The past two weeks have been the most relaxing time in four years for me and also a time of deep reflection on my life as a missionary. During these few days, I decided to pay a visit to the first missionary I worked with for seven years, Fr. Adolf Pöll, who is now retired in Herbertshaus, Kranebitt, Brixen, Südtirol, Italy. For some time, Fr. Adolf and I have been planning to meet at some point, and this year we made it a reality. Over these two weeks, we spent time catching up on our journey together as missionaries during our days in Witu, Kenya. We even made three videos about this wonderful experience of being together and just catching up. You can watch these videos below:
The last time I met Fr. Adolf was six years ago, and it was good to find him in great shape and still strong beyond my expectations. More than just visiting him, this has been a very good time for me because, besides hiking, visiting people and places around, and enjoying the breathtaking views of Südtirol, I have been watching, listening, and reflecting. It has been a time of tapping into the wisdom of the missionary veterans who have spent many years in mission in different parts of the world.
Whenever we had time together, like during prayers in the chapel or at meals, it kept going through my mind the great work these veterans have done in different parts of the world for many years. Some look stronger than others, with different characters and experiences; yet, there is clearly a community where members love, accommodate, and care for each other. I still remember 24 years ago, in 2001, being invited by Fr. Osward Holzer, together with other aspirants, to his parish in Ngondzen, Diocese of Kumbo, Cameroon. During that visit, Fr. Osward gave us a wonderful talk about mission, a talk that watered the missionary seed in me. And now, 24 years later, he still nourished me with great stories of his missionary experience in Cameroon.
On several occasions in the past, I did meet Fr. Jakob Kirchler, Br. Hubert Neumair, and Fr. Karl Oberprantacher in Kenya and Uganda when they were still on mission there. I was so privileged, on one occasion, to accompany Fr. Karl on one of his outreaches to the young seminarians in Brixen. I met Fr. Leonhard Steger in Witu when he came to visit us in 2010 during the ordination of Fr. Hilary Awiti, and of course, Fr. Gustl Frenademetz, who spent more than 50 years on mission in the Philippines and during which he had very difficult experiences with the NPA rebels. His story made me reflect a lot about my own missionary life. It was amazing sitting at the feet of Fr. Anton Amort, a great man of faith, and listening to his missionary outreach in Cameroon and other parts of the world. At his age, he would still give great news updates to the community, especially in the world of sports.
Br. Franz Kristler, after his many years in Sudan, keeps the house running, maintaining the lawns and watering the plants. All these veterans, after their many years in mission, returned home like the disciples coming back from missions to Jesus to give a report of all that has been happening. Each time we all sat in the chapel for Mass or Rosary, I just prayed that God would help me one day to be like these great missionaries who, after many years of selfless service, are back home to sit at the feet of the Lord and listen to Him.
Unfortunately, during this time, Fr. Alois Stuppner, now 91, fell ill and is currently bedridden, and it was clear how much this affected the community. There is no doubt that daily, Fr. Alois is cared for physically and spiritually. I am sure he really enjoys and appreciates the love of the community. (As we publish this article, Fr. Alois passed away on Monday, 26th May 2025, in Herberthaus, Brixen.)
Above all, it is unbelievable to see what these missionaries, although “retired,” are still involved in. We used to always say as students in Nairobi, “retired but not tired.” I find these words appropriate for our veterans of Brixen, as they are all still busy reaching out to the parishes in need, especially on weekends. On some occasions, some of them reach these places in the mountains on foot to celebrate Masses, visit the sick, give talks, and administer the sacrament of confession, etc.
I can’t forget to mention how impressed I have been with Br. Hubert’s continuous supply to the kitchen of the blessed works of his hands. Br. Hubert, retired but not tired, spends the whole day in his beautiful vegetable garden, which is a challenge to me as a young missionary. Br. Hubert grows many kinds of vegetables, including delicious strawberries.
It was really a fruitful time for me as a young missionary to spend these few days sitting at the feet of our veterans and appreciating how much God has used them in different parts of the world for His glory. And now, although retired, the zeal for mission and reaching out is still very much alive. God bless all the missionaries in the different retirement houses, especially the great missionaries of Südtirol.
Tony Emeka, MHM
