From our memorial book we read about our Founder Théophile Verbist
Born in 1823 in Antwerp (Belgium). First vows in 1864. Ordained Priest in 1847. Founder of CICM in 1862. Sent to China (Mongolia) in 1865. Apostolic Provicar of Inner Mongolia in 1865. Died on February 23, 1868 in Lao-Hu-Kou (China) at the age of 44.
"Fasting, prayer and almsgiving, as preached by Jesus (cf. Mt 6:1-18), enable and express our conversion. The path of poverty and self-denial (fasting), concern and loving care for the poor (almsgiving), and childlike dialogue with the Father (prayer) make it possible for us to live lives of sincere faith, living hope and effective charity".
"To experience Lent with love means caring for those who suffer or feel abandoned and fearful because of the Covid-19 pandemic".
Happy Feast Day of Consecrated Life on the Presentation of the Lord!
"we ask the Lord’s blessing on each and every one of you, so that you may be able to move from “I” to “we”, realizing “that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together” (Pope Francis, Extraordinary moment of prayer, Friday, 27 March 2020). Be the Samaritans of these days, overcoming the temptation to turn inward and weep for yourselves, or to close your eyes to the pain, suffering, and poverty of so many men and women throughout the world”.
2021 Message from CIVCVA
2021 Message from CIVCVA
Fidelity is an ongoing challenge. Each day our consecration to the Lord must be renewed by a new “Yes” to the Lord’s call. This “Yes” must come from a free and loving heart, a heart that tries to respond each day with the same generosity as when it made its first profession. Yet in our humanness we experience limitations, frailty and brokenness. We constantly need to turn to where our strength lies.
“Draw your strength from the Lord and from His mighty power” (Eph 6:10). “I have the strength for everything through Him who empowers me” (Phil 4:13).
CICM constitutions/ Commentary p. 50-51