Asia’s Pioneer Missionary, St. Francis Xavier

No one can ever excel in great things who does not first excel in small.” – St. Francis Xavier. In his lifetime, St. Francis Xavier was known as a great missionary of the Church with the nickname “The Pioneer Missionary of Asia.”

Tirto.id wrote very well the narrative of St. Francis Xavier’s journey to spread Catholicism in Asia on a Portuguese ship. His burning spirit remained steadfast in bringing hope through various Asian countries, i.e. India, Sri Lanka, Malacca, Maluku, Japan, and China. He was born into a wealthy noble family and received a high education. He was also blessed with an exceptionally intelligent mind, making it possible for him to complete his studies in a timely way, graduating from the University of Paris, and at the age of 28, becoming a great professor. Notwithstanding this, he maintained humility and was devoted to his missionary work.

Get to Know Suriname in a Nutshell

Sumatra media wrote that Suriname itself is located between three countries, which are French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and to the north facing the Atlantic Ocean. It is a country with a tropical climate, traversed by the equator and has an area of 163,821 km2. A significant area (around 80%) is still densely surrounded by natural rainforest, as part of the Amazon rainforest. As a comparison, the island of Sumatra is 473,481 km2, almost 3 times larger than Suriname. The CNBC Indonesia also provides information that this country was formerly known as Dutch Guiana, after becoming an independent country, a third of Suriname’s population reportedly migrated to the Netherlands. Suriname has a strong relationship with Indonesia as part of Suriname’s population is of Javanese ethnicity. Interestingly, we still find many citizens who are of Javanese ethnicity today speaking Javanese in their daily communication.

From a religious point of view, the composition of religions practiced by the Surinamese are Hindu (27.4%), Protestant (25.2%), Roman Catholic (22.8%), Islam (19.6%), including Javanism and Animism which the government recognizes, as summarized by Kontan.co.id.

Being a Missionary in the Present Era

Our world is constantly evolving, with technology allowing us to accomplish things in the blink of an eye. Yet, the question is, how is our spiritual faith? Can it grow, bear fruit, and flourish in an instant?

Within months of being a missionary in Suriname, Diocese of Paramaribo, there are many new life experiences.  It is my first experience of being assigned as a missionary, living in a foreign country, in Suriname which is a country located on the north-eastern coast of the South American continent.

The Catholic church life in the country is still relatively slow-growing. I encounter many people who have difficulty believing and having faith in God. There are very few religious missionaries, some of them from Indonesia. The Bishop of Paramaribo invited them to help the church in bringing the Good News to the people.  I like to illustrate the condition as “a ship about to sink.” After the Covid-19 outbreak and the missionaries returning to their respective countries, the Church is without a solid foundation.

The initiative of the Bishop of Paramaribo to invite many consecrated men and women is highly appreciated. A number of congregations, orders, and diocesan priests take part in the missionary work of God.

The FCJM Sisters from the Indonesian Province also respond to the need of the Church by sending their four Sisters.

This mission requires perseverance, patience, and self-denial. They do little things to make a great impact, living with the people and foster their faith.

“We walk with the people and bring them hope by visitation and education in public schools. There no longer exists a Catholic school.”

Mother Teresa was an inspiration to us when we were on mission. She once said “Do small things with great love.” This golden phrase rekindles and energizes our spirits to do simple things.

The pastoral activities that we did, slowly brought a positive impact. More and more people start coming to church.

“By teaching the subject of character in schools, children are more likely to start attending church services” We also provide faith catechesis, promote talent by forming a choir, train them to play music, dance, spiritual poetry in church, and other activities.

“ The children are now joining us with their parents.”

Longing for a Missionary Figure

Many of them long for a missionary figure who can guide them to “return” to their faith in God.

Some said “we parents may find it difficult to come back, but we do hope that our children can return and receive better faith formation from the Sisters.”

Faith formation must start from an early age. At Nickerie, the Sisters help with faith formation for all ages. They teach Sunday school, catechesis on basic Catholic prayers, and promotes loving and caring attitudes towards others.

The presence of the young Sisters has increasingly attracted the participation of the youth. They are interested to see the sisters animating the liturgy creatively with music creating a solemn celebration atmosphere. Music has its own allure in the faith formation of children and young people.

“Music can attract children, young and old to come to church since it gives a new vibe.”

Meanwhile, as a newly professed Sister, I am aware that being a missionary requires self-renewal. I have to let go of my comfort zone and get in tune with the new situation.

“When the world is becoming a world of glamor, we bravely embrace a life of simplicity.”

It is certainly challenging, but essential. Subsequently, I have to learn the language, culture, the values, and the habits of the people and the community to be able to carry out my missionary work.

The life dynamics in the mission area has both joys and challenges. Whoever dares to sail their life canoe will experience of life fulfillment as a missionary. Missionaries’ examples will help us in rowing our canoes to the wider ocean of life.

Written by Sr. M. Valentina Purba FCJM and Sr. M. Angela Siallagan FCJM

Translated by Sr. M. Evifania Sinaga FCJM