Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - “The end of October, month dedicated to the missions, every year represents the beginning of a new missionary path that will be lasting and will be renewed the following year with World Mission Sunday.” This is the opening phrase in the statement from the Missionary Youth Movement sent to Agenzia Fides, offering reflections and resolutions from the Second Youth Missionary Convention that took place in Assisi, April 30-May 3, 2009, for the path over the upcoming months. “It was a crossroads of youth from all different dioceses, youth on fire for the mission, ready to be protagonists in announcing the Christian message.”
From the workshops on 9 main missionary themes has come a series of concrete resolutions that the youth are called to carry out in their own daily life. Among these are: the commitment to rediscover their own talents so as to place them at the service of others; work in the construction of an economy of sharing and contribute to placing the human being at the heart of it; being willing as couples and as families to live the missionary vocation in their own parishes and local area; protect the environment, preach the Gospel in light of the cultural context, situations, and people...; request “missionary formation” that helps to see the world with the “eyes of a missionary”; affirm fundamental human rights to health, medicines...for the poor; rediscover the inculturation of the Gospel; offer a spiritual path to our communities to help immigrants; work with members of other cultures and religions in pastoral initiatives; rediscover the urgency to be Christians that seek the truth and good in the mass media; assist the imprisoned to find hope in their lives; relaunch the campaign against the death penalty...
The realization of this work is done in reference to Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, whose 30th anniversary of assassination will be celebrated next year. “As a good shepherd, 30 years after his martyrdom, he helps us to rediscover, through pastoral guidelines, support, documents, and testimonies, the meaning of proclaiming the Gospel of Love,” the statement says. The week will close with a missionary weekend in which the youth will reflect on the life of Bishop Romero as pastor, prophet, and martyr. It will be held April 30-May 2 2010, at the Casa Mondo Migliore, in Rocca di Papa. (RM). (SL) (Agenzia Fides 31/10/2009)
