74 and Franciscans were under papal law and thus avoided liquidation. Among the school graduates were also two future Marians: Fr. Andrew Katkoff and Fr. George [Gleb] Briancianinoff. To counteract Orthodox propaganda and to explain Catholic doctrine, Fr. Abrantowicz began to publish the Uniates-Catholic periodical Katoliceskij Vestnik [The Catholic Messenger] as the official organ of the Russian Byzantine-Slavic Ordinariate in China. Aside from the aforesaid newsletter, the Marian mission in Harbin published other items: calendars, pamphlets, and books which shed light on the unclear issues of the Uniate Church. Read reluctantly at first and regarded as propaganda by the Russian Orthodox, these materials gained more importance and recognition over time. They served the cause of reconciliation and ecumenism. At the end of December 1934, a religious house was established in Harbin, and in 1937 a novitiate was opened for candidates to the Congregation. In 1941, the mission purchased a five-hectare farm 35 km south of Harbin. A residential house and farm buildings were erected there. The farm grew vegetables, raised cattle and cultivated orchards. In 1948, the religious climate in Harbin suffered a drastic decline. On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1948, the mission in Harbin was liquidated. The priests were arrested by the Chinese communists, handed over to the Soviets and sent to Siberia. Did the Marian mission in Harbin make sense since it had only lasted 20 years and was so suddenly terminated? Our modern times are geared towards quick success and great achievements. The Church does not have to accept such logic at all. The logic of the Church is the Gospel: It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. In a way, the Church and, consequently, our Congregation, according to God, should leave behind the logic of calculation and profitability! For what? To remain on the path of Abraham’s faith, to abide by the prophetic spirit of our Father Founder and the Renovator. To heed the story of the Marian heroes who drew endless strength from the mystery of the Cross and Resurrection of Christ and hoped against hope for the blessed fruits of their work. They were like Abraham in the Old Testament:
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