Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tunja (Fides Service) - The aim of the 4th National Mission Meeting for Major Seminarians held at Tunja-Boyaca major seminary 8 - 11 July was to “strengthen the spirit of mission among Seminarians especially by means of a mission-group in every seminary to bear missionary witness so that during their formation future priests develop awareness of the Church’s universal nature and prepare to witness to the Gospel there where it is most necessary ”. The theme of the meeting was “Let us acquire a spirit of universal mission!”.
About 132 Seminarians representing 30 seminaries in 24 dioceses took part in the meeting promoted by the Colombian Bishops’ department for vocations and seminaries in collaboration with the National Pontifical Mission Societies PMS and the hosting seminary of Tunja. Archbisop Augusto Castro Quiroga of Tunja, President of the Colombian Bishops Conference gave the opening address on “Challenges of Mission today”. This was followed be a series of talks: Fr Jairo Gómez missiologist, “missionary reawakening”; Mgr. Rigoberto Corredor “Missionary formation in seminaries”; Fr Héctor Luis Valencia, PMS national director “Seminarians and commitment to the four Pontifical Mission Societies”.
Conclusions and resolutions issued at the end of the meeting stressed the need to increase mission awareness among the people of God: “Mission gives meaning, openess and strength to all priests. We future priests feel called to the universal mission but it is necessary to promote missionary spirit and formation in Seminaries. We are ready to animate mission with our bishops and with the diocesan director of missions and the diocesan mission centre. We are commited to: holiding a meeting in 2006 during Easter Week with candidates for mission ad gentes; to encourage other seminarians to turn their steps to missionary conversion starting with their own house of formation; to prepare a delegation of seminarians to take part in the 5th National Mission Meeting for Major Seminarians in 2007 at Manizales major seminary; to comunicate with others that which we have seen and received at this meeting by means of missionary animation of Missionary Animation Groups GAM Seminaries; establish contact between GAM and POM; intensify missionary spirituality, formation and animation with the help of the bishop, the national mission centre and the PMS; in vacation time promote missionary cooperation with other dioceses Diocesi. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 28/7/2005 - Righe 34, Parole 456)
