Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Navarra (Agenzia Fides) - The Diocese of Pamplona-Tudela (Spain) is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Diocesan Mission of Navarra on December 3, 1958. In its commemoration, various activities have been organized to offer a brief overview of the history of the missionary work of the Church of Navarra.
Archbishop Francisco Perez of Pamplona-Tudela, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies of Spain, has written a letter on the occasion, entitled: “Called to the Universal Mission.” In the letter, he expresses his hopes that the celebration “may serve as a stimulus in spreading awareness of the mission both here and in the whole world.” He also mentions that, “many missionaries continue to impress us with their generosity and self-donation. In Navarra, there are still over 300,000. It is also true that many young people also feel identified with the mission to evangelize,” and thus, he hopes “that there will be a great many generous vocations to the priesthood, the religious life, and to forming a Christian family. We have this responsibility to preach Jesus everywhere we go, through our lives and our testimony.”
In a press release presenting the celebration, Archbishop Perez emphasized the missionary richness that the Church of Navarra holds, using the example of the apostolic zeal of Saint Francis Xavier “as the epitome of a Navarran missionary.” He also emphasized the importance of the work of so many anonymous missionaries, who, in his opinion, “have done so much.” “Even as Europe passes through this spiritual ‘flu’ it suffers from,” the Archbishop said, “on a global-level, the Church is much stronger now than it was years ago.” A proof of this, he says, is that “every year there are over 20 new dioceses created, a sign that it is growing rapidly in Africa and now begins to grow also in Asia.”
Valentin Eguilaz, a delegate from the Diocesan Mission of Navarra with missionary experience in Rwanda, says that this anniversary “should be celebrated with a renewed commitment to continue working in the universal mission of the Church.”
Missions Delegate, Angel Echauri, pointed out the missionary spirit that arose in the 50s, with the encyclical of Pius XII, Fidei Donum, in which he stated that the Bishops “have been conscrated not only for a particular diocese, but for the salvation of the whole world.” As a consequence of this encyclical, Echauri says, over 200 Navarran priests and dozens of lay faithful went off missionary lands in Africa and America, as a response to the Pope’s call.
Mertxe Reta, who has worked as a missionary in Venezuela, spoke of the work of the over 1,300 Navarran missionaries dispersed throughout the world, but also pointed out that “we have to admit our concern, as well, for the lack of youth missionaries.” “That is why we want to encourage young priests and laity in the missionary awareness, that they may not be afraid to take the leap.”
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary, various activities have been planned for March - December 2008. The activities will have an internal character (within the Church), as well as an external one (towards the rest of the Navarran people), and a two-fold purpose: a look back to the 50 years of the Mission and a look ahead towards a renewed missionary commitment.
Among these activities are 50 encounters to spread information on what the mission is, the presentation of a DVD that explains the meaning of mission and “the hopes and desires” of missionaries. In addition, there is also a festival of African and Latin American folklore planned, in cooperation with some immigrant associations, as well as the opening of a new facility for preparing young people with missionary zeal. A commemorative book, on the Diocesan Mission of Navarra and its history, is also underway and in October there will be an interactive exposition. Lastly, in December, as the culmination of the event, there will be a closing act with an encounter for missionaries and their families and friends. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 28/2/2008; righe 51, parole 665)
