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First, let me tell you a little about our goals as a Catholic missionary society. The year 2008 marks the 90th anniversary of our Columban Society. Our organization was founded in 1918 to evangelize the Chinese people, but that was just the beginning. Over the years, our call to serve our Lord and the Catholic Church has expanded. Today, the Missionary Society of St. Columban seeks to establish the Catholic Church where the Gospel has not been preached, help local churches evangelize their laity, promote dialogue with other faiths, and foster among all baptized people an awareness of their missionary responsibility. Long haunted by a desire to be a missionary, Father Edward Galvin traveled to China in 1912, only three years after his ordination as a Catholic priest.
Our organization was founded in 1918 to evangelize the Chinese people, but that was just the beginning. Over the years, our call to serve our Lord and the Catholic Church has expanded.
In China, Fr. Galvin was appalled at the poverty he found, but he was even more shocked by the spiritual poverty. Here were millions of people who knew nothing of Jesus Christ because of the lack of missionaries. Despite great enthusiasm and dedication, there was only so much one priest could do by himself. More missionaries were needed. He wrote letters to his friends back home in Ireland seeking help. In 1916, two priests joined him, but they soon realized that if they were to have any lasting effect, they needed to set up an organization. So they urged him to go home and organize a new mission society. In June 1916, Fr. Galvin traveled to the United States and visited priest friends and bishops, sharing his plans with them. In August, he sailed to Ireland where he got his first recruits. By October, the new Society numbered eight priests. St. Columban was chosen as the model of mission for the new society. That humble beginning became an abundant fountain of grace within the Church as Columban mission has grown in ways that could not have been foreseen 90 years ago. It was only two years later, on June 29, 1918, that the Society of St. Columban was formally approved, with the blessing of Pope Benedict XV. Since then, the Columban family (priests, Sisters and laity) has produced abundant fruit as a great host of people have become involved in this work of love that has spread to 14 nations. “This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23). From the beginning, our missionary society was driven by the desire to obey Christ’s mandate to “go and teach all nations.” We bring His message of hope and salvation to the poorest among the poor, never forgetting the Lord’s own words: “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).
This year, we mark our 90th anniversary. This is certainly an occasion to give thanks to the God of all mercies both for the gift of the Lord’s call and for the abundant spiritual harvest, which has come to the Church and the world through our work.
This year, we mark our 90th anniversary. This is certainly an occasion to give thanks to the God of all mercies both for the gift of the Lord’s call and for the abundant spiritual harvest, which has come to the Church and the world through our work. Mission is a story about people of faith on fire with the love of God. Columban missionaries are privileged to be a part of this story. But the story is far from over: more chapters are to be written through the lives of future missionaries. My prayer is that you might join us in being missionary in whatever form is right for you. Please explore our website to learn more about how you can join in and support our work. We pray that God is calling you. Gratefully yours in Christ,
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On behalf of Columban missionaries worldwide, we welcome you to the website for the U.S. Region of the Missionary Society of St. Columban.
