Pontifical Mission Societies

A Meeting to Celebrate

Sometimes business meetings can be long and time-consuming, no matter how productive the decisions and discussions are during them. The meeting I'll be attending next month in Quito, Ecuador, will be long - six days long, in fact - but the outcome will certainly be a blessing, most especially for the Missions.

That August gathering - the third Missionary Congress for the Americas (CAM) to take place since 1999 - continues to reflect the late Pope John Paul's vision of "one America." CAM represents an invitation by the Universal Church to come together as a continental church to focus on our mission history, as well as our mission awareness and mission needs. Having been a participant at all three continent-wide gatherings, I can assure you that this presents wonderful opportunities for comparing and sharing.

The delegates from the various countries in North, Central and South America have distinguished themselves as missionaries, as animators of the faith in home countries or mission countries, or as formators in seminaries, Religious Congregations. They are lay people, priests, Religious, Bishops.

The delegation from the United States mirrors the missionary and immigrant fabric of the United States - the same tapestry that seemed to delight Pope Benedict XVI during his recent visit to our country. With those in attendance from our country will be several diocesan directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies. You can learn more about CAM 3 at a special web site.

Know that at the closing Liturgy on August 17, during which missionaries will be sent, with the blessing of all those in attendance, I will be holding in prayer all who, in prayer and sacrifice, are missionaries from the Americas each and every day.