Popular Missions

A SIMPLE WAY TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE PEOPLE, SEEKING THE CONVERSION OF SINNERS

Popular Mission is a simple way to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people. A group of religious and priests work in a parish for one or two weeks. They visit the families and the sick of the community and they organize activities such as: recreational activities for children and youth; moments of prayer; processions in the neighborhood; talks and preaching; Confessions and the administration of the Sacraments. It is an excellent way to fulfil Christ’s call to mission: Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned (Mk 16:15-16).

The purpose of the Popular Mission is the conversion of sinners, which is the conversion of the heart, the return to the truth and friendship with God for those who have lost the faith and grace due to sin. “It calls routine Christians to a more perfect life, excites religious fervor in souls, it convinces them to live the Beatitudes, and awakens priestly and religious vocations.”[1] We are convinced that God wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). For this reason, we are committed to work for men’s salvation through Christ, repeating the words of St. Louis Orione: “Place me, Lord, on the mouth of hell, so that I, by your mercy, may close it.”[2]

Other activities

[1] Saint John Paul II, Speech to the participants of the Italian National Congress on the theme “Missions to the people for the 80’s” (06/02/1981).

[2] Saint Louis Orione, Points from February, 1939; cf. Directory of Spirituality, 321.

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