Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2009 / Mariannhills celebrate 100 years of mission work
Mariannhills celebrate 100 years of mission work
by Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published October 23, 2009
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Fr. Alain Rodrigue, CMM, provincial superior for the American-Canadian province of the Mariannhill Fathers and Brothers, was homilist at a Mass at which Cardinal Adam Maida, right, was celebrant. |
Dearborn Heights - Fr. Alain Rodrigue, CMM, provincial superior for the American-Canadian province of the Mariannhill Fathers and Brothers, said in a homily Sunday to leave space in our hearts so "He may transform us from within."
He was celebrating 100 years of the Mariannhill order at the Mass at Our Lady of Grace Parish, Dearborn Heights, down the road from their community. The Mass's principal celebrant was Cardinal Adam Maida, archbishop emeritus of Detroit, and drew several dozen Mariannhill priests and brothers.
At their community in Dearborn Heights, the Mariannhill Fathers and Brothers print their publication, "Leaves," guide formation for future priests and brothers, and lead retreats for Mariannhill youth.
Fr. Rodrigue talked a bit about the history of the order, and explained why they didn't celebrate their centennial in 1982, when the first mission was formed in Africa - as they were still Trappists then.
He said we are reminded that we are sent by God to share in our humanity with Jesus Christ, and invited to be witnesses. He said we need to get rid of the notion that God is a kind of domineering ruler, but instead, embrace the real God that is revealed to us.
He also tied the homily back to the day being World Mission Sunday: "We have a mandate to go out to all the world," he said, through the mandate of our baptism.
Cardinal Maida, speaking to the congregation after Mass, mentioned that how 100 years ago, the order must not have known where they were headed, but trusted God to lead them anyway. "Congratulations to you and your community for what you have done," he said, to applause.
Fr. Vergil Heier, CMM, the order's vocation director, said everyone was happy with Sunday's celebration. He appreciated Cardinal Maida's participation, he said, and the fact that he visited with people at a brunch following the Mass.
The order has its start in 1882, when Fr. Francis Pfanner joined the Trappist order and was sent to begin a new foundation, volunteering to go to South Africa to answer the pleas of the bishop there. He placed the new monastery in the care of the Blessed Mother and St. Anne, hence the name. The group built up a Christian community of which the reputation spread, and soon they were asked to help others.
Fr. Pfanner died in 1909, shortly after Rome decided the group should become its own order, as their work didn't really fit in with the Trappists. Brothers were sent to the United States to raise money, and one rented an apartment in Detroit, which began the order's presence here.
Their ministries include retreats, chaplaincies and parish work, lay missionaries, sacramental work, sponsorship of refugees and accommodation of immigrants.
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