Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Jose (Agenzia Fides) – Priests, seminarians, and faithful gathered together this past Sunday, January 25, in the Cathedral of San Jose (Costa Rica), to celebrate the Conversion of St. Paul and inaugurate the Great Mission that was called for by the Bishops in the last Latin American Bishops' Conference held.
San Jose's Archbishop Hugo Barrantes Urena reminded those present that “the mission is a sending out from the One who has the authority to send us, and may He be the primary evangelizer...just as He was sent by the Father, He sent His Church.” He also mentioned that “the mission should be our constant state of existence. We should not launch this mission with the intention of ending on some later daye, but rather in order to enter into a permanent missionary state that knows no end.”
Addressing the priests present, he reminded them that “the primary task of a priest is to be self-convinced of the fact that Christ is his Way and Truth; he should be a disciple and transmit what he knows and lives, i.e. Christ Himself.” “The first actor in the mission is the Spirit; however, as priests we are called to be its main promoters,” he said.
Addressing the laity present in the Cathedral, and those following the ceremony via Radio Fides, he explained that society is sick and in need of Christ and His Word, and that we need to build “a Church that is alive and not passive; that is pro-active and not only on the defensive.” He also launched an invitation to all the faithful to take part in the formation courses offered in the parishes, to be more confident in spreading the Word to others.
At the close of his message, he reminded everyone that the mission should be rooted in an intense Eucharistic life. “We are living times of great religious indifference, but we should seek the only starting point, because society seeks a community not an Institution; the only means to spread the mission is through a new kerigma.” “If there is no community, it will be a passing experience; our faithful need continuity.”
During the celebration, Archbishop Barrantes sent out over 35 seminarians from the Archdiocese of San Jose, who have been staying at the residence at Saint Peter Claver Parish, where they will remain 1 week visiting homes and working with the youth, spreading the Word of God. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 26/01/2009)
