The following unsigned editorial first appeared Oct. 13 in the St. Louis Review, newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. It is provided here through Catholic News Service.
On World Mission Sunday, Oct. 23, all Catholics of the world join into one community of faith. At Mass that Sunday, we recommit ourselves to our common vocation, through Baptism, to be missionaries, through prayer, participation in the Eucharist and by giving generously to the collection for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
Together with our brothers and sisters in the missions we offer our prayers and sacrifices so that others may come to know Jesus – and to experience his mercy as we express our merciful concern for those in greatest need.
In a world where so much divides us – just listen to the election campaign ads and debates – World Mission Sunday is an opportunity to rejoice in our unity as missionaries. And it provides an opportunity to support the life-giving presence of the Church among the poor and marginalized in about 1,150 mission dioceses.
Pope Francis, in his message for World Mission Sunday, stated that all of us are invited to “go out” as missionary disciples, each generously offering their talents, creativity, wisdom and experience in order to bring the message of God’s tenderness and compassion to the entire human family.
“By virtue of the missionary mandate, the Church cares for those who do not know the Gospel, because she wants everyone to be saved and to experience the Lord’s love,” the Pope wrote. “She ‘is commissioned to announce the mercy of God, the beating heart of the Gospel’ (‘Misericordiae Vultus,’ 12) and to proclaim mercy in every corner of the world, reaching every person, young or old.”
Missionaries know from experience that the Gospel of forgiveness and mercy can bring joy and reconciliation, justice and peace, Pope Francis stated. “The mandate of the Gospel to ‘go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you’ (Matthew 28:19-20) has not ceased; rather this command commits all of us, in the current landscape with all its challenges, to hear the call to a renewed missionary ‘impulse,’” the Pope remarked.
Mission dioceses receive regular annual assistance from the funds collected. In addition, these mission dioceses submit requests to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples for assistance for needs such as catechetical programs, seminaries, the work of religious communities, communication and transportation needs and the building of chapels, churches, orphanages and schools.
These efforts are indeed worthwhile. Please be generous on Oct. 23.
The views or positions presented in this or any guest editorial are those of the original publication and do not necessarily represent the views of Catholic News Service, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Diocese of Trenton or The Monitor.