brothers CMM

the netherlands
at them. I am amazed that this building was made
possible through the contributions made by the citizens
of Chartres. Such an impressive community project! But
I also read that during the building money often ran out
and the work was interrupted frequently.
I am glad to have visited this beautiful cathedral. I
know now what the people of Chartres have done in
God’s honour. Much is asked of me, as a brother. But I
will accept it gladly inspired by the men and women of
Chartres who built their magnificent cathedral.
Brother Nobertus Dake
frater Nobertus Dake
spirituality of the Congregations in our countries. I
could also quench my spiritual thirst with the wisdom
of the older brothers and sisters in our Congregations.
They grow old in a charming manner because they
can look back with due satisfaction to what they have
contributed to their Congregations. One of them said:
“Your presence gives us the certainty that our charism
will continue, when we are no longer there.” When
I heard this I felt an enormous responsibility resting
on our shoulders, but I also realized that unavoidably
young people embody the hope of their elders. I thank
our older sisters for their trust in us. We will treasure
what you have handed on to us. I ask the young
brothers and sisters to keep on praying for one another
that the torch we carry will always be aflame and that
we – like those who went before us – may at the end
of our lives be left with good and happy memories.
May God make the work of our hands successful.
Sister Julia Bantian (Philippines)
Detail stained-glass
window in the cathedral.
‘Hearts aflame’
Statues in the cathedral
of Chartres.
The Vincentian pilgrimage has set my heart aflame! It
was the most inspiring and enriching experience I have
ever had. All the things I was presented with during my
period of formation now became visible and touchable.
I was able to experience in a very personal way the
charism and spirit of Vincent and Bishop Zwijsen. Every
step of the way, as I found myself at various locations of
the pilgrimage, I could feel the power of their works of
charity and compassion. It led me to reflect on my own
religious journey through life; did I live the virtue of
charity by being compassionate towards those who are
not loved; when did I fail to do so?
This pilgrimage has also brought home to me that the
number of vocations is going down. Each year the
number of sisters becomes less. We have to face the
facts and search for opportunities to allow our charism
to survive. It becomes increasingly urgent for us to
apply Vincent’s and Bishop Zwijsen’s successful method,
by approaching the rich and asking them to practice
works of charity for the benefit of the poor.
Another fruitful outcome of the pilgrimage is the
spirit of connectedness between the young brothers
and sisters. It resulted in comparing the different
cultures and the ways in which we put into practice the
From left to right: Brother Martin Okoth Odide, Sister
Melin Sinak-ey, Father Rafael Isharianto, Brother
Zacheaus Obhiambo, Sister Julia Bantian.
Young brothers and sisters in the museum of the
Sisters SCMM in Tilburg.
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