Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Loja (Agenzia Fides) - “Missionary of Christ, You are the Hope of Ecuador!” will be the theme of the “Ecuador Mission 2009” scheduled to take place September 4 – 13, as Agenzia Fides has been informed by a statement sent from the Technical University of Loja (UTPC).
The initiative, which is supported by the President of the Ecuadorian Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Antonio Arregui Yarza, is now taking place for the 6th time and follows two main objectives: “evangelization and service.” The main aim is that of reaching out to “the communities most in need in Ecuador.” On a practical level, hundreds of university students will participate in human and professional workshops” in “generous Christian enthusiasm,” “sharing their life experience with people in these missionary territories, bringing the joy of the Gospel to them and placing their knowledge at the service of their brethren most in need, for their human and spiritual development.”
The organizers also explain that the long-term goal of the mission is that “through the service of evangelization and social commitment over the course of several years, the nation may see spiritual, social, human, and economic progress.” There have been impressive testimonies of “great change and impact” in the lives of those who have participated in the previous Missions. In particular, there are several “youth missionaries” who tell of the opportunity they had “to meet their own people, make new friends, and learn to be concerned for those around us, leaving an impression that will allow them to change their lives and give new meaning to our own.”
The text issued by the UTPC concludes with the hope that they will be able to “continue this great dream, thanks to the collaboration and participation of many who have generously offered donations on an economic level, as well as through their professional training,” and encourage all to start looking ahead to the next Mission of 2010. (GT) (Agenzia Fides 3/9/2009)
