Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Fides Service) - "We rely on our children" says National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Spain Bishop Francisco Pérez in an interview on the occasion of Missionary Childhood Day in Spain 23 January. This year the slogan is “Open your eyes to mission”. In this year of the Eucharist called by Pope John Paul II, Bishop Pérez encourages all Catholics to approach the Sacrament with renewed devotion and reverence, not to let a day pass without a visit to Christ present in the tabernacle and to beg Christ in prayer to grant peace, justice, brotherhood and solidarity to the whole world.
The PMS in Spain issued a Missionary Childhood Day Dossier of information with the slogan and the poster, the objectives of the Day, some figures on the situation of children in the world, and with regard to aid provided by PMS Spain. The dossier includes also interviews with various people Bishop Francisco Pérez, Marta Barral Nieto lay Xaverian missionary in Burundi and Sister Juliana Calvo a member of the Servants of Mary on mission in Mozambique.
“Open your eyes to Mission” is a call to children to realise that millions of other children suffer from poverty, hunger, solitude, disease... "If we open our eyes - says Bishop Pérez - we then open our hearts. A child unaware of the needs of others will never become mature. But if taught to see the needs of other children then every little boy or girl will naturally show concern."
The Day has several objectives: give new impulse to Missionary Childhood in parishes and dioceses and families encouraging parents to take part; help children realise the situation of less fortunate children without even the basic necessities; encourage children and young people to collect funds for Missionary Childhood programmes in mission countries.
In 2003 Asia was the continent which received the largest sum of aid (49%) from Missionary Childhood in Spain which went for programmes in India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Africa followed with 48% to Nigeria, Democratic Congo, Rwanda, Madagascar and Uganda. America was last with 3% of donations received used for programmes in Granada and Guyana.
Material prepared by the PMS in Spain for Missionary Childhood day 2005 includes a theological reflection, an itinerary of missionary catechesis for children indications for activities in schools, and for special liturgies all aimed at encouraging children to want to be missionaries, a missionary ten commandments and a video of missionary work among the poor and the needy in Thailand. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 12/1/2005; righe 34, parole 446)
