Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
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Friborg (Agenzia Fides) - "Here I am: send me": this is the theme chosen for the Missionary Month of October by Missio, the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of Switzerland. The Church of Guinea and the role of the laity will be at the center of reflection and commitment. As in the whole world, the culmination of the Missionary Month will be the celebration of World Mission Sunday, Sunday 18 October.
"The theme of the Missionary Month 'Here I am, send me' refers to the vocation of Isaiah. From the Extraordinary Missionary Month of October 2019 we have regained the awareness that every baptized person has a mission and is a mission, according to Pope Francis. Now we are put to the test, like Isaiah, to answer 'here I am' and to embark on an adventure with God", explains Martin Brunner-Artho, director of Missio, in the note sent to Fides.
"Here I am" is the answer given by hundreds of Guinean Catholics, called to take charge of their very young Church after the departure of foreigners, expelled from the Country in 1967. Although the Guinean Church survived a dictatorship and is flourishing today, it still remains fragile. The role of the laity, today as yesterday, is great, the note underlines. In Switzerland various challenges are posed to Catholics, pushed to redefine their Church. Both in Switzerland and in Guinea, everyone must find their place in the Church to make it fruitful. Missio has prepared animation material available for all the parishes of Switzerland, to invite everyone, during the month of October, to be inspired by the example of Guinea, and to reflect on their place in the Church and on their way of living the Good News every day.
The Missionary Month will officially open on Sunday 4 October in Meyrin, and on Sunday 18 October it will culminate in Missionary Day, which will be celebrated in all parishes, with prayer and the collection of donations, destined for the universal solidarity fund that supports poor dioceses. Among these: N’Zérékoré and Kankan, in Guinea, visited by Missio. The diocese of N’Zérékoré was led by a Swiss Bishop, Mgr. Maillat, who after his expulsion from the country had to take over the reins of the diocese from Switzerland. There are still links between the two countries. "The friendships among the priests, among the Guinean apprentices and their former Swiss formators, among the parishes and the solidarity groups that support social works in Nzérékoré are very strong", observed Martin Brunner-Artho on the field. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 4/9/2020)
