COLUMBAN LAY MISSIONARIES - PHILIPPINES: Naanise Mounga, Lay Missionary from Tonga

WHO ARE THE COLUMBANS

The Missionary Society of St. Columban, better known as the Columbans, is a Catholic Missionary Society founded by two young Irish priests. When they heard about the religious situation in China, with its multitude of people still untouched by the gospel, they gave up everything and started a new missionary society which they initially called the Maynooth Mission to China. The Columbans found others who had a similar vision and in 1920 started to meet the challenges of language and culture to share the suffering of China's poor.

The Columbans came to the Philippines in 1928.The Columbans are composed of priests, sisters and lay missionaries. The Columban priests have their headquarters in Hong Kong, while the sisters and lay missionaries have theirs in Ireland.

WHAT IS THE COLUMBAN LAY MISSION?

The Columban Lay Mission is an exchange of lay missionaries between the Philippines and other countries where Columbans work. It has a sending and receiving program. The sending program starts with the selection of candidates, orientation program, until lay missionaries return spiritually enriched by their experience in their mission areas.In 1978 lay volunteers arrived in the Philippines. As a response, three Filipina women served the Church in England for six years in the 1980s. The next team, composed of three active women parishioners, were sent to Pakistan. At present, there are 23 Filipino lay missionaries working in Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Ireland, Taiwan, Korea, and Britain. The Philippines received its first lay missionaries from Korea in June 1990. At present, there is 1 Fijian, 1 Tongan, 1 Korean and 3 Peruvians serving in different parishes in Luzon and Mindanao.

HOW TO JOIN THE COLUMBAN LAY MISSION?

REQUIREMENTS

Committed Catholic;
Graduate of a 4-year degree;
Healthy;
Between 23 and 40 years old;
Single or married, male or female;
Mature, joyful, life-giving, good in teamwork, with a passion for life;
With work and pastoral experience;
Willing to join others for a nine-months orientation program;
Willing to commit at least three years to serve and learn from peoples of another culture, language or religion.

STEPS

Write a letter to the CLM coordinator expressing your interest to know more about the Columban Lay Mission

Join a "come and see" or information day where those interested can have the chance to interact with other applicants and Columban Lay Missionaries, therefore learning more about the Columban Lay Mission;

Complete a personal profile form;

Undergo an accompaniment period of 6 months to one year;

Undergo a battery of psychological & intelligence tests, and personal appearances before the Admission Board.

WHAT IS THE ORIENTATION PROGRAM ABOUT?

The orientation program starts June of each year and lasts nine months. Its two goals are to develop teamwork and cultural sensitivity. The focus here is primarily on the person then on to the context of mission. This is a period of mutual discernment for the Columbans and the LM-trainee concerned. The orientation program includes:

1. Eleven weeks Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in one of the hospitals in Manila.

2. Christology, Scriptures, Theology, Prayers, Creation Spirituality, Missiology, Catechetics , Human Development, and Creative Liturgy

3. Exposure to the different ministries of the Columbans and other religious congregations and immersion in an apostolate of their choice.

The 9 months orientation end with a directed retreat and vacation. Then their own Christian Communities promise their support and prayers at appropriate “sending ceremonies”.

WHAT DO COLUMBAN LAY MISSIONARIES DO?

Lay Missionaries are engaged in catechesis and bible studies, family life, youth, women, children and prison ministries. Others are involved in programs for migrants, elderly, environment and care for creation, differently abled persons. Still others are engaged in inter-faith dialogue, health and livelihood programs.
Lay missionaries also take time to reflect on their life's journey. They join workshops and seminars, e.g., that which foster better understanding among cultures. They too study so that they are more effective in their chosen ministries. Once a year they come together to share their mission and personal experience by way of the annual gathering. This is the time to strengthen bonds, build bridges, and discuss issues of common concern.

WHAT IS THE RECEIVING PROGRAM?

The Columban Lay Missionaries-Philippines does not only send Filipino Lay Missionaries overseas. We also receive lay missionaries from other countries. These foreign lay missionaries are assigned either in Luzon or Mindanao. Those assigned in Luzon learn Tagalog and those in Mindanao learn Cebuano. The Philippines received its first lay missionaries in June 1990 from Korea.

At present, there are six (6) foreign lay missionaries in the Philippines. Lusio (Fiji) used to work with the prison ministry in Zambales and Nani (Tonga) with the community-based rehabilitation in Zambales. Both just arrived from their home vacation and will soon do refresher course on Tagalog before taking on their new ministries. Kyung Ja (Korea) works with the Columban Fathers' Justice and Peace ministry with focus on migrants. In Mindanao, Marisol (Peru) work with children with special needs. Ana (Peru) and Antonio (Peru) work with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul helping the poor and the marginalized.

Naanise Mounga, Lay Missionary from Tonga

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