Vatican
City, 20 October 2013 (VIS) – In his greetings after the Angelus
prayer, the Holy Father mentioned that today is World Missionary Day,
and commented that the “mission” of the Church is “to spread
throughout the world the flame of faith, which Jesus ignited in the
world: faith in God who is the Father, Love and Mercy. The method of
the Christian mission is not proselytism, but rather the sharing of a
flame that warms the soul. … On this Day we are close to all
missionaries who work tirelessly and quietly, and who give their
lives”.
Among
them, he continued, was the Italian Afra Martinelli, killed a few
days ago in Nigeria during a robbery. “Everyone mourned for her,
Christians and Muslims. They cared for her greatly”, he continued.
“She proclaimed the Gospel with her life, with the work she carried
out, an education centre; in this way, she spread the flame of faith,
she fought the good fight! … I also think of Stefano Sandor, who
was proclaimed Blessed in Budapest yesterday. He was a Salesian
layperson, exemplary in his service to the young, in oratory and in
professional instruction. When the Communist regime closed down all
Catholic works, he faced persecution with courage, and was killed at
thirty-nine years of age. We join in giving thanks to the Salesian
Family and the Hungarian Church”.
He
expressed his closeness to the Philippine population, struck by a
serious earthquake, and invited prayer for “that dear Nation, which
has recently suffered several calamities”. He also warmly greeted
the organisers of the event “100 Metres of Racing in the Faith”,
promoted by the Pontifical Council for Culture, thanking them for
reminding us that “the believer is an athlete of the spirit”.
Finally,
he mentioned that this Sunday Mother's Day is celebrated in
Argentina, and sent “an affectionate greeting to all mothers” in
his country.
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