Martinus was born in Haarlem on November 24, 1930. He passed away at the MUMC on September 18, 2026. He came from a family of six children. His mother died when he was eight years old. His father remarried, and his second wife took good care of all the children in the family. His father was a paver in Haarlem and rose early every morning. After work, he would go to the vegetable garden to gather produce for the meal. ...

Br. Gait was born on November 30, 1937, in Lochem. On August 15, 1956, he took his vows in Maastricht. He passed away at the De Beyart nursing home on September 8, 2026. In his room here at De Beyart, there are still many reminders of the eighteen years he spent working in Spain and the nineteen years during which he devoted his best efforts to the people of Chile. On his desk was a box full of photos, a ...

THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Reflection on Pope Leo XIV's General Audience message (August 5, 2026) At his General Audience on 5 August 2026, Pope Leo XIV continues his catechesis on the Second Vatican Council's Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium, inviting the faithful to rediscover the true meaning of the Church's liturgical prayer. He presents prayer not merely as a personal devotion but as the Church's living breath, inspired by the Holy Spirit and centred on Christ. The Holy Father begins by ...

THE MOTHERLY CHARACTER IN THE LIVES OF THE FIC BROTHERS Bro. Michael Sidharta Susila Mary plays a special role in the FIC Congregation. From the very beginning of the FIC Congregation, even in the life of its founder, Father Ludovicus Hubertus Rutten, there has been a special bond with Mary. Rutten was born on December 8, 1809. At that time, December 8 had not yet been designated by the Church as the feast day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. ...

The fourth day of the Brothers FIC Extra-Ordinary Chapter began at 7.30am with an inspiring prayer service led by the Brothers from the Malawi Province. During this sacred gathering, the delegates commemorated the passing of the late Superior General, Br. Augustine Kubdaar, and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul. After the service, the delegates shared breakfast and prepared themselves for the day’s central activity: the election of a new Superior General. The morning session opened at 9.00am with ...

The third day of the Extraordinary Chapter of the FIC Brothers opened with a prayer led by the Indonesia Province. The theme of the prayer, “Servant Leadership in the spirit of the Founders”, prompted the brothers to reflect on the readings about the virtues of humility, good example, love for the brothers, and steadfastness. They were invited to listen to the internal voice speaking through the narrative of these virtues and the expectations for the Extraordinary General Chapter. During the ...

The second day of the Extraordinary Chapter of the FIC Brothers was a meaningful day of prayer, discussion, and fraternity. The brothers gathered in a spirit of faith and openness to continue their preparations for the election of new congregational leadership. Morning Session The day began with a morning prayer led by the delegates from Ghana. The brothers reflected on the theme of Leadership and Service and prayed for the Holy Spirit's guidance throughout the election process. We asked God ...

In front of the chapter hall stands a large photograph of Br Augustine Kubdaar, our late Superior General. Br Augustine’s death is the reason the FIC Brothers are gathered here at Roncalli Retreat Centre in Salatiga, Indonesia. In total, 28 delegates from Chile, Malawi, Ghana, the Netherlands, and Indonesia, the host province, have come together for this Congregational encounter, Extraordinary Chapter 2026. On the morning of 8 June 2026, the Chilean delegation set the tone for this unexpected encounter with ...