Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lisbon (Fides Service) - In the context of the Year of the Eucharist and inspired by Pope John Paul II’s Mission Sunday Message for this year, “Mission: bread broken for the life of the world”, to underline the spirit of solidarity which flows from the Eucharist and leads to mission, the national office of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Portugal chose as the theme for Mission Sunday and the entire missionary month of October “Bread shared for the world”. “Christ, bread broken in the sacrifice of the Cross multiplies himself and feeds the multitudes who follow him. His gives himself completely with eternal love and fidelity. In the Eucharist Christ is for us shared bread which nourishes faith and builds up the community. Christ wishes to be “living bread” for all, he wishes all to share this bread. In the Eucharist we find the source, food, project and summit of mission: Jesus is ‘Bread of salvation for all peoples” says Fr José Augusto Leitão, SVD, President of IMAG an association of Portuguese missionaries, in a message for Mission Sunday 2005.
Fr Leitão recalls that for Portugal this year celebrations for Missionary October are connected with two major events: 3rd International Congress New Evangelisation 6 - 13 November in Lisbon, the visit the relics and a Congress on Saint Therese of Lisieux, Patron of the missions 28 - 30 October in Fatima. These events will make the Church in Portugal “more active, more missionary and concerned for the plight of the poor in Portugal and in the rest of the world”.
To “animate the month of October with prayers and celebrations to make it a month dedicated to mission”, the national PMS office has distributed a Guide for Missionary October 2005” to dioceses, parishes, missionary institutes, schools, communities etc, hard and digital copies to unload from the Internet.
Besides the Holy Father’s Message for Mission Sunday 2005, the Guide presents five themes, one for each week of October. It also proposes a weekly meeting with a Biblical moment, a proposal of prayer and a call to make a commitment. Comments on Sunday Mass readings may be useful for homilies and help liturgical animators to prepare celebrations, and help all the faithful live the missionary month more intensely. The Guide also offers suggestions for a Missionary Prayer Vigil with young people in particular; missionary Rosary, Stations of the Cross and Mass for the Evangelisation of Peoples. It also suggests a “Prayer of the Day” for parishes, families and personal prayer aimed at deepening the spirit and practice of prayer to include universal needs. Lastly the Guide has a section “Mission through the Year”, practical ideas on how to prolong the experience of Missionary October. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 14/10/2005, righe 36, parole 496)
