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Missionary Month 2024
Description:
Keyword: Missionary Month 2024
Missionary Month 2024 began on 1 October with the memory of St. Therese of Lisieux, patroness of the missions. It presents itself as a month dedicated to reflection and commitment to the mission of the Catholic Church in the world. The slogan chosen for the year is ‘A banquet for all peoples’, inspired by Pope Francis’ message, which invites all the faithful to live in a spirit of welcome and sharing, open to the universality of the Gospel.
The theme takes its cue from the Gospel of Matthew (22:9), where it speaks of the invitation to all to the wedding feast, a symbol of the Church’s universal call to welcome every person, regardless of culture or origin. This message is accompanied by Pope Francis’ call to renew missionary dynamism, with an invitation for the faithful to be an “outgoing Church”, ready to share hope and love with all nations.
The Missio Foundation has made available various materials for liturgical animation and prayer, including biblical and theological-pastoral reflections, missionary vigils and the missionary Rosary. Among the initiatives, there are also videos documenting missionary experiences in different parts of the world, such as the Philippines, Madagascar and Peru, with testimonies of life in difficult contexts, but also marked by hope and solidarity.
This month, our missionary family celebrated the 60th anniversaries of profession of five Missionaries of the Immaculate who gave their lives for the proclamation of the Gospel in different parts of the world: sr. Gianna Rosolin, sr. Antonia Mapelli, sr. Pierangela D’Andrea, sr. Giacomina Armici e sr. Marcella Giacomello.
On 20 October, World Mission Day, we also celebrate Sr. Francesca Centorame’s definitive yes and her missionary mandate to Cameroon.
This missionary month is also lived as a preparation for the Jubilee of 2025, which will have hope as its central theme, encouraging everyone to be ‘pilgrims of hope’ towards a new life in God.
