Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guayaquil (Agenzia Fides) – While the Archdiocese of Guayaquil has already celebrated the Day of the Pontifical Society of St. Peter the Apostle for native vocations on June 29, in the Parish of Stella Maris in Guasmo Sud, the other ecclesiastical jurisdictions of Ecuador will celebrate the initiative on Sunday, July 25. According to information received by Fides, the Day was celebrated for the first time in the Archdiocese of Guayaquil, preceded by several meetings to organize it. The initiative was coordinated by Monsignor Ivan Minda Chala, Auxiliary Bishop and Director of Religious Life, Father Ricardo M. Lazo, Diocesan Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), and Sister Ruth Maria Segarra O., who works for the PMS, with an invitation to all religious congregations born in Ecuador.
They prepared a poster and all the schools in the city of Guayaquil were invited to the presentation of the charisms of the various indigenous religious congregations and to participate in the Mass. The event was attended by over 400 students and many other persons invited for the occasion. Everyone was given a triptych, a booklet, and a brochure explaining the charism of the Pontifical Society of St. Peter the Apostle, prepared by the National Direction of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
The choir of the “Unidad Educativa Bernardino Echeverria” performed the songs during the Mass and helped build a prayerful atmosphere in the liturgy. There was also particular emphasis on the participation of native religious congregations, both in the arrangement of the stands showing their charism, as well as in the Eucharistic celebration. The environment was one a reflection and commitment. The young people were urged to listen to the call that God addresses to each of them and to live their vocation in the state to which they are called. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 07/12/2010)
