Pope sends off mission teams of Neocatechumenal Way

(Vatican Radio) Build and preserve ecclesial communion, be mindful of the cultural context to which you are sent, and evangelize with love. These were some of the recommendations Pope Francis gave to members of the Neocatechumenal Way on Saturday, in advance of their evangelizing missions in different countries throughout the world.

The community commissioned several new “Missio ad Gentes” teams to establish communities of faith in countries, such as China, India, Vietnam, Mongolia, Finland and Ukraine, among others. Each team consists of priests, seminarians, female celibates and up to four families.

The Pope sent off the missionaries with a special prayer and blessing during an audience in the Paul VI Hall. He thanked the community for their joy, generosity, witness, missionary zeal and work in the Church.

He also offered the missionaries several recommendations: build and preserve the communion of the local churches where they work; give special attention to cultural context for evangelization; care for each other lovingly; and evangelize with love.

He urged community members to respect each person’s freedom and choice and to exercise patience and mercy when accompanying a member, who is having difficulties keeping up with the community’s demanding itinerary.

Finally, he urged members to bring the Gospel “everywhere, even in the most de-Christianized environments” and to be “messengers and witnesses of the infinite goodness and the inexhaustible mercy of the Father”. He concluded by entrusting the community to Mary’s care.

Listen to the report by Laura Ieraci: