Kuching, Malaysia. From January 3 to 5, 2024, the Malaysian Claretian Missionary Encounter was held at the Gethsemane Pilgrimage Centre in St. Jude’s Parish, Bunan, Kuching, Malaysia. The event was attended by Fr. Mathew Vattamattam, CMF, the General Superior of the congregation, and Fr. Jesu Doss, CMF, Provincial Superior of Chennai Province. The gathering provided a platform for reflection on the theme of “Rooted in Christ and Claretian Charism Audacious in Mission.” It was attended by nine Claretian missionaries in Malaysia: Fathers Pratap Baskey, Prince Cornelius, Arockiaraj, Alex Anantharaj, Kulanthai Selvan, Kulandai Yesu Rajan, Philip Prabhakaran, Jikhoriyo Nayak, and Shyam, CMFF. The event offered a unique opportunity for the missionaries to delve into the synodal aspects of their Claretian community and its relevance to life in Malaysia.
During the encounter, Father Mathew stressed the importance of synodality in promoting communal growth and inclusivity. He invited the missionaries working in the dioceses of Kuching, Miri, and Sibu to share their experiences and challenges in their various ministries. He explained that the Synodal journey comprises three aspects: communion, mission, and participation. The General also encouraged the participants to reflect and share their thoughts in group sessions on mission, communion, spirituality, formation, and the economic situation of the missionaries in Malaysia. Finally, the group watched the films “Claret” and “Face of the Faceless,” which are based on the life of Blessed Rani Maria, and shared their inspirations and reflections.
Fr. Mathew also encouraged the participants to cultivate positive habits, embrace the values of listening, forgiveness, and the mystical heart and regularly read books and the Bible. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening fraternity and reminded everyone to acknowledge themselves as Sons of the Heart of Mary. He admitted that individuals in the community may have diverse influences and encouraged them to allow space and time for understanding and acceptance. He also discussed the challenges faced by new missionaries in foreign countries and emphasized the importance of accommodating and supporting them. Fr. Mathew suggested preparing a basic guidebook to learn the local languages to help the new missionaries. He consistently emphasized the importance of ongoing formation and suggested exploring online classes conducted by the congregation and others. Lastly, he advised the group to concentrate on fostering local vocation.
On the other hand, Fr. Jessu Doss, CMF, emphasized the significance of communion and mission in the life of Claret and invited the congregation to reflect on it.
The Malaysian Claretian Encounter served as a transformative experience, deepening the understanding of synodality within the congregation and its application to the Malaysian context. It fostered a sense of unity and purpose, inspiring missionaries to carry the spirit of synodality into their ongoing journey of communal living and mission.
THE CLARETIAN MISSION IN MALAYSIA
The Claretians in Malaysia are devoted to various ministries, including parishes, migrants, youth, schools, socio-communication, and retreat centers. The missionaries face multiple challenges in their work, such as managing several substations, overcoming language barriers, adapting to local cultures, and navigating difficult terrain. Nevertheless, despite these obstacles, the missionaries remain dedicated and content in their mission of evangelization.
Source: Fr. Kulandai Yesu Rajan, CMF
