Father Peter Chmielecki SCJ writes about the upcoming "June Prayer," which has become a permanent part of our missionary calendar, and the first mission project in Brazil in a letter to the Dehonian Mission Family.
Olsztyn, May 4, 2025
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Dear Missionary Donors, I will admit that one of my favorite topics for a so-called sermon to children is the legend of Saint Christopher. I don't have enough space in this letter to describe it in its entirety, but I want to present at least its beginning and ending.
Christopher was named Reprobus by his parents, which literally means: repulsive. He was a tall, strong man, and very ugly. He took as his life's goal to serve "the most powerful king in the world." But who was he? The quest led to a situation where he began to carry people across a deep river to the other side. One day a young boy approached him with a request for such transportation. However, to his surprise, Reprobus barely managed to carry him on his shoulders. At the end of the journey, this little boy admitted that He was "the most powerful King in the world." In remembrance of this encounter, Reprobus took the name Christopher at baptism, from the Greek Christophoros, meaning: bearer of Christ.
Undoubtedly, those who carry Christ into the world today are the missionaries. Their mission is difficult in many ways. They travel to culturally different countries, have to learn foreign languages, endure the hardships of the climate or travel hundreds of kilometers to reach those who want to encounter Jesus present in the sacraments. That's why we have been running the "Means of transport for missionaries" project for many years now. From this fund, thanks to you, Dear Missionary Donors, in 2024, we donated money to purchase as many as five vehicles for the missions. Specifically, we bought: cars for missionaries in Tanzania and Angola, a school bus in Cameroon, a truck for an agricultural school in Mozambique, and a bus for a parish in Dansolihon, Philippines. Here are a few sentences of thanks from a Dehonian missionary in Asia: "The transport vehicle we were able to buy thanks to your help is doing a great job in our missionary conditions! We use it to transport our lay catechists to remote chapels, and we have as many as 36 of them in the parish. The catechists prepare parents for the baptism of their children and conduct premarital teachings for couples. We also use the new car to bring young people to the parish church for community meetings. We also use the car for the child nutrition project, which you have so generously supported for years. I sincerely thank you for everything, and I pray for you." - Father Janusz Burzawa SCJ from the Philippines writes.
We recently received a request for support in purchasing a vehicle from Dehonian missionaries in Brazil. Father Vitor de Jesus Nascimento SCJ writes about the need that has arisen: "We have been running Fazendinha Padre Israel, or Father Israel's Farm, in the village of Lavras for several decades now. It is a center for addicted youth. The most common issues are drugs and alcohol. Most of our charges come to us when addiction has severed their family connections, when they have literally lost everything, and all they have left is the clothes on their backs... We meet them at a time when they 'no longer believe in anything.' And we, based on the Gospel, the Dehonian's charism and the knowledge of working with addictions, offer them a journey to regain the meaning of life. This path leads through getting to know oneself better, building community, prayer and physical work on the farm. The work of growing crops and raising animals is also our way of self-financing the Fazendinha Padre Israel center. However, we absolutely cannot afford to buy the tractor necessary for farm work. Therefore, we sincerely ask for your help."
Following the pattern of previous years, in June we want to place the concerns of our missionary donors in the Heart of Jesus. Throughout the month, we will celebrate Mass every day for the intentions sent to us, and the Dehonian Priests of the House for the Missions in Olsztyn will read them during adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. All the offerings sent during the "June prayer" will go towards the purchase of a tractor for the Dehonian center for addicts in Brazil.
Saint Christopher - patron of all travelers - pray for us!
With the gift of prayer +
Fr. Piotr Chmielecki SCJ
PS I sincerely ask for your help in purchasing a tractor needed for missionary work with addicted youth in Brazil.
