Nowadays, it is undeniable that DNA is a sure way of finding a person’s identity. This molecule containing the specific genetic instructions of each individual is in a certain way, equal to an ID card. In her mission awareness activities Sr. Yolaine Lavoie, an ingenious MIC Sister, explores the idea with Madagascan children. Is there really such a thing as spiritual DNA?
BY Yolaine Lavoie, m.i.c.

WHAT IS A SPIRITUAL DNA?

Often we tell children:You look so much like your father, or… like your mother; you have the same eyes, the same nose or… the same way of walking! This is altogether natural since DNA is the genetic molecule passed on from parents to their offspring.

At the heart of each person, there is also a life-eternal seed that is meant to germinate and grow; it will never die. This is the Love of God in us, our spiritual DNA. Not even death can separate us from this kind of DNA because we are created in the image and likeness of God. Thanks to this spiritual DNA, we can acknowledge that all human beings have the same Father. Being of the same Source we are therefore all brothers and sisters in the great human family.

How to help children capture this truth? The little ones understand very well that when we love one another we resemble our Father. One day, a student told me: I think that when we really ‘feel’ God, we have many friends. Indeed, when we share the same values, the same spirit sets us apart as children of God, and we realize that we are all part of the same family. This is marvellous!

I remember little Mario who one day said: My mother is like God because she loves me very much. Theologian in the making, he had discovered in his mother the Love, Gentleness, and Generous Heart of the Father. Is not God’s great dream, to see us resemble Him in all our being and doing? Always according to the Word and example of Jesus…

WITNESSING GOD’S TENDERNESS

In one of his exhortations, Pope Benedict XVI said: Mission-minded children are the witnesses of God’s tenderness.

Missionary Childhood is one section of the Pontifical Missionary Works. Its goal: to instil in the children’s hearts a desire to be missionaries, reaching out to children of the world by means of prayers and sharing materially with them. Missionary Childhood supports more than 4,000 projects, benefiting youngsters throughout the world.

Pope Benedict XVI encourages educators to cultivate the missionary spirit in young ones so that they may become passionately involved in reaching out, reflecting God’s Love and Tender care. He states: Children are precious collaborators of the Gospel and apostles of Christian solidarity for young ones in dire need.

HOLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATION

Who could forget the Holy Childhood? When missionaries came to visit our schools and spoke to us about children in faraway countries, our young hearts would respond positively. The world would open up before our eyes, and a calling was heard, that of children helping children. In Canada, this Association aroused and encouraged many missionary vocations. Nicole Gigučre’s documentary “Alice au pays des gros nez” mentions that missionaries’ visits in schools sensitized Quebecers to the possibility of adopting Chinese girls.

A WORLDWIDE ASSOCIATION

The Holy Childhood Association exists in 110 countries. In Madagascar, at the national office of the Pontifical Missionary Works, I can testify as national secretary that Pope Benedict’s appeal has not left us unmoved.

CHILDREN HELPING CHILDREN

This slogan rallies us in our mission awareness activities. A mission-minded child will pray for the children of the world. Around planet Earth a spiritual link is created among young ones. Also, once a month, these children will add their pennies to the Universal Fund—Children’s Solidarity for Mission. In developing countries, this Universal Fund enables missionaries to organize projects benefiting children. It is a Catholic, non-government organization; it is funded by children for children.

THE MICs AND THE ASSOCIATION

As in Madagascar, the MIC Sisters in Haiti also foster the missionary spirit in children. Since 1980 they periodically offer them a mission magazine:Ti Moun Mysionè. This publication helps students expand their knowledge, taking them beyond their own country and problems; they discover other children from around the world and they are called to also be WITNESSES OF GOD’S TENDER CARE. Every Saturday, Sr. Rosette Lafor tune, M.I.C. hosts a program on ‘Radio-Soleil’; she introduces the theme of the magazine, talks about concrete, updated events experienced by the children mentioned in the articles. The stories deeply touch the Haitian youth; as they become more aware of other children’s plights, they count their blessings and pray for all the youngsters around the world.

In Canada, THE HOLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATION is the missionary movement through which students develop a love for missions and become acquainted with children around the world. On their website http://www.missionsocieties, ca/child.htm a students’ corner appears where young people can discover how they can help those who are living in inhumane conditions and extreme poverty.

In all the MIC schools, in South America, the Philippines, Japan or Hong Kong, where there are Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception, the Holy Childhood Association is honoured. Many movements and activities are created in a spirit of solidarity so as to develop spiritual DNA: that Love so precious to all of us brothers and sisters of the great universal family of the Father.