“One sees clearly only with the heart.”
EDITORIAL by Fr. Ngoa Ya Tshihemba
Superior General of the Augustinians of the Assumption
You may recall this expression: “One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eyes.” It comes from Saint-Exupéry in The Little Prince. After the General Conference held in Iași (Romania), I remained in this part of the world for the canonical visitation to Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Greece. The place occupied by the Mission of the East in our capitular texts, commissions, and on the list of mobilizing works is unequivocal. The intervention of the Holy See to prevent the possible closure of the community in Plovdiv only reinforced the importance of this mission. A mission that had received the blessing of Pope Pius IX: “I bless your works in the East and in the West,” even though the Assumptionists did not yet have a work in the East. A prophetic blessing?
The Catholic Church represents a very small minority in these countries of the Eastern Mission, sometimes comprising less than 1% of the population. Consequently, we do not even enjoy certain rights we would be entitled to if Catholics represented at least 5% of the population. Despite these conditions, the small Catholic Church holds firm and resists. This admirable perseverance is supported by the entire congregation: the presence of the brothers who come from the new foundations is a testament to this.
Father D’Alzon, intimately familiar with the reality of the Catholic Church in the East, saw the hand of God in the perseverance of those sent there. Their presence remains humble, yet sustained by a bold faith and hope. We can then understand Father Emmanuel d’Alzon’s expression: “In the East itself, God has left witnesses. Blessed are those who remain faithful witnesses to the end!” (E.S. p. 565)
As I write this, a session is taking place in Arusha. Here is an excerpt from the message I sent to the participants of this session on missionary reflection in the Assumption: “This session is the fruit of a profound conviction, one that is undeniable in light of reality itself: the future of our Congregation will be commensurate with the authentic missionary passion that we will cultivate within ourselves and around us. You are gathered here to share your experiences. This is also a time for reflection that will help us progress in how we stimulate, prepare, support, and evaluate missionary experiences within the Congregation. We want to do better tomorrow. May each of your interventions, suggestions, and contributions be driven by this desire to improve the quality of our responses to the various missions entrusted to us.’’
I therefore wish to thank all those who, from the bottom of their hearts, aspire to or accept to live this very particular mission, taking into account the realities on the ground and, above all, the spiritual qualities that must be possessed or developed to find happiness in this mission, for goodwill alone is not enough. Time can be an asset in achieving this: “It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.” (The Little Prince, Chapter 21)
“One sees clearly only with the heart.” I give thanks to God who has allowed my heart to see and witness his work through our brothers who believed in the Mission of the East and also through those who still believe in it today. I feel immense joy at having walked on some of the lands that Father d’Alzon himself traversed and where our religious family continues its mission today. The words of the psalmist resonate deeply in my heart: “How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?” “There is nothing better than the inner attitudes that the psalmist lists as the answer to his own question: ‘I will lift up the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord. I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving.’ (Psalm 115:12-14) Yes, this is not about a transaction with God. God’s gifts are too great, too freely given, to be repaid with human means. All that remains for me is to abide in thanksgiving, faithfulness, and trusting obedience.”