Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Vocations at the Service of the Church on Mission,” is the theme that has been chosen by the Holy Father Benedict XVI for the next World Day of Prayer for Vocations, to be celebrated on the 4th Sunday of Easter, April 13, 2008. In his Message on the occasion, the Pope firstly recalled Jesus’ command entrusted to the Apostles: “Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19), assuring them: “I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28: 20). The Pope continues, “The Church is missionary in herself and in each one of her members. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, every Christian is called to bear witness and to announce the Gospel, but this missionary dimension is associated in a special and intimate way with the priestly vocation. In the covenant with Israel, God entrusted to certain men, called by him and sent to the people in his name, a mission as prophets and priests.”
Jesus Christ, through whom the promises made to our fathers were fulfilled, “already in his public life, while preaching in Galilee, chose some disciples to be his close collaborators in the messianic ministry.” In what is called the “ ‘missionary discourse,’ we may take note of those aspects which distinguish the missionary activity of a Christian community, eager to remain faithful to the example and teaching of Jesus. To respond to the Lord’s call means facing in prudence and simplicity every danger and even persecutions... Having become one with their Master, the disciples are no longer alone as they announce the Kingdom of heaven; Jesus himself is acting in them... Precisely because they have been sent by the Lord, the Twelve are called “Apostles”, destined to walk the roads of the world announcing the Gospel as witnesses to the death and resurrection of Christ... The Book of the Acts of the Apostles also assigns a very important role in this task of evangelization to other disciples whose missionary vocation arises from providential, sometimes painful, circumstances such as expulsion from their own lands for being followers of Jesus (cf. 8,1-4). The Holy Spirit transforms this trial into an occasion of grace, using it so that the name of the Lord can be preached to other peoples, stretching in this way the horizons of the Christian community.”
The Holy Father then speaks of the figure of Paul of Tarsus: “The story of Paul, the greatest missionary of all times, brings out in many ways the link between vocation and mission. Accused by his opponents of not being authorized for the apostolate, he makes repeated appeals precisely to the call which he received directly from the Lord...what ‘impels’ the Apostles (cf. 2 Cor 5: 14) is always ‘the love of Christ.’ Innumerable missionaries, throughout the centuries, as faithful servants of the Church, docile to the action of the Holy Spirit, have followed in the footsteps of the first disciples... In fact, the love of Christ must be communicated to the brothers by example and words, with all one’s life.”
And the Holy Father continues: “Among those totally dedicated to the service of the Gospel, are priests, called to preach the word of God, administer the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, committed to helping the lowly, the sick, the suffering, the poor, and those who experience hardship in areas of the world where there are, at times, many who still have not had a real encounter with Jesus Christ. Missionaries announce for the first time to these people Christ’s redemptive love.”
The number of Baptized increases each year, “thanks to the pastoral work of these priests, who are wholly consecrated to the salvation of their brothers and sisters. In this context, a special word of thanks must be expressed to the 'fidei donum' priests who work faithfully and generously at building up the community by proclaiming the word of God and breaking the Bread of Life, devoting all their energy to serving the mission of the Church.” Pope Benedict XVI invited the faithful to give thanks to God, “for all the priests who have suffered even to the sacrifice of their lives in order to serve Christ,” recalling the fact that “through His priests, Jesus becomes present among the men of today, even in the most remote corners of the earth.”
The Message also highlighted, “the main role in the evangelization of the world,” crowned with the hosts of religious brothers and sisters: “With their continual and community prayer, contemplatives intercede without ceasing for all humanity. Religious of the active life, with their many charitable activities, bring to all a living witness of the love and mercy of God.” Thus, the Pope also recommends that Christian communities never fail “to provide both children and adults with constant education in the faith. It is necessary to keep alive in the faithful a committed sense of missionary responsibility and active solidarity with the peoples of the world.”
The vocations to the priestly ministry and to the consecrated life, “can only flourish in a spiritual soil that is well cultivated. Christian communities that live the missionary dimension of the mystery of the Church in a profound way will never be inward looking...The Church prays everyday to the Holy Spirit for the gift of vocations. Gathered around the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, as in the beginning, the ecclesial community learns from her how to implore the Lord for a flowering of new apostles, alive with the faith and love that are necessary for the mission.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 25/2/2008; righe 69, parole 944)
