Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - "The centrality of the Kingdom of God" is the title and theme of the October 2021 Bulletin of the International Secretariat of the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood (POSI) to be distributed in these days.
The month of October, which began with the liturgical memorial of Saint Therese of Lisieux, is the missionary month par excellence which ended on Sunday, October 24 with the celebration of World Mission Day with the theme "We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard" (At 4.20).
"I believe that this year’s theme is more than ever child-friendly, as it highlights two genuine characteristics such as simplicity and spontaneity", writes Sr. Roberta Tremarelli, Secretary General of the Pontifical Society of Holy Childhood in her editorial, which resumes "they are the same that every Christian, evangelizer, witness, missionary disciple should have in proclaiming the Gospel, taking advantage of every opportune and inopportune occasion, as Saint Paul said. Just like children, in their simple and unpretentious manner. Who better than a child can teach us to proclaim the Gospel and be a missionary? A child does not think or foresee the setbacks, he just moves forward, has faith and that’s enough". Sister Tremarelli recalls how this spirit was already prefigured in Pauline Marie Jaricot, foundress of the first missionary society in May 1822, that of Propagation of the faith. "In these days the date of her beatification has been announced: May 22, 2022 in Lyon. We rejoice with the whole Church for this forthcoming new Blessed, a woman of faith who in her sensitivity and simplicity gave life to a Society that has supported missionaries and the mission of the universal Church for 200 years".
The theme of the Bulletin "The centrality of the Kingdom of GOd" by Father Leonardo Rodriguez, National Director of the PP.OO.MM in Uruguay who, referring to Jesus' invitation to become like children, tries to identify some of the characteristics of a child’s bonding (relational) capacity and from there identify some related characteristics of Christian spirituality: "A spirituality for missionary childhood according to St. Therese of Lisieux and St. John Paul II" is the contribution signed by Rafael Santos, collaborator of the PP.OO.MM. National Direction in Spain, who says: "Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, patroness of the Missions at the age of seven, joined the Society of the Holy Childhood, now called Missionary Childhood, an important detail because "it allows us to understand that the life and spirituality of this saint can illuminate the life and spirituality of our Missionary Childhood today".
Among the other topics covered in this issue: the voice of children from the national directions of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Malawi, Colombia, Philippines; news from the dioceses: Bolivia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, India, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Peru. There is also news of the "Little missionaries in Burundi" and projects of religious education and basic assistance for the children of the remote villages of Babiko, Mou and Rapa, and the Ndjiatar reintegration center for disabled children. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 25/10/2021)
EUROPE/ROMANIA - Children's mission organizations from European countries come together in Bucharest: The focus is on cooperation
EUROPE/FRANCE - Inauguration of the "Point Mission" in the heart of Lourdes
VATICAN - World Missionary Childhood Day: "Spiritual cooperation" the theme of the initiatives being carried out all over the world
ASIA/JAPAN - Bishop Berndt: "We learn peace and non-violence from the people in Okinawa"
ASIA/CHINA - 470 baptisms in Shanghai, consecration of a new church in Wenling: an Easter full of fruits of faith
ASIA/CHINA - “Good person of Nanjing”: Catholic nun honored as a “moral role model” by the authorities
AFRICA/TOGO- Caritas and "Justice and Peace" project to prevent conflict on the Togo-Benin border