My nest is beautiful!

There is an Italian proverb that says “A ogni uccello il suo nido è bello.” Translated into English, it means: “To every bird, its nest is beautiful.” Surely, there are many ways to understand the message of this proverb depending on what perspective one views it from. To me, it speaks of the importance of cherishing and finding joy, beauty, and purpose in one's gift.

There are many gifts that we may speak of: the gift of a home, family, culture, efforts, dreams, and many other things. For me, the gift that comes to mind is my calling - my vocation to be a Rogationist Religious Priest.

I have been a bird of this nest for 17 years already. Sadly, I have been a bird with a shallow appreciation of my nest. For so long, I did not understand the profound beauty it holds until I was given the chance to gaze at this nest from a wider and deeper point of view. That chance came when I was given the privilege to be in Italy, the motherland of every Rogationist, the birthplace of the Congregation and the Charism, the home of the Founder.

I came for a nine-month updating course, that included a course on the Italian Language, a course for Formators in a university with other formators from different congregations, and an exclusive course on Rogationist Charism, Spirituality, and Mission that involved visiting our communities throughout Italy.

If I were to capture my whole experience in one thought, it would be that this was a moment of seeing my vocation as it should be seen. Day after day, experience after experience, person after person, I began to see unique and different facets of my call.  Each experience exposed layers and layers of meaning I had never thought of. I began to move away from simply seeing my story within the nest towards seeing the story of the nest that holds me.

Yes, I did learn a lot about formation. However, the knowledge that I gained is far less important than the understanding kindled in my heart of the profound beauty of the nest I was hatched into. Each community visit and each encounter with every person deepened my understanding of the grand heritage that I am part of.

My heart was opened to see that the nest was never about me after all. There were birds that came before me, and there will be birds that come after me. Each bird comes with a twig. Each twig symbolizes individual dreams, efforts, and sacrifices, woven together to further build the nest that is for us a shared dream and responsibility, a sanctuary and a sacred space. The profound beauty of the nest is an interweaving of our diverse contributions symphonically arranged together.

With the recognition that the nest is a shared creation, thus I came to see from a fresh perspective, the value of community, Interculturality, and collaboration.

Having been given such grace, I felt a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. I unearthed a richer joy, meaning, and purpose, knowing that I am part of something much larger than myself.

Indeed, for this bird, my nest is beautiful.

Fr. Kristian Irvin Taok is currently in Rome, Italy undergoing the updating program ‘formation of formators.’