A CHRISTIAN'S CALL TO MISSION IS A DUTY AND A GRACE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 11, 2000 (VIS) - This morning, in his address to the General Assembly of the Superior Council of the Pontifical Missionary Works (POM), the Holy Father thanked the many men and women who, "having dedicated themselves 'ad vitam' to the 'ad gentes' mission, have made missionary work the raison d'etre of their lives."

Among those present today were Cardinal Jozef Tomko, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Archbishop Charles Schleck, congregation adjunct secretary and president of POM, and national missionary directors. The four Pontifical Missionary Works are: the Pontifical Missionary Union, the Propagation of the Faith, St. Peter Apostle and the Pontifical Missionary Society of the Holy Childhood.

Remarking that today's meeting occurs within the framework of the Jubilee Year 2000, John Paul II stated that "the Great Jubilee is 'the announcement of salvation' which must be echoed in every corner of the earth, so that those who hear it become in turn witnesses and instruments for the salvation of very person."

He called missionaries "an incomparable example of dedication to the cause of spreading the Gospel," and added that "many times they proclaim the Good News and show their faith in hostile or indifferent milieux. ... God, whose generosity knows no bounds, will know how to compensate them."

The Pope's recalled the duty of those present to "sensitize Christians" to the work of mission. "The call to mission, beyond being a duty for every baptized person, is also a grace. Those who have made it the principal choice of their lives know it well.

In concluding remarks, the Holy Father highlighted the October 18-22 World Missionary Congress 2000, which occurs concomitant with World Mission Day, and which will focus on the theme "Jesus, the Source of Life for All."

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