Madrid (Fides Service) - With the motto "in the mission vocations are increasing…collaborate!" on Sunday May 4 the Church in Spain will celebrate its annual day for native clergy in mission territories and the missionary campaign Springtime of the Church promoted by the Pontifical Society of St Peter Apostle of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Spain. The celebration will coincide with the fifth pastoral visit of the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II in Spain: Saturday 3 May and Sunday 4 May the Pope will be in Madrid where he will beatify 5 Spaniards.
The objectives of the Day for Native Clergy are essentially the following: increase missionary awareness among the Christian community; strengthen commitment for local vocations in mission territories, both from the point of view of pastoral action and for economic support; foster among the faithful a desire to collaborate with the Pontifical Mission society St Peter Apostle. Statistics issued for the occasion show that about 259,200 young people are preparing for the priesthood or the religious life in mission lands. Many may not be able to complete their formation without the economic aid supplied by the Pontifical Mission society St Peter Apostle. Every year in fact collections for the Day of Native Clergy go towards the spiritual, theological and pastoral formation of young people (seminarians and novices); to assure the normal functioning of the seminaries and provide for the building of new seminaries. During 2002 the Pontifical Mission Society St Peter Apostle with the funds collected all over the world was able to help no less than 72,682 seminarians and 10,688 novices spread all over the world.
On the occasion of the Day this year with has the motto "in mission vocations are increasing…collaborate!" the Pontifical Mission Societies in Spain have prepared special multi-media material: a 55 minute VHS video cassette on the meaning of the Day, vocational testimony and a report on Mozambique, Land of Hope, as well as a CD-ROM of interviews with Bishop Francisco Perez of Osma-Soria, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Spain; Rev. Jesus Torres rector of the Good Shepherd seminary in Mozambique; two missionary nuns. Moreover the review "Illuminate" in the issue for this occasion presents an article on John Paul II Pilgrim of hope - Missionary Pope; a presentation of the campaign launched by the PMS National Director; a study entitled Vocational Cooperation by Miguel Angel Palacios, national secretary of St Peter Apostle; 5 schemas for catechesis; liturgical indications for the Eucharistic Celebration on Sunday 4 May; various testimonies and statistics. For more information see: dir.nal@omp.es; www.omp.es?Clero/jornada.htm RZ (Fides Service 29/4/2003 EM lines 36 Words: 460)