Jesus Christ is Risen today, Alleluia.
As we celebrate our Easter faith it might be well to remember that April 24, 2011 is the 82nd anniversary of the deaths of Passionist Fathers Godfrey Holbein of Baltimore, Clement Seybold of Dunkirk, New York, and Walter Coveyou of Petoskey, Michigan.
Even today in 2011, their deaths recall the incredible missionary zeal of Passionists and all those who support the mission church of today. Chinese bandits killed these three priests. Their murders were a shock to the Catholic Church in China; their murders were a shock to the Passionists in China, the United States and the Passionist Congregation worldwide. Presently, we as we discern and apply the understanding of the Passionist international spirit of reconfiguration it serves a value to remember these three deceased Passionists. All Passionists worldwide mourned their deaths. In addition, since Father Coveyou was a member of Holy Cross province, recalling his death as well serves as a reminder of how both US provinces are linked together in the past. I suggest, we remember this link as we proceed into the future.
Furthermore, their deaths brought to life a debate whereby the diplomats of the United States Department of State and those of the Holy See differed on the meaning of the missionary spirit. US officials sought indemnity (money to be paid by the Chinese government for these shocking deaths) whereas the Passionists were aligned with the Holy See 1927 policy that missionaries must be ready to suffer and die (therefore the Holy See sought no indemnity as it was thought such received money might be seen as an insult to the China society).
The 1929 deaths of the three Passionists in West Hunan, China wake us to the realization that, even today, the Passionist presence in China is developing a voice all its own. Those associated with the Passionists should know that China is not just a tourist destination. This is not the old missionary model of the past. Rather, it is a missionary model that builds on the past in order to accentuate Passionist presence in diverse ways. My teaching in Chongqing, China from 2007-2008 was an example and other missionary options that are developing into the future.
Remembering the 1929 deaths calls to mind the importance of the China collection in the Passionist Historical Archives, Union City. The archives hold the history of the Catholic church of West Hunan. Simply put, present realities manifest a vibrant Catholic church that has high regard for the Passionist mission of the past. The attached picture attests to this legacy: that the Passionist past is in fact part of the Passionist present. This photo shows the gravesite of the three Passionist priests killed in 1929. This grave site also includes others: Passionist priests, Sisters of Charity, Convent Station, Grey Sisters of Canada, and a laywomen who died in China. For more information see http://cpprovince.org/archives/heritage/winter2005/winter05.php
The Passionist Historical Archives is the repository for uniquely valuable records which document the history of the Congregation of the Passion in the United States of America from the arrival of the first Passionists in 1852 to the present day. Please consider a donation to help support the work of the archives. For more information, please contact: Father Robert Carbonneau, C.P.
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