VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Situated in the eastern part of the majorly Buddhist country of Myanmar is a small state called Kayah State. The capital of this mountainous and hilly state is Loikaw. The Diocese of Loikaw is the only in the state and the smallest in Myanmar, with a Catholic population of a little more than 70,000. It was here that I was born, the fifth of five boys and three girls. And even though I belong to this beautiful diocese, God called me to join a religious community, the Missionaries of Faith.
I did not start being a missionary right away. After ordination, I was assigned as an associate pastor at St. Joseph Parish in my home state for three years. Then I was sent to the Diocese of Green Bay in the United States as administrator of a parish. My experiences within the two years there enriched my view of what it meant to be a true missionary far from my homeland. At the same time, however, I was able to give back to my community, especially in financial support.
This past summer, I arrived in Maui to assume the position of associate pastor at Maria Lanakila Parish. As a new arrival, I feel like I still have many things to learn. The parishioners are very devout expressing their pious way of life through attendance at regular Masses, praying the rosary, participating in adoration and other devotions. I have found that although I am a missionary to preach to them, they are the ones preaching to me of their faith in God and love for Mary.
Aside from being faithful to my daily Divine Office prayer, the rosary has become my favorite prayer. I would like to re-encourage others that the rosary is one of the most complete prayers ever. Through it, we glorify the Blessed Trinity; say the Lord’s Prayer; recite the Hail Mary composed by the angel of the Lord himself; and remember the summary of our faith through the Creed composed by the Twelve Apostles. Most important of all, we contemplate on the passages of holy Scripture in each mystery. Therefore, it is not just a devotional but a traditional and scriptural prayer.
My favorite song is to Mary, “Daily, Sing to Mary!” My favorite Bible verse is “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit!” (Lk. 23:46). By this, I entrust all my worries, uncertainties and concerns into his care, for nothing is impossible by God.
On March 20, my family home caught fire and everything turned into a heap of rubble. It was so hard for us, especially for my mother. I could not go back home to support her due to the global pandemic lockdown. However, the good Lord never abandoned us. With the generous help of many relatives and friends, we were able to rebuild.
To the faithful, I thank you for your love and prayers and other supports. Continue to pray for all of us priests and for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life because the Lord needs more laborers in the church as the harvest is plenty. (Mt. 9:37). Young people, be generous with yourself and your life if you feel God’s call of you to this holy vocation.
Father Robert Ni Ni is a member of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Faith. He took his perpetual vows in 2013, and was ordained in 2014. He is a parochial vicar at Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina, Maui.