The Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of Brazil have confirmed the missionary campaign for the month of October, even if the world is experiencing a difficult time, due to the pandemic that has changed our relationships. The Missionary Campaign this year wants to be a sign of hope for many lives given in a spirit of solidarity. The chosen theme «Life is mission» and the motto «Here I am, send me» (Is 6,8) intend to contribute to the growth of missionary awareness.
Fr. Maurício da Silva Jardim, National Director of the PMS in Brazil, explains the new reality experienced in the context of a pandemic in the note sent to Fides News Agency: «In difficult times, times of social isolation, cancellation of many pastoral and missionary programs, activities, meetings, and formation, mission has not been canceled, it continues, because mission is permanent».
The animation material for the missionary month will be sent to all dioceses next July. The new reality of social isolation requires each community to find its own way of living the missionary month according to the local situation. The missionary novena, for example, can be celebrated in families, in their homes.
As the PMS press release explains, the symbolic image that distinguishes the 2020 Missionary Campaign presents the mission as an open window on life. The image of the window represents the human being’s ability to interact with the world around him and thus reawaken his real and generous interest in his fellow men. In this moment of social isolation in which we live, the window is the means to maintain our relationships with the world and with those we love. The open window represents the welcoming attitude towards the world, a bridge that puts us in dialogue with the challenges of life beyond our personal borders. At the center of this window is the figure of Pope Francis, who embodied the mission in his life, depicted in the attitude of those who welcome and take care, giving us the example of a life in which the mission is intertwined with the more simple situations of everyday, in line with the teachings of Jesus.
This image is on a white background, like a pictorial canvas, which intends to show the centrality of a life that acquires meaning and color only to the extent that it is lived as a mission, as a donation and delivery to the brothers. Our unique way of dealing with situations, our talents, and skills at the service of the Kingdom of God, makes the difference and can color life with extraordinary and unexpected tones.
