AMERICA/ARGENTINA - Message from CELAM on Mission and Spirituality: "The Continental Mission should be open to the mission ad gentes, that is to say to all peoples, to the ends of the earth."

Monday, 9 November 2009

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Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) - “Gathered in Buenos Aires October 26-30, 2009, convened by the Department of Mission and Spirituality of CELAM, in these days we have shared the Word of God, the Eucharist, the joys and hopes of life, of our peoples, and we were also motivated by the challenges of Continental Mission and pastoral conversion. As missionaries disciples of Jesus Christ and obedient to the Holy Spirit leading the mission, we explored the theme of the Mission Ad Gentes, catechesis, liturgy and the popular devotion/piety.” This is what is written by Fr. Edmundo Valenzuela, Apostolic Vicar of Chaco and Head of the Mission Ad Gentes Department of CELAM, in the "Message on Mission and Spirituality" issued from Buenos Aires at the end of the meeting, addressed to bishops, priests, religious and laity.
Starting by the appeal to conversion to pastoral and ecclesial renewal, required by the document of Aparecida, the participants in the meeting shared the need and the great wealth of greater integration and cooperation between different sectors and pastoral area. Among the conclusions are the following points: the Continental mission should be open to the mission ad gentes, that is to say to all peoples, "to the ends of the earth"; the catechism, as Christian initiation, should become an authentic catechumenate that integrates faith and life, not forgetting its social dimension and its missionary dimension; the liturgy leads our Christian communities to live the profound encounter with Christ and transform society by strength of his love; popular piety, which is so deeply rooted in the Virgin Mary and the Saints, should focus increasingly on the Word of God and Jesus Christ, the only Savior of mankind.
The statement concludes with an invitation to "press forward with enthusiasm and hope in the Continental Mission and pastoral conversion," because only "in the light and power of the Holy Spirit can we contribute to the plans of God, who always wants the best for His children. Living in this world, which is a common home for all. May Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas and the Caribbean, bless us all.” (EC) (Agenzia Fides. 09/11/2009)