Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Brasilia (Fides Service) - To arrange articulated organisation of Missionary Youth Groups in Brazil recently the National office of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Brazil held a 1st Meeting for Representatives of Missionary Youth Groups at the PMS Offices in Brasilia. The Meeting worked on the results of a census of groups all over the country with regard to experience gained in order to organise a national coordination team.
It emerged from this first meeting that many members of Missionary Youth are former Holy Childhood children who are used to PMS methods of formation whereas others come from pastoral groups and movements where they had an experience of missionary spirit .
National PMS Director in Brazil Fr Daniele Lagni noted however that many young people lack formation and animation for mission ad gentes. Therefore rather than create a new structure the PMS intends to present the proposal of mission ad gentes to young people in such a way as to help them be apostles of life, of solidarity, of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and also to offer them a service of coordination of the different groups. This will also favour, in view of mission ad gentes, an apostolic exchange among local Churches.
This first meeting of Missionary Youth Groups outlined the profile of young missionary, the identikit of Missionary Youth, methods of formation in missionary spirit and commitment: “These groups must be aware of their missionary carisma and role; a sense of PMS membership, well formed in the missionary dimension and ready to share it with others; they must have a deep and living experience of Christ in order to make him known to others; they must know, accept and transform their personal and social reality in the light of the Gospel, etc”.
Missionary Youth must be part of ordinary pastoral care and activity because it is not a movement, but rather a group connected with the Pontifical Mission Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Therefore Missionary Youth must be recognised and be part of every Parish Mission Council, Diocesan Mission Council and Regional Mission Council. The Pontifical Mission Society St Peter Apostle will promote programmes for the sending of young people to missions beyond frontiers. It was also said the Missionary Youth Groups should strive to be self-supporting.
It was established that formation material will consist of local publications and those produced by the PMS national office, or the PMS in other countries in order to promote sharing of experience and material among young missionaries in different countries. This first meeting will be followed with other meetings for reflection and coordination.(RZ) (Agenzia Fides 11/7/2005, righe 38, parole 501)
