A historic Spanish-mission style home sits on 25th Street in North Arlington not far from Marymount University. In 1907, Frank Lyon had it built as his family home.
The lawyer, newspaper publisher and real estate developer had seen the Spanish missions in California and wanted to recreate that stucco style here. It was the first home in the county to have electricity because Lyon figured out how to tap into the electricity powering the trolley line on nearby Old Dominion Drive.
Ironically, four decades later, that mission-style home became a literal home for missionaries.
With a name change from Lyonhurst to Missionhurst, hurst meaning a wooded hill, the estate is still home to the U.S. provincial headquarters of the Missionhurst-CICM priests and brothers and has been for the past 80 years. CICM are the Latin initials for the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The order’s charism is to “go beyond geographical and religious boundaries to share Jesus Christ with all those who do not know him.”
Congregation members must be ready to leave their homeland and become missionaries. There are 841 priests and brothers, who come from different races, cultures and nationalities. CICM Missionaries serve in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America — including St. Ann Church in Arlington; two parishes in the Baltimore archdiocese; Texas; New York City; and North Carolina. About 30 are in active ministry in the U.S.
An Oct. 8 Mass at St. Ann marked their eight decades of service. It was celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and CICM Missionaries Superior General Father Charles Phukuta, who came from Rome. Three dozen Missionhurst priests concelebrated, including St. Ann pastor, Father John T. Raharjo, and former pastor, Father Mel O. Portula, now pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Columbia, Md.
In his homily, Father Phukuta referred to a piece of art in the old stone chapel on 25th Street that reads, “We come as guests; we leave as family.” He said the anniversary “belongs to all of us because mission is never carried out alone.”
“Missionhurst’s history is ultimately the story of God’s faithfulness, revealed through generations of missionaries, collaborators, benefactors, families and communities touched by the Gospel,” he said. “God has guided us through success and disappointment, strength and weakness, certainty and change.
Father Phukuta said they “are called to draw near to families wounded by violence, displacement and poverty, to listen to their stories, share their burdens, defend their dignity and assure them that neither God nor the church has forgotten them.”
In remarks at the beginning of Mass, Bishop Burbidge thanked the Missionhurst for their 80 years of service in the U.S. and added that he was blessed to have had the congregation in both Arlington and during his time as bishop of Raleigh, N.C.
The congregation dates back to Nov. 28, 1862, when Father Théophile Verbist founded it in Scheut, Anderlecht, a suburb of Brussels, Belgium. The purpose was to do missionary work in China and the congregation was known as the Scheut Missionaries. Because of war, those missionaries came to the U.S.
In Virginia, Missionhurst priests helped start several parishes and staffed some for decades. In 1946, two Missionhurst went to Precious Blood in Culpeper when it was elevated from a mission to an independent parish. Father Maurice du Castillon was appointed the founding pastor, and Father Leo Zonneveld took over as pastor in 1979 and served there for 33 years.
Notably, more than 2,000 CICM missionaries have died in service have been recognized as martyrs.
“But this anniversary is more than a celebration of the past,” Father Phukuta said. “It is the beginning of a new chapter. The Spirit still sends us. The love of Christ still impels us. Jesus still commands us: ‘Go.’
“In a polarized world, we must build bridges, defend human dignity and offer hope,” he said. “The most difficult frontiers are often not geographic but human: the distances separating persons, cultures, generations and communities.”
The celebration continued in the parish hall afterward as the dozens of Missionhursts gathered with longtime supporters, parishioners and friends for dinner.
The priests and brothers, who renewed their missionary commitment during Mass, rushed to greet each other, took selfies and flocked to greet the superior general, the bishop and the U.S. provincial superior, Father Andre Kazadi.
“A community without prayer can easily become a nonprofit organization with liturgical vestments,” Father Phukuta said.
“We remember the confreres who crossed oceans and cultures,” he said, “the collaborators and parishioners who served alongside them, the benefactors who supported them, and all who sustained the mission through prayer, generosity, friendship and sacrifice.”
Augherton can be reached at aaugherton@catholicherald.com.
