity. For many religious that has – lately – become
a problem. There are a good number of brothers who
have for this reason asked permission to leave. Brother
Martinus explained how necessary it is to strengthen
the motivation to the religious life. “Do we live close
enough to the poor, the powerless and the suffering so
that our responsibility for them will help us to remain
faithful to our vocation?”
Solidarity
The Archbishop of Kupang, Peter Turang, spoke some
tough words at the Junior Days. It would be better for
the active religious life to disappear, he reckoned, if
it has no clear purpose and goal. “Communities and
even the Church community become poisoned”, he
said in very plain language. The archbishop described
religious life as “a vehicle to proclaim the gospel in
the world, especially in the world of education, so that
the students may grow into people who are able to
contribute to the life of society”. Central to religious life
16

is solidarity, “the practice of love”, according to
Bishop Peter Turang.
“That solidarity ought to permeate religious life, so that
the religious will be able to stand with other people
in solidarity. Essential is their relationship with God.
It is there that respect for the talents and uniqueness
of others, and true brotherhood develops. Religious life
needs to be characterized by hospitality, cooperation
and appreciation for the role and place of the other
person. All this makes religious happy people who are
aware of their identity.”
Relation with God
The growing impact of globalization on the life of a
brother is “quite diverse and is judged differently from
one brother to another”, said Provincial Board-member,
Brother Nikodemus Tala Lamak. “Modern means of
communication have changed community life. It used to
be that to contact another person you had to meet
him/her face to face; now you send an sms or use your
cell phone, even if that person is only a door away
in the brotherhouse. That can work detrimental to
brotherhood in the community. We live our vocation
in a world surrounded by things that make life easier,
but which can become temptations at the same time.”
“How do we best fit in this global, postmodern world”,
asked Brother Nikodemus. He called on the brothers to
remain faithful to the charism and spirituality of the
Congregation, “through caring for the poor as merciful
brothers, especially for the young whose future looks so
bleak and void of opportunities”.
Brother Yoseph Bille focused in on the influence of
globalization on prayer life. “Prayer concerns our
relationship with God”, he stressed. “It frequently
happens that prayer becomes a matter of routine, it
does very little to you and as a result you don’t put
much time into that relationship. God will get sad,
because it is exactly in relationship with Him we are
able to be ourselves. Too often God can only observe
how we forget him and become more and more
creatures ‘of the world’. That increasingly globalized
world rarely refers to God. Thus people grow away
from their origin and destiny. It is quite a challenge
to maintain our relationship with God and strengthen
it. But it is immensely gratifying when we experience
progress in that area, because then we may live,
accompanied by our God of Love.”
Inspiring
At the end of the five Days for Juniors each of the
brothers in temporary profession of vows made a plan
to bring it into practice in the immediate future. After
this there was opportunity to evaluate the meeting.
There were nothing but positive reactions. The brothers
were excited about the ‘reunion aspect’ of the days
and the ample space given them to exchange feelings
and experiences. The input of the leaders was seen as
particularly inspiring and motivating.
Brother Nikodemus Tala Lamak
Left: Brother Yoseph Bille,
chairperson of the CMM
Committee for Juniors.
Right: Brother Martinus Leni,
Provincial Superior
of Indonesia.
17

THE NETHERLANDS
KENYA ACTION
EINDHOVEN PUPILS
DELIVER € 40.000,-
On June 7, 8, and 9 Sint-Joris College in Eindhoven organized a ‘sponsored’ appeal for the benefit of the Oyugis
Integrated Project (OIP) of the Brothers CMM in Kenya. Every two years since 1991 the school organizes a fund
raiser for OIP. The Foundation ‘Wilde Ganzen’ (Wild Geese) increases the collected amount. The activities are
meant to increase the awareness of pupils for the less privileged in the developing world. This time the action
delivered 40.000,-, this was € 10.000,- more than in 2009.
More than half of the Kenyans in the region around
Oyugis are affected with HIV, the virus that causes the
fatal disease Aids. OIP was founded to prevent Aids,
to accompany people with HIV and to take care of
Aids widows and Aids orphans. By means of the Kenya
activities the school has in previous years contributed
to the building of three secondary schools, the placing
of the inventory and the purchase of necessary
educational materials. Dormitories have been built
for the boarding facility and with the assistance
of Eindhoven a library has been realized and water
reservoirs have been placed. This year money was
collected for among other things the interior of a
dormitory and the renovation of some homes. Prior
to the action, General Board-member Brother Lawrence
Obiko visited the school to motivate the students.
Pentathlon
On Tuesday, June 7 at 6:45 AM the ‘Kenya Appeal
2011’started with a pentathlon by class 1C (29 pupils)
under the direction of their mentor Mr. Rob van der
Laan, physical education teacher. The pentathlon
consisted out of bicycling 12 km, swimming 1 km,
indoor climbing, inline skating 10 km, again bicycling
12 km and one hour streetdance at the end. Class 1C
raised with this action the enormous amount of
€ 24.932,50. For Mr. Rob van der Laan, who retires
next year from the school, it was his seventh and last
fundraising activity. On June 8, Brother Broer Huitema,
the Superior General was present at the ‘Kenya evening’.
Cars were washed, pancakes baked, there was indoor
bicycling, an auction, and a lottery. A student band took
care of the entertainment.
‘Flashmob’
Another activity for Kenya was the performance of
the largest flashmob in The Netherlands on June 9.
(a flashmob is a (large) group of people that gathers all
of a sudden at a public place, does something unusual
and ‘in a flash’ disappear again.) At 12:00 o’clock more
than 1300 pupils performed at the 18 September Square
in the centre of Eindhoven the hit ‘Waka Waka’ dance
they had practiced, of Shakira.
Two pupils, with chaperones, will visit Kenya this
summer, to see with their own eyes what the combined
school has held the fundraising activities for. At the
start of the new school year they will share their
experiences with the pupils of the Sint-Joris College.
Picture of the ‘Flashmob’ in Eindhoven.
With their sport activities
the pupils of 1C collected an
enormous amount.
18

NEWS IN BRIEF
OPENING BOARDING SCHOOL OYUGIS
The Superior General, Brother Broer Huitema, opened the ‘St. Vincent de Paul Boarding School’ in Oyugis, Kenya
on March 3. This boarding school for boys came about through the sponsorship activities of Sint-Joris College in
Eindhoven, in collaboration with the ‘Wild Geese’ Foundation. The building was blessed by the parish priest
Father Martin Oyugi. The Aids orphans, who had to walk one and a half hours back and forth to school each day,
now reside at the boarding school. During the official part of the opening ceremony the students expressed their
gratitude for the work of the students from Eindhoven and expressed their hope that they also could furnish the
beds, mattresses, water and electricity facilities. The sponsorship activities of Sint-Joris College on June 7, 8, and 9
were meant for that purpose (see page 18).
Brother Broer Huitema unveils the plaque at the boarding school St. Vincent de Paul. To the left of him, in
the background is the parish priest Father Martin Oyugi. The person with the camera is Brother Lawrence
Obiko, General Board-member. To his left is Brother Leo van de Weijer, Deputy of the brothers in Kenya.
5000 EUROS FOR
BROTHERS’ REFUGEE CENTRE
In the Vincent Shop, a project of the Vincent de Paul
Society in Tilburg, second-hand items are sold, which
have been donated by the people of Tilburg. All income
of the shop, after deducting the expenses, is earmarked
for projects across the globe, but especially to combat
poverty in Tilburg. The Vincent Shop organized a market
on May 21; the profits went to two worthy causes:
the foundation ‘Broodnodig’ (Bread for the needy),
of the well-known Father Poels in Tilburg, which
supplies many people with bread and groceries, and
‘De Vuurhaard’ (The Hearth), the refugee centre of the
brothers’ community in Udenhout. The market provided
5000 Euros for the refugee centre. In a letter of
gratitude, addressed to the leadership and volunteers
of the Vincent Shop the brothers from Udenhout wrote:
“We of ‘De Vuurhaard’ are flabbergasted by the
awesome results of your market activities. We realize
that you not only provide fantastic service to the
people of Tilburg with your shop. You also look across
the confines of Tilburg. This time ‘De Vuurhaard’ came
on your horizon. Thank you so much. Thank you
that you saw, were moved and got into action.”
19

NEWS IN BRIEF
‘Transformation’, a work of
art, and in the background
the buildings of ZIN
(picture by Jeroen Olthof).
A WORK OF ART FOR ZIN
The festive unveiling of ‘Transformation’, a work of art in corten steel, bronze and concrete, of artist Jeroen Olthof,
took place at the reflection centre ZIN in Vught on May 25. Jeroen worked in the guest studio of ZIN in 2010 and
got acquainted with the Congregation of the Brothers CMM. Ten years ago the brothers founded the centre ZIN,
a community for meaning and work. In gratitude for his residency he made this work of art, which was also made
possible by Publishing House Zwijsen, a company originally founded by the Congregation.
VOCATION SUNDAY IN
OYUGIS, KENYA
During the two Eucharistic celebrations, held in the
parish church of Oyugis on May 15, special attention
was given to the 48th Vocation Sunday in the Roman
Catholic Church. Four communities, including two of the
Brothers CMM, together with the parish priest the Rev.
Martin Oyugi, prepared the liturgy of the day.
The petitions for both celebrations were prepared and
read by Brother Vincent Odhiambo Oguok and a sister.
The offertory gifts were brought to the altar by
Brother Erick Nyakundi Nyamwaro and Brother Philemon
Ratemo. After the homilies, Brother Leo van de Weijer
read the message of Pope Benedict XVI for Vocation
Sunday. The theme of the message was ‘The promotion
of vocations in the local church’. In this message
the pope emphasized the importance of prayer for
vocations. Afterwards Brother Leo spoke about his own
personal experience in 1954 when he was a pupil in
the sixth grade of the elementary school.
On March 19, feast day of Saint Joseph, Brother Leo
went for a day of prayer to Smakt in Limburg. This town
honours Joseph, patron saint of vocations. Afterwards
he experienced the strength to go to a brothers’ school,
which was founded for young people with an interest in
the religious life of a brother. After his presentation he
asked for a few moments of silence and personal prayer
for vocations. He invited those present to pray for
vocations at home as well. At the end of both liturgical
celebrations, all the religious members introduced
themselves to the congregation. After the celebrations
the idea was born to create a vocation team, in which
the representatives of the four communities and the
parish priest could combine their efforts to create
interest for the religious life.
20

IN MEMORIAM
NEW BOOK
BROTHER
HERMENEGILDUS
BERIS
Brother Hermenegildus Beris made a new
contribution to the historiography of the church
history of Namibia. He wrote the history of the
Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Immaculate
Conception (SMIC), whose work will span 50 years in
Namibia in 2012. The title of his book is: Epiphany in
Namibia: A History of the Missionary Sisters of Mary
Immaculate in Namibia. Back in 1996, he published
already the historiography of the mission in Namibia,
with a focus on the Archdiocese of Windhoek and
the Apostolic Vicariate of Rundu. In addition, Brother
Hermenegildus published books on the history of the
Diocese of Keetmanshoop, which appeared in 2001,
2003, and 2007. In 2009, the author published a
book on the missionary work of the Brothers CMM in
Namibia: Mission Between Deserts: A History of the
Brothers CMM in Namibia.
Brother Hermenegildus
with his new book.
BROTHER
OPTATO (J. J. P.) VAN OORSCHOT
He was born in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, on April
11, 1921 and entered the Congregation of the Brothers
of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy in Tilburg on August 29,
1939. He made his profession for life on August 15,
1944. He died on February 6, 2011 in the community
of Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg and was buried at the
brothers’ cemetery at the Estate Steenwijk in Vught,
The Netherlands.
Brother Optato lived for a long time in Oss and worked
as a teacher in the elementary school system. He was a
delightful teacher for the children and a great colleague
for the other teachers. Besides his school assignment he
was an assistant group leader at St. Nicholaas Boarding
School in Oss as well. He was a true community person,
a man of social interaction and community. Until the
last weeks of his life, when it was hardly possible,
he was still present at the community prayer, the
meals and recreation. He was a man full of humour,
including self mockery when it concerned his pains
and burdens. He suffered much during the last years
of his life. Luckily he was of clear mind until his death.
With enthusiasm, humour and an enviable optimism he
completed his journey to the joy of his fellow-brothers
and care givers.
Brother Optato loved his family. He was an affable
resident for those who nursed him and took care of him.
Always attentive, he kept doing many things himself,
liked to surprise others, and did not want to bother
them more than necessary. All this made him a beloved
human being with his family, his fellow-brothers and his
former pupils and colleagues.
21

IN MEMORIAM
BROTHER
Ko (J.J.M.) Janssen
BROTHER
Jan (J.H.W.) Spaninks
He was born in Zwolle on December 15, 1923 and
entered the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady,
Mother of Mercy in Tilburg on August 29, 1940.
He made his profession for life on August 15, 1945.
He died on May 26, 2011 in the community of Joannes
Zwijsen in Tilburg and was buried at the brothers’
cemetery at the Estate Steenwijk in Vught,
The Netherlands.
Brother Ko had a teacher’s career from 1944 till 1983.
He worked as a teacher in the elementary school system
in Tilburg, Oisterwijk, Leeuwarden and Zwolle. He read
and studied his whole life long. The secrets of the
cosmos interested him till his old age. The miracles
of technology fascinated him. He observed life.
Observation gave him more joy than participation.
The order of the world around him occupied him.
He explored their meaning and their interrelatedness.
Brother Ko was a conscientious and loyal religious man.
According to the spirituality of the Congregation he
lived frugally and simply, was friendly and modest,
and demanded little from his fellow-brothers.
The Congregation was dear to him. He was grateful for
the constancy and rest offered him by the residential
care facility Joannes Zwijsen. He had a good relationship
with his family, both in The Netherlands and abroad.
The life’s journey of Brother Ko ended quite
unexpectedly. We would have enjoyed his company
much longer. We let him go now in faith so that the
Merciful One who looked after him, may take him
in his greatest mystery, his love that knows no end.
He was born in Tilburg on July 5, 1928 and entered
the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother
of Mercy in Tilburg on August 29, 1946. He made his
profession for life on August 15, 1951. He died on
June 13, 2011 in the community of Joannes Zwijsen
in Tilburg and was buried at the brothers’ cemetery at
the Estate Steenwijk in Vught, The Netherlands.
Brother Jan was apprenticed as a tailor, but has
been active in the Congregation as a cook and caretaker
of sick and elderly fellow-brothers. He considered the
long time he spent in Vught, where he was responsible
for the housekeeping of the small community, as the
happiest days of his life. Brother Jan thrived on social
contacts. He was attentive and enjoyed a good
conversation. He had a fine relationship with his family.
Brother Jan encountered a great deal of suffering during
his life. His youth was strongly effected by his mother’s
illness. Later on, it turned out that he himself physically
speaking was not strong. He endured many operations
and could elaborate extensively about them. The last
three years were both spiritually and physically very
demanding. Fellow-brothers, care givers, family
members and friends visited him and encouraged him.
However, Brother Jan walked the last part of his life
primarily by himself. He was not afraid of death, and
during the last couple of months he even welcomed
death. On the Second Day of Pentecost, he passed
away quietly while sitting in his chair, freed from all
pain, freed from all darkness. His face radiated peace.
He had reached his final destination.
22

SOURCES
‘SALVE REGINA,
MATER
MISERICORDIAE’
A song for the road
The popular image of Zwijsen implies that he is a sensible and a practical man. In modernday
language we would call him a type of manager. He was, beyond doubt, someone with an
organizational talent and a feeling for ‘networking’. But there is more. It was for a very good
reason that Zwijsen made ‘mercy’ the key word for his congregations. As the founder he himself
lived with passion and pragmatism. And with his followers he emphasized the ‘soft forces’, with
compassion as core value.
According to the seminary archives, Zwijsen functioned
as cantor during the liturgy when he was a seminarian.
The hymn Salve Regina must have been especially dear
to him. Deliberately he gave his brothers and sisters
Mary, precisely as Mother of Mercy, as patron saint
and protector. All this shows that he had also an eye
and a heart for needs and tears, and also for warmth
and tenderness.
Is it therefore surprising that the sisters and brothers,
following in the footsteps of Zwijsen, experience the
hymn Salve Regina as their signature tune as their
beloved greeting to the Mother of Mercy on their life’s
journey? They themselves and the people they care for,
feel themselves secure by the Mother of Mercy.
Brother Harrie van Geene
23

Our encounter with Him
takes place in work and rest,
in anxiety and in peace,
in joy and in sorrow.
(from the Rule of Life of the Brothers CMM)
Magazine of the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy
24