In memory of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, patroness of the missions, and at the beginning of this missionary month, which we celebrate in the Jubilee Year with various events of animation, I am pleased and grateful to share some reflections on my visit to Asia from September 9 to October 4, 2025.
By Michelangelo Piovano *
As Consolata Missionaries, we are present in South Korea (since 1988), in Taiwan (since 2014), and together with the Consolata Missionary Sisters, in Mongolia (since 2003).
The Beauty of the Mission
The first feeling that arises is that of beauty: the beauty of this mission in Eastern lands, the beauty of Christian life celebrated in the sacraments of Baptism, the Eucharist, and Matrimony, which I witnessed while visiting our parishes. The beauty of nature with its vast landscapes, the great temples and monasteries, and its people; the beauty of so many young people who study, work, and fill the great cities.
It is beautiful to see a young church like that of Mongolia, where during the Sunday celebration in the cathedral, presided over by parish priest Father Dieudonné Mukadi, about twenty catechists were sent forth to care for the formation of 70 children, adolescents, young people, and adults preparing to receive the sacraments of Christian initiation. Each catechist sealed his or her commitment of faith and service on the altar with a signature.
It is beautiful to see, in the Sacred Heart parish of Taiwan where our missionaries serve, the Eucharistic celebration so well prepared – in the service, the hymns, the care of the environment, and the atmosphere. Everyone has a role, sharing gifts and abilities. After the Mass, presided over by Father Caius Moindi, communion continued in the sharing of breakfast, where family and community life were also shared.
It is beautiful to see in Korea the presence of many friends who collaborate with the missionaries in community activities and support, in distributing the magazine, and in missionary animation.
Two lay missionaries, Rosa and Thomas, who had been on mission in Tanzania for three years, now continue to collaborate in animation by sharing their testimony. And two more laypeople, Bernardo and Maxima, will soon depart, again for Tanzania.
Above all, there is the special beauty of the life offered by our missionaries working in these three countries, coming from Africa, America, Europe, and Asia itself. Missionaries of different cultures, countries, and ages who compose the symphony of communion in the family spirit always desired by our Founder, Saint Joseph Allamano. A symphony of instruments that sometimes need tuning, as in every human coexistence, yet each one has its own particular sound that must be harmonized continuously with that of the others.
At the service of this communion and harmony are the superiors of the various communities and the Regional Council, directed by Father Clement Gachoka together with the councillors Father Dieudonné Mukadi and Father Emanuel Temu.
For them too, as General Council, we organised three days of formation to help them further in their service and animation of the Region.
A small presence
A second impression comes from the small size of our presence, of the Church, of the number of Christians on this continent of great religions.
We are like the seed that dies and slowly makes the plant grow, weaving relationships through dialogue, respect, welcome, care for people, and activities in favour of Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation.
It was moving to be welcomed with fraternity by the Buddhist monk of the Arvaikheer monastery, who invited us to visit their place of prayer and meditation, pointing out in a painting at the centre a young boy already designated as the future successor of the Dalai Lama. We found the same portrait in another monastery in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar.
Hospitality is especially lived with the poor, children, women, and migrants. For them, a hot meal is offered, education in preschool or homework assistance, and opportunities to learn handicrafts that can provide a small income. For migrants, the possibility to live their faith and sacramental life in their own language, a service and mission carried out especially in Taiwan and Korea.
Dialogue – the primary missionary attitude in this context – takes place in everyday life, but also in meetings among different religions, in participating in events and activities that help us live universal fraternity.
This is the commitment of our missionaries, and in a special way, of the Cardinal Prefect of Mongolia, Giorgio Marengo.
Silence and Contemplation
A third feeling is spiritual and contemplative. I experienced it during Eucharistic adoration, which missionaries, sisters, and some faithful attend early in the morning in the Chapel/Ger of Arvaikheer. Outside, it is cold, but inside you are welcomed by the warmth of the wood stove and, above all, by the presence of Jesus on the altar. In this silent and contemplative adoration, one understands the meaning of mission in Asia – in the attitude of prayer and contemplation lived by the faithful, more through gestures than words.
During Mass, at the time of the Prayer of the Faithful, prayers of praise, supplication, and intercession flow from their hearts.
In many of our communities and parishes, groups have been formed for prayer, biblical formation, contemplative prayer, and Lectio Divina, and people respond with commitment and interest.
During this visit, I was able to meet and speak with each missionary and each community. I return enriched and with a grateful heart for the life and witness of every one of them. These are the members of the Institute in Asia: Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, Diego, Clement, Daniele, Martino, Pietro, Bernardo, Giuseppino, Antony, Vincent, Giampaolo, Benigno, James, Caius, Dido, Patrick Okwaro, Geoffrey, Kenneth, Patrick Ngei, Pablo, Lorenzo, Emanuel, Yowashi, and soon Joel and Oscar. And together, in communion with them, the Consolata Missionary Sisters working in Mongolia.
It is up to this small group to live and witness to our charism – with a presence and gestures of consolation, with words of comfort and hope, with dialogue and attentive listening. We entrust them to Our Lady Consolata and ask that this mission, with its particular characteristics, may enrich the whole Institute. A beautiful mission that we desire to be better known and loved, especially by our young people.
I am grateful to the Lord for this visit, and above all, to the missionaries for their warm welcome and fraternity.
Father Michelangelo Piovano, IMC, Vice-Superior General. October 1, 2025, Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
