| Missionary Society of St. Columban US

Mindful Moment

This week, I practice letting go of comparisons. I remind myself that my journey is uniquely my own, and comparing myself to others only creates unnecessary stress. I focus on my own path, honoring the progress I’ve made and the lessons I’ve learned. Instead of measuring myself against others, I celebrate my individuality and the steps I’ve taken toward growth. I release the need for external validation and choose to trust in my own process.

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Fall Flowers

Person holds a candle and crucifix during an All Souls' Day remembrance.

Remembrance, Hope and Communion

In the span of two sacred days — All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2) — the Church invites us into a beautiful rhythm of remembrance, hope, and communion.

All Saints’ Day is a celebration of the countless holy men and women — known and unknown — who now rejoice in the presence of God. It reminds us that sainthood is not reserved for the famous or flawless but is the calling of all who live lives of faith, love, and sacrifice. It’s a day of joy, hope, and inspiration as we reflect on the great cloud …

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Stories from Columban Missions

Community march to support immigrants in the UK

Happy Hallow Eve!

Happy Halloween! The phrase came from the phrase, “Hallow Eve.” “Hallow” is an Old English word that means “holy.” It is just like in the Old…

A building in the Fijian wilderness surrounded by palm trees.

Columban Book Launch in Fiji

Columban Fr. Frank Hoare has been on mission in Fiji for over 50 years. On April 4, 2025, his two books, A Missionary Diary and A World of…

A monarch butterfly resting on yellow sunflowers

Encounter with Life

Mirrihue Alto is a rural town located a little more than three miles from the village of Antuco in the Bio-Bio region of southern Chile. Some of…

Diary - In So Many Words

Art and Religion

Art and religion have been intertwined throughout human history, each influencing and shaping the other in profound ways. At their core, both art…

A scenic country road

Pilgrim’s Progress

Fr. Cathal Gallagher recalled the incident vividly. “It was in 1998. I was working in a poor parish in Lima. I got a call from a local clinic, run…

Columban missionaries Sr. Ashwena Apao (left) and Sr. Minerva Dangaran (second from left) and friends in the Philippines.

Under the Narra Tree

In 2016, I spent three months studying at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute. Located in the Occupied Territories, south of Jerusalem, it is possible…

From the Director

Fr. Al Utzig, U.S. Director

Art and Culture

Art and culture and faith – what a broad topic. And it’s a beautiful topic! As Columban missionaries all of us get to leave our homes and go somewhere else to work, to in some way, share our sense of who Jesus Christ is for us and maybe for those people too. And I have to tell you without exaggeration that whether they mean to or not, they share so very much of their faith through their culture with us too. It reminds me of a New Zealand Columban who was assigned to a small parish on the east coast of Korea in the 1970’s. Being freshly …

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Mission News

Students at the Learning Resource Center

Be a Sponsor of Hope

Despite the risks, Columban Fr. Kurt Zion Pala continues his work with students in war-torn Myanmar (formerly Burma). He is desperately seeking…

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Pope Leo XIV

Columban Missionaries Rejoice in Election of Pope Leo XIV

With gratitude to God, we, the Columban Missionaries, rejoice in the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th Pope, greet him with…

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Pope Frances

In Gratitude and Hope

We, the Columban Missionaries, join our voices with people around the world in expressing our deep gratitude for Pope Francis and the Gospel…

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