‘Pilgrims of hope’ to Honduras receive more than they give

Youth in the Honduran village of Nueva Consolación pray deeply outside the work center built by Idaho missionaries. (Courtesy Photos/Union de Amor Mission Team)

By Deacon Chris Stewart

for the ICR

“Things and possessions are not what make us happy.”

Maria Becker, 22, and Sophia Becker, 18, agreed that this understanding was among the most important gifts they received from their mission work in the Honduran village of Nueva Consolación. The sisters have visited the rural town on mission trips with their parents since their early teens.

Their father, John Becker, says he is “more appreciative of the blessings in life that we take for granted, like running water.”

Their mother, Luisa Becker, says she “experiences unity” and the divine reality that “We are all one working together as the Body of Christ.”

Two years ago, Lenten almsgiving at St. Pius X Parish in Coeur d’Alene was committed to building a “work center” for the rural village of Nueva Consolación in Honduras. Last year, the work center’s grand opening was celebrated by the local Honduran Bishop, Walter Guillén, at a Mass that included the village community and visitors from nine other communities bordering Nueva Consolación who will benefit from the facility.

As a sign of unity in the Body of Christ, two icons of Our Lady of Tenderness “written” (created) by Idaho Bishop Peter F. Christensen were presented to Bishop Guillén at the dedication Mass. One of the icons now hangs in the new work center.

What other gifts have come to us from the rural village of Nueva Consolación?

The example of hard work and perseverance of the coffee farmers who have patiently replenished their crops devastated by fungal blight several years ago, gifts of hospitality and joy they give St. Pius X missionaries through their celebrations of faith and community and the gift of their authentic, deep love for the Eucharist and prayer.

Most especially, the villagers give us the gift of hope as we journey together through this Jubilee year.

This mutual and loving exchange creates human solidarity. As each gives and each receives, we become part of the mystical unity that St. Paul describes in 1 Corinthians: we become one body in Christ.

May our Lord always fill us with his gifts of love and hope, and may we find solidarity in the Body of Christ, lived out in mission as “pilgrims of hope,” the theme of the Jubilee Year.

For more information about the St. Pius X mission in Honduras, called Union de Amor (Unity in Love), or to donate to this ongoing mission, visit stpiuscda.org or email Deacon Chris Stewart at cstewart@stpiuscda.org.

Coffee farmer Santiago shares this year’s coffee crop. Left to right: Luisa, Octavio, John, Sophia and Maria from St. Pius X parish. (Courtesy Photos/Union de Amor Mission Team)

Sister Lucia and the children of Consolación share a joy-filled moment.

(Courtesy Photos/Union de Amor Mission Team)