by Santosh Digal

Fr. Faustine L. Lobo invites the community to live October, "according to the guidelines laid down in Ad Gentes". He calls for a thorough study of the conciliar decree and the development of a "planned strategy" to give new impetus to evangelization. Witness and unity of the universal Church: "We are all part of the same effort".

Bangalore (AsiaNews) - Reviving the commitment to witness and proclaim the Gospel, according to the conciliar decree "Ad Gentes", a true "manual for missions." With this in mind, Indian Catholics are preparing for the month of October, which the universal Church dedicates to missions. This was emphasized by Fr. Faustine L. Lobo, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in India, who adds that it is important to use "every Sunday in October" to "enlighten the faithful" on evangelization and the missionary role of every Christian.

World Missions Sunday 2014 is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, reports the priest and the faithful "must be prepared" to the fullest; it is essential to "instill the missionary zeal in all," he adds. "The day should be an occasion - says Fr. Faustine - to promote mission and responsibility of every Christian to be missionary."

The contribution that each can offer, he states, must be the result of the need to "feel part of a missionary activity". The clergy, religious and lay faithful must have the satisfaction of being part of the "missionary efforts" around the world.

This year, the Church celebrates the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of the Second Vatican Council Decree "Ad Gentes", the document signed by Pope Paul VI which outlines the guidelines to missions and proclaiming the Gospel. "I feel that priests should do much more to teach people the basics of Ad Gentes - said Fr. Faustine - so that everyone can fully understand their responsibilities in terms of mission."

According to the Indian priest there is need for proper animation to create zeal for mission among the people, well planned strategy and the use of different methods that can  help in this direction. The need of missions calls for a "better contribution". "The spirit of this call - said the PMS director in  India - is to motivate each Catholic to give their support to missions, so that everyone can participate in the proclamation of Christ."

 

• india
• october
• missionary
• month
• ad
• gentes
• Pontifical
• Missions
• society