As a new millennium dawned, the Columbans looked back on their achievements in the 20th century, while similarly casting an eye to the future of the Society.
The much-feared Y2K disaster never occurred, but much political and social change had taken place all over the world, and within the Society itself.
The Columban ordinations of the year 2000 reflected the increasingly international character of the Columban Fathers, including new priests from the Philippines, the United States, and Korea.
Within the first few years of the 21st century, the Columbans would reestablish or expand their presence in countries from which they had been expelled, like Myanmar and mainland China.
The Missionary Society of St. Columban entered the new millennium with hope for the future and a recognition of needs that were changing with the times.