Pope Francis has announced October 2019 as the Extraordinary Mission Month with the theme: “Baptized and Sent: The Church on a Mission in the World”.
There are four dimensions, specified by the Pope, to living more intensely this Missionary Month of October:
a) A personal encounter with Jesus Christ alive through the Eucharist and the Word of God, and calling us to personal reflection and prayer with others;
b)Testimony: being inspired by missionary saints, martyrs and people of faith scattered throughout the world, as an expression of the Spirit bringing life and hope for all;
c) Formation for Mission: being formed and shaped in life by the Spirit of God at work in and through all creation and the Word of God;
d) Missionary charity: being committed to support the Church’s missionary activities and communities who are too poor to support themselves.
The logo of the Extraordinary Missionary Month October 2019 is a missionary cross where the primary colors refer to the five continents. The Cross is the way and the sign of communion between God and God’s people. Its vibrant colors are a sign of hope and of resurrection. The world is transparent because evangelization has no barriers or boundaries, it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Christian charity and the world transfigured in the Spirit overcome distances and open the horizon of our minds and hearts. The words Baptized and Sent next to the image indicate the two characteristics of every Christian: baptism and proclamation.
In what ways will we by our lives of service witness to justice, human rights, dignity and solidarity with the most needy and thus live out the Christian call to mission?
Let us pray this week for all who stand for inclusion, hospitality and hope and for those missionaries far from home or who are being persecuted for their faith.