Mongolian Catholics: the joy and pride for their first priest

The small Catholic community of Arvaiheer (just 21 people) has received with joy the news that on August 28 next Enkhee-Joseph will be ordained a priest, the first Mongolian “external”. In the Mongolian internal to China in fact there had been some – few – priests in the last century, but for Mongolia independent Enkhee will be just the first.

Sitting around the table, sipping  suutei-tsai  (salty tea with milk) Sunday in the after-Mass, parishioners commented aloud the news. And comments are obviously of great satisfaction for this event: “Enkhee – some say – proves to be a very patient and disciplined, if he managed to prepare for so long and in a foreign country.” In fact the years of seminary Enkhee them spent in Daejeon, South Korea, hosted by the very diocese.

The faithful know that the requirements to become priests are demanding, especially in terms of self-discipline; it seems that there is some sort of disbelief: “One of our own has it made! And if he did it, others will follow his example. We are sure that there will be many after him. ” In fact none of them know him personally; when they were baptized him was already in Korea to study, but of course accompanied him from a distance, with much love and much prayer.

“The fact that this new priest is Mongolian – says a faithful – means a lot to us, speak our language as our son and brother; especially will connect faith with our traditions. ” This expectation emerges as really a priority; and it is more than legitimate. For a religion still seen as “foreign”, in fact, be able to count on a local minister saying much; both in terms of relations with the civil authorities, who until now have always had to interact with foreigners (us missionaries), and – even more deeply – for what Enkhee will harmonize between the traditional Mongolian and lived the Catholic faith. “We expect that a priest knows Mongolian give an account of our faith to those who questioned him and is able to help us on our journey of internalization of the same faith.”

The eyes are crossed by a flicker of satisfaction and joy. Mongolian pride. Then a lady continued: “Connecting our faith with what we have received from our ancestors and that distinguishes us as Mongolians.” This is the deepest desire that warn community members Arvaiheer; and they rely heavily on Enkhee why.

Then the conversation turns on a television interview in which a Christian woman was able to respond intelligently to the provocations of the journalist, showing how his faith was not in contradiction with the deepest values ​​that had received. For a moment, then the faithful gathered forget to Enkhee and ask me to help them understand how to behave when as Catholics participating in family or social events where people follow the Buddhist tradition (the one prevailing in the country).

Everyone talks about his experience, I listen to them and try to offer some food. After all, our role as missionaries is this: be to foster the encounter with Christ. Then they will read their cultural identity in the light of faith, knowing find their place in society. And this will help a lot the first Mongolian priest.

That always manages to remain humble and attentive, after the huge crowd which will be dipped in August. And we hope that the faithful fellow citizens know it does not help to feel a star, but really to become the minister of mercy and holiness that accompany the inculturation of their faith. With much prayer and simplicity of life.

Meanwhile we Consolata missionaries continue to be, unless a wave of extreme nationalism does not force us to leave; more foreign pilgrims and visitors, the seed that falls to the ground and then disappears, because the Church is born. (AsiaNews)

SOURCE:

http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=71736