Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santo Domingo (Agenzia Fides) - “Your Word, Light for the Peoples” is the theme chosen for the 83rd World Mission Sunday to be celebrated on October 18, in the Dominican Republic. As a bulletin issued by the Pontifical Missions Societies from the nation explains, “the Church's mission calls for all the baptized to be light that grows until it illumines the hearts of all the men and women of the world.” In this sense, “all the nations of the earth will walk led by Christ's light,” but one can only be light “putting the Word into practice.” This is the reason behind the choice for his theme, without forgetting that “the missionary disciple should have a zeal and desire to illumine all peoples,” as Benedict XVI affirms in his Message.
PMS National Director Fr. Julio Martin Castillo Majia comments: “The traditional manner of going about the mission needs to be filled with this missionary zeal,” which is present especially “in every young person that approaches Christ to get to know Him.” And if we remain united to Christ, “we will never lose our zeal for the mission.” Through placing the Word in practice, the missionary Church thus becomes “light for the nations, to the point of martyrdom” as the Crucified Himself testifies, as it is “an expression of faith, hope, and love.” With the Cross, “the Church should spread hope to all peoples,” the PMS Director adds.
The Eucharistic celebration of World Mission Sunday this year is “a perfect time to unite ourselves to the Church's mission with our prayer, our dedication, and our sacrifice,” also so as to place into practice the teachings of the Holy Father Benedict XVI who asks that “the ad gentes mission be a priority in pastoral planning.” The second part of the document reflects on the Holy Father's Message for World Mission Sunday 2009, to “encourage the missionary spirit in our parishes and ecclesial communities, and recall once more our commitment to our missionary brothers and sisters who count on our prayers and on our financial support.” The text concludes with an invitation “to all Bishops to promote prayer, self-renunciation, and donation as an act of love and commitment to the missionary work of the Church.” (GT) (Agenzia Fides 9/10/2009)
