I joined the Columban Formation Program in 2014 and studied for two and a half years in the Pacific Regional Seminary in Fiji before moving to the Philippines in 2016 to continue my theological studies. I arrived in Lima, Peru for my First Mission Assignment on June 8, 2019. I went to Cochabamba, Bolivia to learn Spanish and after being there for five months I returned to Lima and immersed myself with the people in the Parish where the Columbans are serving.
My experience with them brought me to a deeper reflection on the experience of Mary, Joseph and the Magi’s in the stable during the birth of Jesus.
Generally, people in this community are not that rich but they are friendly and very accommodating. I love the simplicity of their lifestyles and their way of being “a Church”. Each parish has many “chapels” which is where people gather and worship. Some of the chapels here are quite small and very simple and they are still developing. The people treasure everything they have and they always try their best to get together and glorify God in the best way they can. It was a grace filled and an enriching experience for me to spend Christmas with the people here. My experience with them brought me to a deeper reflection on the experience of Mary, Joseph and the Magi’s in the stable during the birth of Jesus. I could see some resemblance, in the experience of people in this community to the life of Mary, Joseph and the Magi. Like them, these people are always prepared to receive Jesus at any place regardless of the condition. Their central focus is to encounter Jesus, whether in the Eucharist during mass, liturgies, devotional prayers, sacraments, taking holy water after mass or even receiving a blessing from a priest after mass.
As St Columban said, “A life different from ours is our best teacher.”
Reflecting on their way of life and how they express their faith really inspires me to reflect on my own faith journey. First of all, they reminded me of the meaning of being Christian, which means that Christ should always be at the center, regardless of anything else. Secondly, these people also helped me to realize that, to “be a Church” can be very simple, just like the Holy Family. All I need to be “a Church” is, firstly, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who constantly guided Mary, Joseph and the Magi. Secondly, I need, like them, to have a mutual understanding and love for my fellow companions in this journey. Lastly, to be “Church” today, I need to be a man of hope just like the Magi. This will enable me to follow my star and persevere in constantly seeking and serving Christ in the people I encounter regardless of who they are and the situations they are living in. I am really blessed to be in this strange culture which I know will help me to be a better Columban missionary. As St Columban said, “A life different from ours is our best teacher.”
To conclude, I would like to thank my extended family, friends and benefactors and you all for your unending prayers, generosity and sacrifice. Let us pray for each other in order to allow Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, to be in the center of our lives and everything that we do.
Iowane Naio is a Columban Seminarian from Fiji living in Peru.
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