EUROPE/ALBANIA - The mission of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Rrëshen: Hope in the Lord does not disappoint

Rrëshen (Agenzia Fides) - “Hope in the Lord does not disappoint” is the motto of the mission organized by the National Direction of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Albania, in the Diocese of Rrëshen.

Rrëshen, home to the cathedral and the bishop's residence, along with the surrounding areas, mostly rural, with a total population of about 10,000, received visits during the first two weeks of March from missionaries who traveled extensively throughout the territory.
In the Diocese of Rrëshen, located in the mountains of northern Albania, pastoral work is currently entrusted to only six priests and five women's religious congregations. In this context, the contribution of missionaries from other dioceses and congregations represents a concrete sign of ecclesial solidarity and a source of comfort for the local community.

The diocese safeguards a valuable historical heritage and a strong testimony of faith. The mission's focus were direct encounters with families. The missionaries, organized in pairs—a priest and a religious sister or a priest and a layperson—visited homes, sharing moments of listening and prayer. Thus, the guiding principles of these visits were encounter, listening, and hope. In most cases, the welcome was warm and marked by profound emotion. However, there were also more delicate situations: some families, affected by personal or family difficulties, struggled to open up and welcome the missionaries. Even in these cases, their discreet and respectful presence became a sign of closeness and a seed of hope.

“A blessing, a word of comfort, a simple gesture are essential tools that have made the mission concrete. In a time dominated by digital communication, human contact has once again proven irreplaceable,” commented Father Agustin Margjoni, a Vincentian missionary and national director of the Albanian Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), who since the beginning of his term has strived to collaborate fruitfully with the bishops and missionaries present in the country.

Among the most significant moments was the meeting of the missionaries with high school students at the Rrëshen Cathedral.

“The mission was also an intense experience of communion among the missionaries themselves. Coming from different dioceses and religious backgrounds, they shared not only pastoral service, but also everyday moments, such as meals and fraternal dialogue, experiencing how important it is, especially in contexts like Albania, to join forces and collaborate,” explained the director of the Albanian PMS. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 28/3/2026)

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