IN his last message published to the world, Pope John Paul II called on the faithful to be “generous evangelisers” by fighting injustice and poverty while spreading the Gospel.
On April 15 the Vatican released the Pope’s annual World Mission Sunday message.
The message was signed by the late Pope and dated February 22, the feast of the Chair of St Peter.
The Vatican said Pope John Paul wished the message to be made public on April 15 so that bishops’ conferences around the world had time to prepare for World Mission Sunday, which will be celebrated on October 23 in most dioceses.
Addressing this year’s theme, “Mission: Bread Broken for the World”, the Pope highlighted the task of pastoral workers and missionaries who “travel unexplored paths to carry the bread of salvation to all”.
The Eucharist is not meant just for oneself, he wrote; it is a gift that must be shared with all people.
CNS
