Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lagos (Agenzia Fides)- “We are Missionaries of Great Joy” was the theme of the First National Mission Congress of the Holy Childhood Association of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Nigeria. It was held August 1 - 4 at All Hallows Seminary and Holy Trinity Cathedral Onitsha.
Preaching the sermon at the opening Mass, the National Director, Mgr. Hypolite A. Adigwe said that Jesus selected the Apostles and Disciples to continue his work of preaching the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Today all Christians- the Bishops, Priests, Religious Men and Women, and lay people including Children have continued the work of spreading the good news.
In the first lecture that followed titled: “The Meaning of Mission”, Rev. Fr. James Mary Okunbor reminded the children that Mission is a special assignment. “It is God’s assignment. It is going on an errand for God. He sends us out as his delegates, messengers or emissaries”, he said.
In the second lecture Mgr. Hypolite Adigwe, focused on the theme of the congress “We are Missionaries of Great Joy”. ‘We are missionaries of great joy. The greatest joy of missionaries is when they give, when they can share what they have with others. We must learn how to enjoy giving things to others - making others happy, sharing our faith with others, sharing our material goods with others’. He therefore enjoined the children to make maximum use of their mission banks to be able to share their goods with others who are in great need. The next day witnessed the solemn renewal of promises by the HCA Children to remain committed to the spread of the gospel by helping fellow children across the globe and to become better Christian, remaining obedient and respectful to their parents and Coordinators/Animators.
The congress was also an opportunity to help children of various ethnic groups who participated to know more about the different customs, as a way of teaching the missionary children to love their own cultures and at the same time appreciate the cultures of other ethnic groups in the society. In all there were 508 registered children from 31 Dioceses across Nigeria who participated in the Mission Congress. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 29/8/2006 righe 30 parole 313)
