Distinct Contributions of CICM in the World

1. Pioneering/Daring Spirit
a. In 1888 Fr. Emerick Cambier, CICM explored the unknown and mysterious territory
upriver on the Congo and Kasai Rivers in Central Africa, in Kasai Province, and founded
most of the large missions there. When the fierce Batetelas tribe revolted in 1895, he saved
the mission emboldened by his rifle, which he was not afraid to fire.

b. The above story exemplifies the pioneering and daring spirit of the CICM, who dare to
go, and to do, where others and what others do not, or did not yet. In the Philippines the
CICM started and built many mission stations in the Mountain Provinces, which was largely
unreached by Spanish missionaries. Thus, the region was opened to evangelization. But as
the Church in that region grows, or after they have "planted the seed" the CICM handed
over the territory to the local Church.

c. Mongolia is a recent example; the CICM with the Filipino Bishop Weneceslo Padilla
practically started the church in that country, and two years ago the first Mongolian priest
was ordained. After a few more years when the time is ripe, the CICM will once more
relinquish leadership of that church to the local clergy and hierarchi.

In such a contribution to the world, the CICM manifests the kind of leadership she assumes
in the world. It is a kind of leadership that is rooted in the tradition of "One Heart, One
Soul." CICM leadership
can be described essentially as one of inner strength (interiority) and greatness of the soul
(magnanimity). The strength that empowers the CICM leadership comes from participating
in the source of the mission itself: Dei missio, while the grace that sustains the CICM
leadership derives from unconditional service to others.

The heart as a symbol of the inner being of the human person expresses capacity for truth,
goodness, and beauty. Theophile Verbist rightly animates his missionaries to take courage in
the face of tribulations and persecutions, since they have a good and beautiful mission.
Accordingly, the life-giving force that "ensouls" the universe truly inspires a meaningful life
when developed in the care Of God's people and creation. Thus, with a wholehearted and
animated disposition, CICM missionaries continue to serve God's people with a brand Of
leadership that strengthens and gives hope to the world for the coming Of God's reign. They
live as vanguards for change in the world.

2. Multiculturality

a. As the CICM motto espouses, the Congregation is of "One Heart and One Soul":
"Internationalization as a universal brotherhood is not a project the Congregation set for
itself, but a call from the Lord." A fundamental aspect of the vocation of a CICM priest or
brother is to live in a multicultural community in a culture which is not his own but which
he must embrace, while endeavoring to work to unify humankind as children of the same
Father. Thus making present the Kingdom of God. "One Heart and One Soul, we witness to
the Father's will that all men and women be brothers and sisters in Christ. We are a sign of
solidarity among the particular Churches in their universal mission." (CICM Constitution,
Art. 2)

b. Therefore, the CICM has advocacies directed towards intercultural understanding. For
example, in Japan, in the CICM Oriens Institute for Religious Research the students study
and reflect on Japanese culture and religious thought and are concerned with religious
dialogue and contact between the different religious traditions in their country. Such 'mark'
of multiculturality makes the CICM an inclusive community working for the promotion of
God's kingdom.

3. Social Transformation

a. The work of the CICM towards social transformation is rooted in the consecration of the
Congregation to the Incarnate Word, who responds to the love of God by uniting all of
humanity into a single family of brothers and sisters. To work for social transformation is to
respond to the invitation to continue Christ's mission of redemption for the gradual
realization of the Kingdom, a Kingdom of justice and love, of peace and joy.

b. The list of endeavors of the CICM geared towards social transformation is endless.
Foremost among these is the education apostolate, which is a part of youth ministry. The
advocacy for interreligious dialogue in Asia, for indigenous peoples in the Philippines and
in Guatemala, for the Latinos and Blacks in the USA, for Haitian migrant workers in the
Dominican Republic, and for the physically challenged and lepers. Are also directed
towards social transformation. In fact they could all be subsumed under the heading Of
Justice, Peace, and Integrity Of Creation. CICM's have also been engaged in special projects
in nature conservation, agriculture, livelihood.

c. [St. Paul Agricultural School has been one of the best developmental projects that ever
happened among the Toradja mountain people in Indonesia. Founded in 1969 in Makale by
Fr. Roger Leleu, CICM who had an agronomist's degree from the University of Louvain, the
school introduced new methods of farming to hundreds of graduates who have been
influential in improving the lives of thousands of farms who today harvest two rice crops a
year.]

In this work for social transformation, the Founder himself, Fr. Theophile Verbist
recognized it necessary for one to be transformed first to become truly an effective agent of
transformation. To his sister Elisa he wrote: "The missionary would jeopardize the success
of his efforts if, before attempting to reform the world around him, he would not first study
matters in silence, observe with care, and, above all, exercise an enduring patience." It is
from this experience that he would challenge the novices in Belgium to test their vocation
well. They have to make sure their vocation is rooted in a pure love of God.

Furthermore, the CICM missionaries affirm their participation in the transformation initiated
by Jesus as they say; "Our initial ‘yes' is only the beginning of the journey—not the end. We
have all had moments of ‘going about doing good.' We have all had moments Of suffering.
We all will experience that final moment of our own personal death and personal
resurrection. But over and above all that living and dying, we have known transforming
moments of grace, we have been instruments Of transforming grace for others people. It is a
God who continues to journey with His people. Little by little over the years, most of us
have known fleeting moments of grace, personal transformational moments that give
promise of the fullness of our personal Resurrection yet to come."

Such missionary presence of the CICM priests and brothers in the world is therefore a clear
manifestation of God's liberating presence in the lives of people, liberating them from all
forms of suffering, oppression or dehumanization. Coming from different cultures. the
CICM missionaries embrace other cultures, bearing the inclusive character of the Kingdom
proclaimed by Christ. the Incarnate Word. as they work for social transformation.

Clearly, the CICM institute generously responded to this call to build the Church. From the
writings and examples of Founder Fr. Théophile Verbist and from the various official
documents Of the Congregation, the CICM continually draws relevant insights for
missionary directions in the face of new challenges. "The general purpose of the
Congregation is the conversion of the non-Christians, but its specific aim is the preaching of
the faith to the Chinese and the salvation of the many abandoned children," reveals Fr
Verbist of the reason for the establishment of the CICM in 1862. That is, faithful to the
inspiration Of the Founder to dedicate lives and efforts as members Of CICM communities
to the proclamation Of the Gospel values and to the care Of the marginalized and the poor.

Hence, at the core of CICM character are:

1. a Christ-centered spirituality for the mission;
2. a missionary activity integrated into the whole pastoral work of the church;
3. the evangelization of cultures through quality education;
4. a proactive stance in support for people’s natural and cultural heritage; and
5. solidarity with the poor through the establishment of an inclusive society.