Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) – As they do every year, the Pontifical Mission Societies of Argentina have celebrated throughout the country, during the entire month of August, the “Month for the Holy Childhood Association.” The National Missionary Day, which was celebrated on August 23, had the theme of: “160 Years of Friendship with Jesus...Sowing Life in Argentina.”
This year has been “of special importance,” says the message written by PMS National Director in Argentina Fr. Osvaldo Leone and sent to Agenzia Fides, as it is the 160th anniversary of the Holy Childhood Association.
The celebration of this Day is an invitation “to children and adolescents in all dioceses to establish a program of life based on prayer, sacrifice, and concrete acts of solidarity, as the path to becoming missionary disciples of Jesus...in a relationship of friendship with children and adolescents throughout the world.”
“We are fully aware that this commitment to the mission and solidarity is not limited to several weeks or just the month of HCA...but it should last our whole life,” said Fr. Leone. Thus, once again we should also open our hearts “to respond generously to the many requests for aid that reach us from countries poorer than our own.”
Fortunately, “there are beautiful stories of young people who, in helping their friends, have felt identified with the pain and suffering of so many youth like them; to offer them a gift, they have given up a costly game or pastime; and in order to pay for catechism books or build a school in missionary territory, they have organized various kinds of lotteries,” the National Director added. Thus, all are called “to participate in this miracle” and it is precisely “in the most needy children and adolescents” that we can “recognize Jesus' Face,” following the example of the great missionaries like St. Francis Xavier, Matteo Ricci, Charles de Foucauld, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and many others.”
“The needs of the world's children are so many and so complex,” says Fr. Leone. “No act of renunciation or of solidarity, however great it may be, would be enough to meet them all. We need God's support.” With that said, the PMS National Director reminded the HCA children of their commitment to recite the Ave Maria every day, so they may realize “that the efficiency of the mission is above all found in prayer” and they may persevere “in this great practice with renewed strength.”
In concluding the Message, he reminds them of the practice of the missionary Rosary, with the white decade for Europe, “that it may recuperate the evangelizing force that led to the establishment of so many Churches;” the yellow one for Asia, “that it may be filled with life and youth;” the green decade for Africa, “tried by suffering but open to the message;” the red decade for the Americas, “promise of a new missionary force;” and the blue decade for Oceania, “that it may see a greater spread of the Gospel.”
On the occasion of the 160th anniversary of the Holy Childhood Association in Argentina, the Holy Father Benedict XVI has sent out his Apostolic Blessing to all its members through a message signed by Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. Addressing the children, adolescents, and group leaders of the HCA, the Supreme Pontiff “fervently prays for them, imploring God that this event may be an inspiring force that increases their evangelizing zeal and makes them ever greater authentic disciples of Jesus Christ.” In affectionately imparting his Apostolic Blessing, “rich in abundance of heavenly gifts,” the Pope concludes by “invoking the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Lujan.” (GT) (Agenzia Fides 1/9/2009)
