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.