Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) -"Missionaries are those who, in docility to the Holy Spirit, have the courage to live the Gospel": the Mass of thanksgiving that Pope Francis celebrated yesterday, Sunday, October 12in the Vatican Basilica for the equivalent canonization of two Canadian saints: St. François de Laval, Bishop (1623-1708), and Marie de l'Incarnation Guyart Martin, religious (1599-1672) was entirely dedicated to the missionaries.
"Missionaries have turned their gaze to Christ crucified; they have received his grace and they have not kept it for themselves, said the Pope - ... With this God-given strength, they have the courage to "go forth" into the highways of the world with confidence in the Lord who has called them. Such is the life of every missionary man and woman… ending up far from home, far from their homeland; very often, they are killed, assassinated! This is what has happened even now to many of our brothers and sisters". The Holy Father then highlighted that "Missionaries have served the Church’s mission by breaking the bread of God’s word for the poor and those far off, and by bringing to all the gift of the unfathomable love welling up from the heart of the Saviour".
After recalling the example of the lives of the two Canadian Saints, the Pope wanted to leave the Canadian pilgrims present at the celebration with two words of advice drawn from the Letter to the Hebrews: "The memory of the missionaries sustains us at a time when we are experiencing a scarcity of labourers in the service of the Gospel. Their example attracts us, they inspire us to imitate their faith. They are fruitful witnesses who bring forth life!" The second is this: "Honouring those who endured suffering to bring us the Gospel means being ready ourselves to fight the good fight of faith with humility, meekness, and mercy, in our daily lives. And this bears fruit". In closing his homily, the Pope said: "May Quebéc once again be a source of brave and holy missionaries". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 13/10/2014)
