Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Salvador (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Bishops' Conference of San Salvador has officially announced the country's 1st National Mission Congress for 2008 16-18 May (see Fides 15/6/2007) to help all Salvadorians to "continue to mature and advance in missionary commitment". In the Letter of presentation the Bishops say the "Congress hopes to awaken and encourage missionary awareness among all the sons and daughters of the pilgrim Church in Salvador".
The Letter says this first Mission Congress follows in particular the All America Mission CAM 2 held in Guatemala City (November 2003). On that occasion diocesan directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies and delegates for mission agreed that the missionary dimension of being a Christian is not "something marginal it is fundamental and must be part of the ordinary pastoral work of every diocese and every parish" , CAM 2 was an experience of authentic communion and a profound sense of Church". In the Letter the Bishops recall that preparation for 5th General Conference of the Council of Bishops' Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean in Aparecida with the theme "Disciples and Missionaries of Jesus Christ so that our countries may have life in Him’, gave rise to reflection and commitment among the faithful to help the proclamation of the Gospel. "Following that meeting - the Bishops say - we are filled with a new impulse for the mission entrusted to us by Jesus ". The Church in El Salvador is also preparing for CAM 3 to he held in Quito, Ecuador, in August next year 2008. "All these ecclesial events - the Bishops say - encourage us to respond with new ardour and enthusiasm to Jesus' command: 'Go out to the whole world to preach the Good News …' (Mk 16,15) ".
The theme of the 1st National Mission will be “Parish Missionary Community”, because, the Bishops, underline the parish is the place where believers experience and celebrate the presence of the Risen Lord, where they encounter Jesus and learn to know Him and commit themselves to announcing His person and His message. The Bishops explain that the year of preparation for the Congress, offers an "excellent opportunity for parishes and dioceses to hold Days of Reflection, prayer meetings and events for mission animation. They encourage priests, religious and lay faithful to take an active part in the preparation and celebration of the Congress and conclude "We wish for every child, young person, family, elderly or sick person, every parish community to be involved in this great national missionary event" . (RG) (Agenzia Fides 28/6/2007; righe 33, parole 442)
