By Agenzia Fides
Oct 8 2021
LOME – The health situation in Togo due to the pandemic is still complex. Churches are closed and there are still restrictions due to the Covid-19 virus. Despite all this, the Missionary Month is being celebrated. The initiatives, albeit modified in form, are ongoing and will continue throughout the month. “The awareness of the theme of mission continues through the means available, such as praying the Holy Rosary in small groups”, Father Donald Charif-Dine Fadaz, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Togo, tells Fides.
“Pope Francis reminded us all baptized throughout the world that the difficulties of the present moment must not discourage us, make us cross our arms – continues Father Fadaz – on the contrary, following the example of the first disciples “It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20) as the theme chosen this year for World Mission Sunday reminds us”.
Program and prayer brochures for the missions, information and formation bulletins, sent via the Internet, together with radio broadcasts aimed at the animation of the month are the tools used in this context to keep the focus on the missionary October which has just started.
“Witnessing to Christ is a crucial mission, an authentic duty for all the baptized”, wrote Archbishop Nicodème Anani Barrigah-Bénissan, in charge of the Missions and Pontifical Mission Societies within the Episcopal Conference of Togo, in his letter of exhortation for World Mission Day 2021.
The Archbishop invited the faithful to live the Missionary Month starting from the meditation of the Pope’s text for World Mission Day, in addition to the texts indicated by the various dioceses; the daily meditation of the Holy Rosary to entrust humanity suffering from Covid-19 to the Virgin Mary and finally the generosity throughout the month, and beyond, to financially support the missionary activities of the universal Church. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 7/10/2021)
