ArticleMarch2013 Now is the time to celebrate the Irish Missionaries and welcome them home.

By Fr Neal Carlin, Director of Columba Community of Reconciliation It was 1958. A simple lifestyle existed for most people. There was little or no TV and a relative innocence prevailed. We were young, just turned eighteen. There were no careers guidance teachers. Indeed few of us spoke about our futures. That was a private matter. It was generally expected that the few technical schools, later named colleges, would produce the tradesmen and there was also an unexpressed expectation that the diocesan boarding colleges and convents would provide the teachers, doctors, nurses and above all the priests and nuns for home missions and abroad. Indeed the diocesan colleges throughout Ireland were known in Rome as junior seminaries! Some of us tested our vocations to priesthood or religious life in senior seminaries and convents which attempted to prepare us for the Christian mission in the English speaking world both at home and abroad. Others in their hundreds each year joined religious orders or congregations and prepared to be missionaries all over the world. We were courageous young people, some might say nave or foolhardy. Yet we were also caring and generous for the most part as most young people are. And so they went over land and sea full of hope, energy and enthusiasm. Except for the few late vocations many, like young soldiers thrown into battle, learned the trade the hard way or on the hoof and generally matured in the process. Some suffered trauma. Some died young amid the diseases and dangers that they faced. They brought the good news to the poor and still do. They have preached and practised Christs message of freedom from sin, selfishness, slavery and injustice all over the world. As Christians from all Irelands denominations they have shared their talents as teachers, doctors, nurses and developers to bridge the gap between the poor materially and the financially well off. They have helped build bridges of all kinds and have shared the gifts sent to them from the wealthier West. They have also learned so much from the gentle ways of the indigenous people of Asia, Africa, the Americas and India. (In more recent times Eastern Europe has again become a mission field, following the fall of the Berlin Wall. Europe was the main mission field during the first great work of Irelands missionaries when Ireland celebrated its Golden Age (5th-12thcenturies) Back then, as today, the missionary had the difficult task of dealing with the ill effects of colonialism and extreme capitalism. The Roman Empire had just collapsed leaving the oppressed people of Europe vulnerable to the barbarian invasions that followed. The Irish are accredited with bringing a new civilisation and indeed with saving Europe in those days.) When we have had the chance to visit the missions in Africa, Asia or South America, we cannot but be very impressed by the developments and the good people we meet. Two years ago I travelled to Zambia for the sixth time. This time it was to attend to my dying sister and assist there at her funeral. She was a young married teacher and her husband was an architect when they went there over forty years ago intending to stay a few years. There they reared their three children and enjoyed the company of their grandchildren. After the funeral Father Jim, S.M.A. took me out to a mission area and showed me a church, a medical centre, meeting halls and presbytery designed and supervised by Colum, my brother-in-law who died a year earlier. I viewed some of the great work done also by the Irish Aid in Africa.

So we all have every right to be proud of our citizens from Ireland doing such great work abroad. We are delighted to Welcome Home The Missionaries to Donegal and to the IOSAS Centre this summer. IOSAS stands for Island Of Saints And Scholars and is located beside the Celtic Peace Garden that displays the main characteristics of the Celtic saints of the Golden Age. Co-incidentally or God-incidentally we have this gathering coinciding with the 1450th celebration of Columbas first missionary journey from this country to Iona in 563 A.D. As well as inviting foreign missionaries home, we are extending the invitation to all those who have spent time promoting the Gospel in England, Scotland, Wales and the continent. Many missionaries have booked their places with us but some have decided to remain on mission to the end. One of these is a relative of my own whose letter we publish here with his permission: 4th Jan 2013 Dear Fr Neal, Many thanks for your letter of invitation to the Gathering to be held at IOSAS Centre on 9th June 2013. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend. It is two years ago since I was home in Donegal and I am not likely to go again. Although my health is still pretty good, at 92 years of age, the trip is long and I intended to spend the rest of my life here in Africa and be buried with my people. I was sent to South Africa almost sixty years ago to establish the Passionist Order here. It was a difficult assignment not knowing the culture and the different languages but with the help of others who came later we managed, and now we have ten passionist priests and eight students all of them African. After so many years here, I would find it difficult to go back and settle in Ireland. This is now my home. I wish you and all who have gathered at IOSAS on 9th June every success and may God bless the Apostolate and the good work that you are doing. You will be in my prayers and Masses. Keep me and my people in your Masses and prayers. Greetings to all your family. Father Kieran C.P.

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