Priest has global ministry

At 70, Rev. James Madden, CSC, wears many hats. One day, he might be working as a psychologist. On another, he might be leading a retreat. The next, he could be working with Doctors Without Borders in places like Afghanistan, Pakistan or India. You can even find him celebrating Sunday Mass at St. John the Baptist parish in Valatie.

For most of his 47 years as a Holy Cross priest, he has worked as a missionary, been involved in counseling the disabled and emotionally challenged, and acted as a retreat leader to seminarians.

But seven years ago, when he was in the New Delhi Airport in India, a chance meeting with some Missionary Sisters of Charity changed the course of his work.

Indian experience

"When I was first ordained in 1957, I was sent to Bangladesh as a missionary priest," Father Madden said. "I spent seven years there and fell in love with the people."

In 1995, he returned. It was while waiting for his plane home that he met the Missionary Sisters of Charity, the order founded by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.

"We introduced ourselves and exchanged backgrounds," he recalled. "One of the nuns mentioned that she was in administrative work. I asked her what that meant. Her simple response was, 'Five months ago, I was elected to succeed Mother Teresa as mother general of our order.' "I couldn't believe it."

New Delhi deal

After they talked for awhile, the sister -- Sister Nirmala Joshi -- offered him a deal: "She said that if I would agree to return to India each year to lead retreats for the Missionary Sisters, they would pay for my airfare."

The agreement opened a door to an entirely new world. Now, in addition to leading retreats for several religious orders in India each year, Father Madden has been able to assist lay volunteers from Doctors Without Borders.

Each year, they travel around the world, assisting victims of such catastrophes as earthquakes and wars. He acts as the volunteers' translator and spiritual leader. Through that association, Father Madden has visited refugee camps in such countries as Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Afghani experience

"The trip to Islamabad [in Pakistan] took us 14 hours by train, bus and rickshaw," Father Madden recounted. "I was detained at the border, the only one from our group of 40 sisters and lay volunteers. The border guards were Muslim, and they were curious about me. It took us nine hours to convince them that I was acting as a translator and spiritual leader for the group."

At the refugee camp, "we found many starving and injured people, including a man who had been run over by a vehicle and left on the road to die.

"Once in Kabul, we had to wait for medical supplies to arrive. There are millions of land mines there, and many, many people have artificial limbs. In Kandahar, near the Pakistani border, we found thousands of returning refugees who are living in endless rows of tents. Afghani warlords have bonded with Al Qaeda troops and have sold the properties of the very poor people. The refugees have no place to go."

Called to continue

The priest admitted, "I know I take risks in my 'old age.' However, I feel really inspired by the Lord's calling. This part of the world has always been my first love.

"We are all called to use our talents and resources in the service of others. We must build institutions across society that protect life and dignity, and promote justice and peace, not only in places like Kabul and Afghanistan, but here at home. We can tutor a child, visit the homebound, volunteer time at a local food pantry or provide transportation to someone in need. These actions help to put a name and face to Christ among the poor."

(Some of the information in this article was provided by the Development Office of the Congregation of Holy Cross Eastern Province of Priests and Brothers in North Easton, Mass. In the Fall 2002 and Spring 2003 issues of their quarterly publication, Signs of Hope, Father Madden shared the highlights of his journey. Each year, Father Madden travels to India for one month to lead retreats for the sisters. In the U.S., he works with Holy Cross Family Ministries, conducts workshops on pastoral counseling at seminaries throughout the Northeast, and is a frequent speaker at parish renewal and mission programs. He resides at St. Joseph Center in Valatie.)

(1/29/04)