Deepl Translation:

Mechernich – Three weeks is not a long time. And yet it can be enough to change people. It is with this impression that the Ugandan priest John Baptist CSC and Martin Atwiine, a family man, are now returning to their homeland.

For a total of four weeks, the two guests lived at the motherhouse of the Ordo Communionis in Christo in Mechernich alongside the sisters, priests and members of the community; they took part in church services, prayer sessions and discussions, and gained a first-hand understanding of the charism of the founder, Mother Marie Therese.

The visit was arranged by the Ugandan priest John Paul Jjumba, who, like the Superior General, Father Jaison Thazhathil, had commenced a licentiate in theology in Sankt Augustin. At the end of the visit, the guests met in the conference room of the Motherhouse with Father Jaison, his deputy, Deacon Manfred Lang, Spiritual Director Father Rudolf Ammann ISch, Sister Lidwina and Sister Shelly for an in-depth exchange of experiences.

For Father John Baptist, who will celebrate his tenth anniversary as a priest on 7 January 2027 and works for the Congregation of the Holy Cross in Uganda, the conclusion was clear from the outset: “I am very happy to have been here.” He was particularly impressed by what cannot be described in terms of buildings or programme items: “What touched me most were the sense of community, the warmth of the people and the prayer.”

Rediscovering spiritual life

During his stay, he not only became acquainted with the spirituality of the Communio, but also rediscovered his own spiritual life. In particular, the daily reflection on the Rule of the Order and the opportunity to pray the Rosary mindfully, including all four mysteries – the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious – gave him new strength.

He also described the pilgrimage in the footsteps of Mother Marie Therese in her native Netherlands as a particular highlight: “For me, that was like a fresh burst of energy.” Even more important, however, was the inner experience. The days in Mechernich had once again brought home to him just how indispensable prayer is for a priest – and how closely it is linked to the way people actually interact with one another.

“It’s not just about believing. It’s about putting faith into action,” said Father John Baptist CSC in the closing discussion, which he noted would not be the end: “This realisation will accompany us to Uganda.” Martin Atwiine put it in much the same way: “The past three weeks have transformed my inner life.”

One experience in particular challenged Father John Baptist. Christian love does not begin only where there is sympathy: “In future, I want to make a more conscious effort to reach out to people I perhaps do not like very much. It is precisely in this that it becomes clear whether we are truly living out the Gospel.” He was equally and deeply impressed by the Superior General’s humility: “I have never before encountered a Superior General who is so humble.”

“Father Jaison moved me deeply”

The fact that Father Jaison would naturally join in the kitchen after meals, washing and drying the dishes, moved him deeply. For him, this was not a trivial detail, but spirituality in action, “prayer in action”.

Among John Baptist’s lasting memories are also the visit to the centenary celebrations of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary in Maria Rast, the encounter with the Salvatorians in Steinfeld, and the visits to those churches closely linked to the life of the Foundress, Mother Marie Therese.

Martin Atwiine, who is married, the father of three children and head of children’s ministry in the Holy Cross Congregation, also speaks of a journey that far exceeded his expectations. Even before the trip, he had spoken at length with John Paul Jjumba about the Communio in Christo. One word kept coming back as the central theme: love.

“I believe that was when the first spark was kindled in my heart,” said Martin Atwiine in conversation with the Communio leadership team. Nevertheless, he did not want to hear explanations alone. Martin Atwiine recalled Jesus’ invitation in the Gospel of John: “Come and see.” That was precisely what they had wanted to do in Mechernich.

He wanted to experience how the people in the Communio live together, how they put their faith into practice in everyday life, and how Mother Marie Therese’s charism is realised in concrete terms, including in their life together with those in need of care in the facilities. Martin Atwiine: “We wanted to see, learn and understand.” He was particularly impressed by the love that shapes life within the community.

“The most important thing is love”

“I am convinced that Mother Marie Therese carried love in her heart,” he told the Superior General and his staff. For him, active charity is the true “trial by fire” of Christian life. During his stay, he meditated at length on the life of the Foundress: “In the end, I always came back to the same realisation: the most important thing is, and always will be, love.”

Their expectations of the trip had been more than fulfilled. “We wanted to see, learn and understand. Now we would like to learn even more, understand even more and allow ourselves to be further shaped.” The discussions therefore centred not only on personal experiences, but also on the future. Together, they considered how the spirituality of the Communio in Christo could also bear fruit in Uganda and be integrated into the life of the local Church.

Neither John Baptist nor Martin Atwiine rule out membership of the Ordo Communionis in Christo. They have already held initial discussions on this with the Superior General, Father Jaison Thazhathil.

Spiritual Director Father Rudolf Ammann ISch encouraged the two guests, upon their return, to start by forming small spiritual groups in which the charism of the Communio could be discovered and lived out. It is equally important, he added, to keep the connection with the motherhouse in Mechernich alive.

Sister Lidwina, Sister Shelly and Deacon Manfred Lang pledged their support in this regard – through spiritual guidance, literature and talks in digital form, the regular newsletter and the community’s spiritual circular. Should this shared journey continue, it could develop into a period of accompaniment lasting around one and a half years, leading ultimately to membership of the Ordo Communionis in Christo.

“Together into the Future”

It remains to be seen where this path will lead. One thing, however, is already certain: what began as a four-week visit has become far more than a friendly exchange. A spiritual bond has formed between Mechernich and Uganda, the fruits of which may only become apparent in the years to come.

Sister Lidwina, who has herself visited Communio groups and supporters in Africa on several occasions, sums up the community’s hope: “This is precisely the hope that both sides are taking with them into the future.”

pp/Agentur ProfiPress