Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bogota (Agenzia Fides) – The Pontifical Mission Societies of Colombia are celebrating, along with World Missions Day, the 80th anniversary of PMS in the country (1929-2009), according to a report made to Agenzia Fides from Father Hector Luis Valencia, National Director of the PMS.
The celebration began on August 22 and will go until July 29, 2009.
Taking advantage of the celebration this year of the 100th anniversary of the Colombian Bishops’ Conference, says Fr. Hector, “we unite ourselves to the Catholic Expo in August, where we launched the 80th anniversary celebration for the PMS, to recognize the Four Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) and the various Animation Programs, Formation, Organization, and Missionary Projects.”
July 29, 2009 marks the 80th anniversary of the PMS in Colombia, although the Propagation of the Faith was already working in Bogota several years beforehand. It began spreading throughout the country in 1924, with the I National Missionary Congress, that called for the establishment of the 4 Pontifical Mission Societies in Colombia. Father Jehane was then serving as director of the Propagation of the Faith in Bogota and promoted the Society in several Colombian Dioceses.
Thus, the World Mission Day this year us especially dedicated to the 80 years of PMS. The theme for the Day is “Servants and apostles of Christ Jesus.” The official logo has images of Christ and of the Holy Father, which give them a missionary and pontifical character to missionary work in Colombia. The photographs of four diocesan priests and a religious who were Colombian Ad gentes missionaries are a tribute to the many missionaries who have dedicated their lives to the evangelization of many peoples and cultures, supported for the past 80 years by the PMS. The five moons, with the missionary colors of the five continents are encouraging the Church in Colombia to “go to other shores,” and towards the ad gentes missions. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 8/10/2008)
