Pope’s Mission intention for September

(Sept. 01, 2011) “That the Christian communities of Asia may proclaim the Gospel with fervour, witnessing to its beauty with the joy of faith”.
Pope Benedict XVI’s mission prayer intention for the month of September, once again calls for prayers for the Church in Asia, the most populous continent of the world, where Christianity is a minority religion. In Asia, the forces of nationalism, atheism, communism and religious intolerance have often led to persecution. Yet, the small flock of Christians has enormous power – the power of the Holy Spirit that is at work within the hearts of all believers. It is this power that enables Christians to love and help everyone in need. Through its schools, orphanages, hospitals and other ministeries, which are open to all people no matter to which religion they belong, the Catholic Church reveals the beauty of the Gospel.
The best example of this love for the people of Asia can be found in Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. She loved to explain why joy is essential for the proclamation of the Gospel.. To the question asked by many “Why has the work in the slums been blessed by God?” her reply was - “Certainly not because of personal qualities but because of the joy that the sisters spread in their work to the poorest of the poor. Many people in the world lack our joy. Those who live in the slums have even less of it. Our joy is the best means to spread Christianity”.