EUROPE/IRELAND - “Witnesses to the faith”: Fourteen Irish missionaries representative of bishops, priests, sisters, brothers, laity whose blood was shed on foreign soil will be commemorated during Mission Month and on Mission Sunday

Dublin (Fides Service) - The official launch of October as Mission Month took place at Maheramore, Wicklow on 1st October. A call to prayer was followed by a pilgrimage walk to the beach where a boat was blessed. Two religious missionaries missioned to Sudan and Guinea were symbolically launched and sent on their mission. A representative group of the Church in Ireland were in prayerful attendance. The theme of the Mission Month, with particular stress for Mission Sunday is ‘Witness to the Faith’. Fourteen Irish missionaries representative of bishops, priests, sisters, brothers, laity whose blood was shed on foreign soil will be commemorated during Mission Month. It is hoped that their example of laying down their lives for the sake of the Gospel, bread broken for the life of the world, will inspire others to tread the path of heroic fidelity to Christ. Certain parishes will celebrate their Witnesses to the Faith on 9th October. There will be a nationally televised Mass on 16th October. Mission Sunday takes place on 23rd October and 30th October will see involved parishes invited to a National Mass in Dublin, at which Archbishop Seán Brady, President of the Irish Episcopal Conference, will be chief celebrant. (Report forwarded by National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Ireland Fr Edward Grimes) (italian S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/6/2005 - Righe 17; Parole 220)