Missions

I would like to encourage all, to become bearers of the good news of Christ and I am grateful especially to missionaries, to the Fidei Donum priests, men and women religious and lay faithful - more and more numerous - who by accepting the Lord's call, leave their homeland to serve the Gospel in different lands and cultures. But I would also like to emphasize that these same young churches are engaging generously in sending missionaries to the Churches that are in difficulty - not infrequently Churches of ancient Christianity - thus bringing the freshness and enthusiasm with which they live their faith that renews life and gives hope. To live in this universal freshness, responding to the mandate of Jesus: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28, 19) is richness for each particular Church, each community because sending missionaries is never a loss, but a gain. I appeal to all those who feel the call to respond generously to the Holy Spirit, according to your state in life, not to be afraid to be generous with the Lord. I also invite Bishops, religious families, communities and all Christian groups to support, with foresight and careful discernment, the Ad Gentes missionary call and help Churches that need priests, religious and laity to strengthen the Christian community. And this attention should also be present among Churches that are part of the same Episcopal Conference or Region because it is important that Churches rich in vocations help more generously those that suffer their shortage.

Pope Francis