This past weekend I did my first parish mission appeal in Britain with the celebration of Masses at St. Hugh of Lincoln church in Knaphill, Woking, in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton.
I was warmly welcomed by Fr. Linus Chukwudi Onah and Fr. Hilary Elochukwu Anaelom – both of whom are members of the Nigerian missionary congregation, Fathers of the Holy Family & Brothers of the Youth – as well as by the church community.
I shared with the community about my experience as a Columban missionary in Japan – in particular, how I witnessed the Holy Spirit awakening and sustaining the gift of faith in Japanese adults in ways that caused me, a cradle Catholic, to be surprised and even envious!
I learned the endearing story of Hugh of Lincoln – a French monk and missionary to Britain in the 12th century, who befriended an aggressive swan in Stowe Park, and how their close friendship endured until the holy man, who became bishop of Lincoln, died fifteen years later.
It’s entirely fitting, therefore, that this faithful swan-friend accompanies the saint in various depictions up until today.
