By Marina Van Dalen, SMNDA Coordinator – Netherlands
The four Dutch sisters based in Boxtel are involved in the activities at the Worldhouse, sharing their vision of a life lived out in mission every day.
Iftar meal for everyone
This year, Ramadan and Lent began on the same day, namely Ash Wednesday, 18 February, and we thought it would be a good idea to organise an Iftar meal for all residents during this period.
Most of the Muslim residents at the Worldhouse are of Moroccan or Turkish origin; the others are Dutch or Indonesian, and they usually eat their meals separately. Two ladies from the Muslim community promised to prepare a simple Ramadan meal suitable for the older residents, not all of whom are used to Arabic cuisine.
Before the meal, we gave a presentation on Christian fasting during the 40 days of Lent and another on fasting during Ramadan. Lent today is no longer strict in terms of diet, but we can see it as a time for reflection, prayer and an effort to reduce our consumption, for example of social media. Two sisters read a text on solidarity and respect for everyone’s beliefs.
The second presentation on Ramadan explained how Muslims observe this month, mainly with their families, although they often invite guests. It is a time for respect, prayer, self-reflection and acts of charity towards others.
After the presentations, we were able to break the fast in the traditional way by eating a date and drinking a little water. We were then served a delicious meal of lentil soup, rice with chicken and cake, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.
With nearly 60 residents and staff members gathered around the tables, it was a lively gathering and we were able to chat at length. It is undoubtedly something to organise again next year, when Ramadan and Lent will coincide once more.
Children’s Pilgrimage
On 1 April, 18 primary school children came to Worldhouse on a pilgrimage. The children prepared for the pilgrimage in class and they all carried a large shell, the pilgrim’s symbol, on which was inscribed a word they had chosen themselves. For example: love, friendship, charity, joy, peace, courage, etc.
Aged between 10 and 12, they are about to start secondary school in September. This marks a major change in their lives, involving new choices, new friends, a new environment, etc. As a sort of ‘rite of passage’, they undertake a one-day pilgrimage, walking 11 kilometres to come and spend time with the sisters!
After welcoming the children into the chapel, they split into small groups of three to talk with a sister about her life, her vocation and her mission. So, in the entrance hall, the hall, the restaurant and the chapel, the children, their teachers/chaperones and the sisters sat and chatted for 45 minutes.
The children were able to ask them all sorts of questions, although it took them a while to overcome their shyness. They found it hard to believe that the sisters were all over 90 years old… that they were even older than their own grandparents!
Some were very interested in what the sisters ate in Africa and how they coped with the lack of water. Sister Joanna, who came from a big city, said she had to learn how to milk a cow and that it had been a real challenge for her.
They couldn’t believe that when Sister Catharina left for Ghana, it was for good, and that she would probably never see her family again… Fortunately, that policy came to an end and she was able to go on holiday after 10 years. All these stories made a deep impression on the children.
After this chat with the sisters, everyone returned to the chapel. The children formed a circle with their classmates and the sisters. A candle was lit and each person passed it to the person next to them, making a personal wish for the future.
‘I hope you make new friends at your new school’ or ‘I hope you become a pastry chef, as you love that’, “I wish you a happy life,” and so on. It was very moving.
At the end, Sister Leny read a poem entitled “Setting Off Together on the Road”, and then we sang a hymn with lyrics specially adapted for the occasion. When the children left the chapel, they were all given a small keyring featuring a guardian angel and a chocolate Easter egg.
Good luck on your journey! We hope to see a new group of children next year!
