Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santiago (Agenzia Fides) - Chile "has a dynamic missionary movement especially at home, in which lay people are the main participants developing a spirituality of service thanks to this experience" said Fr Jorge Patricio Pianura, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Chile who added that whole families go on mission during the holiday time and many young Chileans spend part of the free time helping communities most in need of pastoral care.
“Other mission efforts which we cannot overlook are those involving children and sick or elderly persons" said Fr Pianura. They cannot travel but with their hearts and prayers they do". However he also said that many lay people feel they are not supported enough in this activity, indeed "in some local Churches missionary activity is the least concern". In answer to the Pope's call the National Director said the PMS have a concrete aim to ensure that no one feels relieved of the missionary duty and that mission becomes the heart of every local Church, community and parish and diocese. With regard to the Continental Mission launched by the Bishops of Latin America, Fr. Pianura hopes this event will "transform communities, parishes and diocese and help everyone see the needs of all humanity... and ensure that “mission moves from the end of the list of church activities to the top and becomes part of all the national church situation".
As in previous years the national PMS office prepared special World Mission Day material including a poster elaborated by the missionary experience of Chilean nun on mission in Cuba; a working paper for the missionary month for children, families and sick persons; a Mission Sunday liturgical text and suggestions for homilies; “Chile Misionero” magazine with a dossier to encourage and accompany celebrations for Mission Sunday; 31 radio mission messages for diocesan radio stations to broadcast through the month; interviews with Chilean missionaries on mission ad gentes. PMS- Chile will join in the universal 'prayer around the world' initiative 9-10am on 21 October. Initiatives during October include Mission Exhibitions in the archdiocese of Santiago and other diocese on missionary work in schools, universities and religious movements.
In the context of the missionary Month from 23 - 25 October there will be the 1st National Mission Congress on the theme of the 50th anniversary of the Fidei Donum Encyclical. The aim of the Congress, promoted by the local national office of the Pontifical Missionary Union and the Chilean Bishops Commission for Mission, is to increase a spirit of “Fidei donum” mission and at the same time thank God for the fruits of the encyclical manifested in the generous work of so many priests who have come to Chile.
The National Director recalls the on 8 September Calama prelature in north Chile sent Fr Walter Luna Morales as a Fidei Donum missionary to the diocese of Tilarán in Costa Rica. Fr. Walter had served as PMS director in the Prelatura for 12 years. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 3/10/2007; righe 44, parole 621)
