Myanmar Mission

Every year on the feast of St. Columban (November 23) the people would also celebrate their harvest thanksgiving. And they would formally bring their harvest gifts (a portion of the harvest) to the Columbans. It was a beautiful tradition which continued after the Columbans were forced to leave. The people now brought their gifts to the bishop, priests and religious sisters and brothers. This year they choose to combine that celebration with the Columban Centenary Celebration and there was genuine joy that there were nine Columbans there together with the bishop, priests and religious to receive their gifts. And the two day celebration (November 17-18) coincided with the eleventh anniversary of the inauguration of the Diocese of Banmaw (Nov 17) and the episcopal ordination of its first bishop, Bishop Raymond (Nov 18). So, much to celebrate!

From the Mission Unit Coordinator

Welcome to the Columban Myanmar Mission Unit Blog.

In 2018 we celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Columbans. The theme chosen for the year of celebrations is Sharing Gospel Joy. It is fitting that we are now sharing that joy online as well as in person.
In 1936 the Vatican asked the Columbans to open a mission in Myanmar, in what would eventually become the diocese of Miitkyina in Kachin state. The first group of 8 Columbans arrived in the Autumn of 1936. Those early Columbans were all under the age of thirty except one. They were all men, all priests and all from Ireland. Today the new group of Columbans in Myanmar are men and women Lay and Ordained from Chile, Ireland, Korea and the Philippines. This group reflects the changes that have happened in the Columbans over the past 100 years. We are smaller in number but we have a new strength that is found in diversity. One thing has remained the same, our commitment to bearing witness to the Gospel especially among the poor. We now realize that this commitment to the poor involves a commitment to caring for the exploited earth.

In 1936 the Columbans were the driving force in the Diocese of Myitkyina. Now we are a supporting and perhaps sometimes challenging presence in the Local Church in Mandalay, Banmaw and Myitkyina. I am sure those early Columban are delighted that we are back but especially that we are now inviting young men to consider a vocation to be a priest missionary with the Columbans.

This Blog will be a space where we can share what is happening in our mission unit. I hope you are inspired by the stories you will read here and that you will keep us in your prayers.

Fr. Eamon Sheridan
Mission Unit Coordinator.

Myanmar Mission

Posts

A Celebration “Beyond Wonderful”