Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) - "May we live this Mission Sunday on 21 October for which we have prepared all through the month, looking towards Christ who looks at us as He looked at Thomas so we may experience the happiness of those who believe; this will fill us with ardour to be missionaries of the best news we can announce the Christ is risen and is in our midst" Archbishop Francisco Pérez González of the diocese of Pamplona and national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Spain in his reflection for Mission Sunday 21 October which in Spain has the theme “Blessed are those who believe” taken from Jesus' reply to Thomas. The work of mission is to carry this happiness to all humanity especially those who know nothing about Christ- Archbishop Pérez continues in his reflection -. “As missionaries of this Mystery, on the one hand we tremble for the great responsibility entailed, and on the other we are filled with hope that many may discover the joy of believing". The celebration of Mission Sunday is a challenge to all Spaniards to "seek true happiness in the faith."
Archbishop Pérez said this year's celebration is also a preparation for the Beatification on 28 October in Rome of 498 Spanish martyrs, 60 of whom were missionaries.
In a press conference to present this year's Mission Sunday Archbishop Pérez said that one objective was to appeal for “generational hand-over of missionary work” and to promote vocations; promote missionary proclamation and offerings to help missionaries, "the most beautiful authentic and demanding face of the Church because they are messengers of peace and harmony among peoples". The National Director of the PMS also underlined the generosity of the Spanish people for the number of missionaries and for offerings for missions: Spain has about 20,000 missionaries and Spain is the second largest donor of support the PMS. He said missionaries are "the best ambassadors", and thanks to their work that Catholic Church “shines in the world with an average of 20- 25 new dioceses every year".
For his part the vice director of the PMS Spain, Fr. Anastasio Gil, supplied figures on the missionary of the Church in Spain: 18,000 stable missionaries for life, 59 per cent women and 41 per cent men; the majority are women religious (56 per cent), followed by men religious (34 per cent), priests (5.15 per cent), and lay people (4.31 per cent). The continent with most Spanish missionaries is still Latin America with 71.51 per cent, followed by Africa (14.52 per cent), Europe (8.12 per cent), Asia (5.69 per cent), Oceania, 0.17 per cent. Spaniards donated 20 million euro in 2006 to the Pontifical Mission Society Propagation of the Faith.
PMS Material for Mission Sunday including catechesis for children and young people, schemas for teachers of religion in schools, liturgical suggestions can be down loaded at http://www.omp.es/domund/jornada.htm. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 17/10/2007; righe 40, parole 583)
