Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Managua (Agenzia Fides) – On Sunday, October 11, thousands of missionaries from various parishes of the Archdiocese of Managua participated in the Archdiocesan Missionary Congress on the theme “Disciples and Missionaries of Jesus Christ Priest and Good Shepherd.” The activities began with talks on the themes of the mission, given by Monsignor Miguel Mantica, Bishops' Vicar for Pastoral Ministry and Fr. Cesar Castillo of Masaya Pastoral Ministry. Later, Archbishop Leopoldo Jose Brenes of Managua celebrated a Solemn Mass. “The Lord wants to bring us together as an Archdiocese and, with Mary under the advocation of Our Lady of Aparecida, give us the Holy Spirit to carry out the mission that God has entrusted to us,” the Prelate said in his homily. He then recalled that “as Pastor of this Archdiocese, I asked every parish for the names of their missionaries,” as “God calls us by our first and last name,” to give life to the Archdiocese “of pilgrim missionaries and disciples.” Recalling the words of Pope Benedict XVI in his Message for World Mission Sunday, on October 18, Archbishop Brenes mentioned that “the Church's identity is found in her missionary nature,” and thus invited all to “put out into the deep,” with no doubt that “this is the challenge we have today.” He also encouraged those present to work for the Lord and make efforts so that “this Congress may not only be for us, but may be transmitted to families, friends, and work companions,” so as to “bring the joy of Christ's message to all people.” The Archbishop of Managua then concluded his homily, affirming that for the Archdiocese, “your life is the Mission.” (GT) (Agenzia Fides 16/10/2009)
