Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manila (Agenzia Fides) - The national office of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in the Philippines is marking 75 years of service to foster evangelisation, support and encourage missionaries, priests, men and women religious seminarians, help the poor and organise missionary animation and awareness building. The office was opened in 1932 and Jesuit Fr Josè Siguion was chosen as National Director by the then Archbishop of Manila Miguel O’ Doherty. Anniversary celebrations which will culminate in 2007 include various initiatives discussed by a recent national Pontifical Mission Societies Meeting in the apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa.
Anniversary activities will look back at the history and growth of the PMS in the Philippines and thank God for assisting the PMS in these 75 years. They will also look ahead to identify new paths and initiatives for missionary animation and rediscover the prayer, moral and spiritual values on which PMS activity is founded.
Initiatives on the calendar include: Youth Mission Camp (30 September - 2 October 2006); Asian Mission Congress (18 - 23 October, in Thailand); General “Pro Fide” Assembly (2-3 December); National Congress of St Peter Apostle Society (17-21 January 2007); Holy Childhood Congress in a Manila (18-22 July).
Special guest from Rome at the recent national Pontifical Mission Societies Meeting in the apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa was general secretary of the Pontifical Missionary Union Fr Vito Del Prete who gave a talk with the title: “The source of missionary activity: Deus Caritas Est and the missionary response of Fidei Donum”. The meeting, attended by clergy, religious and lay persons involved in missionary activity or animation, was an opportunity to share experience and ideas and draw new impulse and enthusiasm in the mission to share God’s love with all men and women. (Agenzia Fides 5/7/2006 righe 26 parole 264)
