Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lyon (Fides Service) - This year the Annual General Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies PMS which brings together no less than 114 national directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies from all over the world and the PMS president and general secretaries will take place for the first time in Lyons, the home town of Pauline Jaricot (1799/1862) foundress of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. The occasion will also include the inauguration of renovated the home of the Jaricot family made into a place of memory, prayer and missionary commitment. Among those present for the inauguration on 5 May, Feast of the Ascension, Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyon, Archbishop Henryk Hoser, Secretary adjunct of the CEP and President of the Pontifical Mission Societies, numerous religious and civil authorities from all over the world.
The first part of the General Assembly usually held in Rome, will be a Pastoral Session 6 to 9 May during which the participants will strive to identify “the signs of the times for mission today, starting from the charisma of Pauline Jaricot”. The theme will be illustrated in its historical and sociological dimensions and then examined following four paths of investigation: initiatives of women in the name of the Gospel; young people and mission; the poor and mission; universal mission today. This Session will consist of conferences, testimony, work groups and general discussion on the indicated themes.
From May 9 to 13 the Assembly will listen to reports by general secretaries of the four Pontifical Mission Societies on the activity of the past year and examine requests for subsidies coming from mission territories. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 4/5/2005 - Righe 22; Parole 285)
