| Several numbers of our Constitutions speaks about the
mystery of the Cross of Christ and our sharing in that mystery. We need
not be ashamed of the folly of the Cross (Cf. Nº 108); we must not
forget that we are following Christ crucified and must proclaim the message
of the Cross (Cf. Nº 113); we must remember that it is part of the
following of Christ to take up the cross of every day (Cf. Nº 244).
Some of our brethren had a very special share in the mystery of the Cross of Christ, especially those ones who left their lives violently in the missionary service.[1] Namely: Mgr. Adolph Gregor Schmitt CMM, who was killed on 5th December 1976 at Regina Mundi Mission (Zimbabwe). Fr. Possenti Anton Weggartner CMM, who was killed on 5th December 1976 at Regina Mundi Mission (Zimbabwe). Br. Karl Kroner CMM, who was killed on 9th January 1978 at Pinetown (South Africa). Br. Peter Edmund Geyermann CMM, who was killed on 2nd June 1978 at Embakwe Mission (Zimbabwe). Br. Andreas Georg von Arx CMM, who was killed on 2nd June 1978 at Embakwe Mission (Zimbabwe). Fr. Edmar Georg Sommerreisser CMM, who was killed on 25th April 1981 at Regina Mundi Mission (Zimbabwe). Br. Matthias Sutterlüty CMM, who was killed on 10th November 1983 at Embakwe Mission (Zimbabwe). Br. Kilian Valentin Knörl CMM, who was killed on 19th April 1988 at Empandeni Mission (Zimbabwe). Fr. Hubert Hofmans CMM, who was killed on 23rd November 2001 at Lae (Papua- New Guinee). All these brethren of ours are a permanent reminder of those words of Jesus: “Remember what I told you: ‘No slave is greater than his master’. If they persecuted me, they will persecuted you too... The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world”. (Jn. 15,20; 16,33) |