Fr Hyginus Mint Soe with a centenarian parishioner on her 101st birthday

The East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) is a good place for pastoral workers to have a break and relax. I felt more connected with myself, which was what I had wanted to experience. I met people from different countries and cultures, and learned methods and techniques in developing psycho-spiritual maturity, which involves managing loneliness and anger in the spiritual context of ministry in the Church. This can be very challenging to priests and pastors, especially those assigned in the parishes.

“I have taken retreats and recollections before but the Ignatian retreat was different. It was difficult for me at first having nothing to do and being immersed completely in silence, but on the second day, I started to feel better. I felt a deep communion with God. I felt his healing and merciful forgiveness.”

I had two remarkably unforgettable experiences in EAPI. First was the exposure trip to Payatas where we encountered the reality of poor people. Our ministry should be one that is inclusive of the poor and it challenged me a lot as a pastor to smell like the people. Like a shepherd to his flock, we must be immersed in the lives of those we serve and share their circumstances and daily life.

Second was the experience of the eight-day silent retreat. As a priest, I have taken retreats and recollections before but the Ignatian retreat was different. It was difficult for me at first having nothing to do and being immersed completely in silence, but on the second day, I started to feel better. I felt a deep communion with God. I felt his healing and merciful forgiveness.

The biggest lesson for me is having the right attitude towards our neighbours. Love of God is very simple: we know it; we understand it. Yet seeing God visible in the poor, in our neighbours and in people of different cultures is not always easy. Living in a multicultural community and taking classes in interreligious dialogue, I learned a lot about becoming aware of God’s presence in the beauty of different religions and cultures. There were instances before when I failed to appreciate the value of other religions. Now, I very much appreciate them, especially Buddhism, the predominant religion in Myanmar.

I return feeling much better in terms of my emotional maturity. I have become more open to other cultures and mindful of the movements of the Spirit in other religions.  Wherever or whatever mission is asked of me, I will be available and happy to serve the people for the Church.

This article is part of a series of reflections from participants of EAPI’s residential programmes, which run for four or six months.