Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – With the liturgical feast of Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897), proclaimed Patroness of the Missions in 1927, along with Saint Francis Xavier, today (October 1) marks the beginning of the Month of the Missions, which will be crowned by the celebration of World Mission Sunday on the second-to-the-last Sunday of the month, October 18. In several countries, depending on the circumstances, the Day is moved to another Sunday. October has been chosen as Mission Month, in honor of the discovery of America, which opened a new, important page in the history of evangelization.
In Italy and in other countries, where the initiative has formed a part of an age-old tradition, the four weeks of October are each dedicated to a specific theme. The Italian Pontifical Mission Societies propose: 1. Contemplation, 2. Vocation, 3. Responsibility, 4. Charity, 5. Gratitude.
In his Message for World Mission Sunday 2009 “The nations will walk in its light" (Rev 21:24), the Holy Father Benedict XVI mentioned that “the Church works not to extend her power or assert her dominion, but to lead all people to Christ, the salvation of the world” in that “the effort to proclaim the Gospel to the people of today... is a service rendered to the Christian community and also to the whole of humanity.”
In the Chapel of the “Propaganda Fide” Building in Rome, the Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Archbishop Robert Sarah, presided the morning Mass in honor of Saint Therese. The Mass was attended by the Cardinal Prefect, Undersecretary, priests, religious, and laity of the Congregation and the International Secretariats of the Pontifical Mission Societies. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 1/10/2009)
