Next ArticleSunday, October 22, 2017, will be World Mission Day. The observance began in 1926, when Pope Pius XI created a day of prayer for missions. Pope Francis” message for the day, issued on June 4, 2017, follows:
Mission at the heart of the Christian faith
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Once again this year, World Mission Day gathers us around the person of Jesus, “the very first and greatest evangelizer” (Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 7), who continually sends us forth to proclaim the Gospel of the love of God the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. This Day invites us to reflect anew on the mission at the heart of the Christian faith. The Church is missionary by nature; otherwise, she would no longer be the Church of Christ, but one group among many others that soon end up serving their purpose and passing away. So it is important to ask ourselves certain questions about our Christian identity and our responsibility as believers in a world marked by confusion, disappointment and frustration, and torn by numerous fratricidal wars that unjustly target the innocent. What is the basis of our mission? What is the heart of our mission? What are the essential approaches we need to take in carrying out our mission?
Mission and the transformative power of the Gospel of Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life
Mission and the kairos of Christ
Mission inspires a spirituality of constant exodus, pilgrimage, and exile
Young people, the hope of mission
The service of the Pontifical Mission Societies
Carrying out our mission with Mary, Mother of Evangelization
From the Vatican, 4 June 2017
Solemnity of Pentecost
© Libreria Editrice Vatican
JF
