THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ON THE MISSION IN THE WORLD
On 30th November 2019, we will celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the promulgation of the Apostolic Letter Maximum Illud, with which Pope Benedict XV sought to give new impetus to the missionary task of proclaiming the Gospel. In 1919, in the wake of a tragic global conflict that he himself called a “useless slaughter”, the Pope recognized the need for a more evangelical approach to missionary work in the world.
Obeying the mandate of the Lord to “go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature” is not an option for the Church: in the words of the Second Vatican Council, it is her “essential task,” for the Church is a missionary by nature. Evangelizing is her deepest identity; she exists in order to evangelize. If the Church is to remain faithful to herself, then “prompted by the Holy Spirit, she must walk the same path Christ walked: a path of poverty and obedience, of service and self-sacrifice.”
What Pope Benedict XV so greatly desired almost a century ago, and the Council reiterated some fifty years ago, remains timely. Even now, as in the past, “the Church, sent by Christ to reveal and to communicate the love of God to all men and nations, is aware that there still remains an enormous missionary task for her to accomplish.”
It is in this context that Pope Francis has invited the whole Church to undertake a renewed missionary commitment. He called for the observance of an Extraordinary Missionary Month in October 2019 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the apostolic letter of His Holiness Pope Benedict XV in 1919. He is convinced that this challenge remains as urgent as ever. He says, “I hope that all communities will devote the necessary effort to advancing along the path of a pastoral and missionary conversion that cannot leave things as they presently are. ‘Mere administration’ can no longer be enough. Throughout the world, let us be ‘permanently in a state of mission.’” Let us not fear to undertake, with trust in God and great courage, “a missionary option capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channelled for the evangelization of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation.”
This little booklet is offered with the intention of encouraging a deeper reflection on the key elements of Maximum Illud. The booklet follows the sequence in Maximum Illud. For each day, it offers a quote from the apostolic letter, the biblical basis for that thought, a reflection by one of the Popes who come in later, a thought from Pope Francis and a guideline given by our own congregation. The last section suggests a point for personal reflection, an idea for group discussion or sharing and proposals for concrete action.
PRAYER FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY MISSION MONTH OCTOBER 2019
Heavenly Father, when your only begotten Son Jesus Christ rose from the dead, he commissioned his followers to “go and make disciples of all nations”, and you remind us that through our Baptism we are made sharers in the mission of the Church. Empower us by the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be courageous and zealous in bearing witness to the Gospel, so that the mission entrusted to the Church, which is still very far from completion, may find new and efficacious expressions that bring life and light to the world. Help us make it possible for all peoples to experience the saving love and mercy of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.
St. Pauls Publication 