Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Salvador (Agenzia Fides) - May 16-18, the city of San Salvador will host the First Missionary Congress of El Salvador, with the theme: “Missionary Parish, Without Limits,” according to a statement sent to Agenzia Fides be Rocio Araujo, Secretary for the National Missions Council (CONAMI). The talks will all center on the theme of the Parish as Missionary Community. The Congress is being held as a preparation for the Third American Missionary Congress (CAM3), to be held August 12-17, in Quito, Ecuador.
The goal of the Congress in El Salvador is “to awaken and encourage the missionary awareness and commitment in the Church of El Salvador, that the parishes and diocese may proliferate their action and commitment to the missio ad gentes.”
An estimated 3,000 participants are expected to attend from the country’s 8 dioceses, in addition to the Bishops, priests, and religious sisters. There will also be members of the laity working on missionary activities in their communities.
In preparation for the Congress, a brochure was made and later distributed all over the country. The purpose of these themes is to produce material that can later serve as a reference for priests and those who work in missionary activities, as well as, to guide personal reflection and awareness towards the missionary commitment for those who will participate in the national congress and in other Church activities in general. The priests have been preparing themselves through an intention formation course on the Aparecida Document, in order to increase this missionary spirit and to foster a personal commitment among the laity in light of the upcoming national congress.
“We place this missionary initiative in the hands of the Queen of Peace, Patroness of El Salvador, asking that she intercede for us before her Divine Son, that this congress may be very fruitful for the entire Church of El Salvador,” Rocio concluded. (RG) (RG) (Agenzia Fides 6/3/2008; righe 24, parole 310)
