Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dakar (Agenzia Fides) - "The Missionary Month is a renewed commitment of all Christians of our two Countries to witness the Gospel in the wake of the new evangelization. A commitment of our Churches to make the Good News known to all", writes Fr. Bruno Favero, OMI, National Director of Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Senegal and Mauritania in his message for the Month Missionary, of which a copy was sent to Fides.
Recalling the teaching of Pope Paul VI ("The Church exists to evangelize") and of Blessed Pope John Paul II ("Faith is strengthened when it is given to others"), Fr. Bruno says that "the missionary dimension is not just for priests: it is a need inscribed in our Baptism and every baptized person is called to take on the responsibility of this task: to share around him the gift of the Gospel".
"The Missionary Month of October - continues the National Director of the PMS - is therefore the privileged moment to understand our missionary vocation, to offer time and means so that the Gospel continues its journey into the hearts of our contemporaries, the time to offer our suffering, dear sick people, so that the Gospel penetrates in our society". The Missionary Month is also "a strong moment to live solidarity in the Church, giving the little we have so that, in turn, the Church distributes the fruits of this solidarity to all the Churches in the world, especially those under construction like ours" .
As concrete actions to live the Missionary Month, Fr. Bruno suggested prayers, offering material goods but also of suffering. Praying the rosary is particularly recommended "to find with Mary, the paths of the Mission".
"In our Senegal, with its contradictions and weaknesses in the face of legitimate expectations for the next elections, Christians are called to a greater commitment to be protagonists in the renewal of our country", said Fr. Bruno.
"In this sense, to join the Mission and the Rosary is for our Church the opportunity to live this commitment for the country under the gaze of Mary, Our Lady of the Mission. Sharing the Gospel, to communicating the Good News becomes then the original contribution of Christians in Senegal and Mauritania to the construction of their countries, and the advent of the civilization of love" concludes the message. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 01/10/2011)
