Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) - ‘Mission Young People’, a fruit of the 3rd diocesan Synod in Madrid celebrated last year, is the title of an initiative launched by Cardinal Antonio Mª Rouco Varela Archbishop of Madrid on Pentecost Sunday addressed to all young people in the Spanish capital. The Mission has two goals: to help young Catholics strengthen their faith, celebrate it and shoulder responsibility to bear witness to the Risen Christ; and secondly announce and introduce Christ to all young people in the diocese of Madrid especially those most distant from the faith and from the parish. The Mission is addressed to young people aged 14 to 30 years.
“All young Catholics in their own environment and among family and friends, must realise their responsibility to carry to others the salvation won by the Redeeming Cross” said Cardinal Antonio M. Rouco when he presented the Mission. “This mission, which is supernatural not human” is based on the fact “that Christians must realise they are sent by God, they are personally involved in the Lord’s command: Go out to the whole world”.
‘Mission Young People’ will have three stages. The first is a stage of pre-mission from Pentecost Sunday to November 2006 which aims to involve the whole diocese, active young Catholics especially, in the mission towards young people who no longer take part in church life. This period will include various initiatives: youth pilgrimage to the Holy Land led by Cardinal Varala from 16 - 26 July; 2 National Youth Meetings, one in Javier from 4 - 6 August and the other in Guadalupe (Spain) 29 September to 1° October; 8 - 9 November mission sending ceremony on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of Almudena, patron of Madrid; 10 - 12 November Diocesan Youth Week. During this stage a “Mission Course” of mission formation will be offered to young people every Saturday from September to December.
The second stage is the actual Mission itself November 2006 to April 2007 during which the young missionaries will meet other young people, share their faith and invite them to return to the Church. For this period various activities are planned, youth rallies, festivals, testimony consigning of the Bible...
The third stage post-mission starting from July 2007, will consist in welcoming and accompanying those who want to learn more about Jesus Christ and also in assessing the experience of the participants in the mission and the various collaborator diocesan institutions. (R.G.) (Agenzia Fides 13/6/2006; righe 32, parole 443)
