Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and at the direction of Superior General Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., the Congregation of Holy Cross is initiating a new Mission to Papua New Guinea in the coming months. Although this Mission is not overseen by the U.S. Province or the Holy Cross Mission Center, we are nonetheless proud to share this interview with Br. James Walters, C.S.C., a U.S. Province member selected to the team that will inaugurate the new Mission.

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1. Let’s start off easy with some quick responses. What is your favorite…

Movie? The Godfather parts I and II

Song? “From Now On” from The Greatest Showman

Meal? Authentic tacos

Sports team? Boston Bruins

Book? “Lord of the World” by Robert Hugh Benson

Saint? St. Patrick and St. Philip Neri

Encyclical? Mediator Dei (1947) and Sacrosanctum Concilium (1963)

Quote? “It is with the smallest brushes that the Artist paints the most beautiful paintings.” – St. André Bessette, C.S.C.

Thank you for taking the time to be interviewed in advance of your arrival in Papua New Guinea. As I understand it, this Mission is being given the name the “Holy Family Mission.” This name honors Blessed Basil Moreau’s original vision that priests, sisters, and brothers of Holy Cross be modeled on the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. So let’s draw on that:

2. Could you share about the family that brought you into this world and the ways that they nurtured your faith in Christ?

I grew up in the small town of DeGraff, Ohio. I am an only child so my parents and I were and still are very close. From a young age, my parents instilled in me the fact that God loves us unconditionally and that He desires us to know and love Him just as he knows and loves us. Prayer and the reception of the Sacraments were therefore very important to us.

3. Could you summarize your vocation story for us? How did you reach a point where you were willing to profess Final Vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in Holy Cross?

Throughout my junior and senior years in high school, I began to feel a nudge to at least explore the possibility of discerning the seminary. At each instance though, I would push the thought away. Finally, during my freshman year of college, I realized that if this call was from God, it wouldn’t be going away anytime soon! The next year I applied to and was admitted into the Old College Undergraduate Seminary Program. My first few years in formation were very smooth but after returning to Notre Dame for studies after First Vows, I began to feel a profound sense of unease and confusion around my vocation. After much discernment and prayer, and with the help of my spiritual director and formators, I came to realize that God was very much calling me to Holy Cross, but not to the priesthood. I formally petitioned the General Council to switch to the Society of Brothers. My petition was accepted, and while there certainly have been challenges, these first few years as a brother have been a joy and a blessing!

4. What’s your most cherished Holy Cross memory?

My most cherished Holy Cross memory was my profession of Perpetual Vows at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. To have so many friends and family from different places and periods of my life gathered together was such a blessing. I will never forget it!

5. How did you end up volunteering for this new missionary endeavor in Papua New Guinea?

I was very excited last year when the Superior General announced that the Congregation would be exploring the possibility of taking on pastoral responsibility of a new mission territory. I became even more excited when it was announced that the missionaries would be selected from Holy Cross jurisdictions all over the world. I hadn’t heard of Bougainville prior to this past May, but since then I have become fascinated by the history and future of the island. The resilience and faith of the Bougainvilleans really inspire me. To have gone from a devastating civil war in the 90’s to the very real possibility of independence in 2027 very much impressed me. It wasn’t until September 2023 that I really began discerning the possibility of serving in Bougainville. The thought would repeatedly come up in prayer. At first, I ignored it, but eventually I brought it to spiritual direction and then after it lingered in my mind for a few more weeks I finally began to formally explore it.

6. Who in Holy Cross do you look to for inspiration or mentorship as you prepare for Papua New Guinea? What have you already learned from them that you plan to carry with you?

Over the years, I have heard from a few of our men who had at one point in their lives served as missionaries; people such as Frs. Jack Keefe, Dick Stout, and Bob Pelton. While the mission territories are different, the blessings and challenges that they encounter are universal, as are the skills and mindsets that are necessary to have in order to succeed. I have also drawn much wisdom from my spiritual director and from the stories of the great C.S.C. missionaries of the past, people like Bishop Vincent McCauley, C.S.C., Fr. Edward Sorin, C.S.C. and his Holy Cross brother companions, and Br. Flavian LaPlante, C.S.C.

7. Which section of Constitution 2: “On Mission” are you dwelling on most as you prepare for this endeavor?

“Our mission sends us across borders of every sort. Often we must make ourselves at home among more than one people or culture, reminding us again that the farther we go in giving, the more we stand to receive.” (Constitutions 2:17).

8. 7 Provinces and 5 countries will be represented by the 8 Holy Cross missionaries headed to Papua New Guinea, so I have to ask about community living. Living with others can pose challenges, whether those people are family members, dormitory roommates, or C.S.C.s—but don’t tell them I said that! What wisdom do you take from your past community living experiences that you can apply to the new, multi-lingual, international community you will be living with in Papua New Guinea?

This is something that I have spent some time reflecting on. Living with such an international community will surely present some challenges involving communication and lifestyle. However, these all pale in comparison to the recognition that we are all united in mission and united by our common vows!

9. Lastly, what is your prayer for the Holy Family Mission? We would love to join you in that prayer, whatever it may be.

My prayer is simply this: That Holy Cross will continue to be open to the will of God and the needs of the Church and the people whom we will serve in Bougainville, always remembering that “our mission is the Lord’s and so is the strength for it.” (Constitutions 2:20).

Learn more about the Holy Family Mission in Papua New Guinea

Published: October 18, 2024