Vatican City, May 28, 2018 / 06:17 am
Every Christian is called to be a missionary through prayer, working in collaboration with the Holy Spirit, who gives prayer efficacy, Pope Francis said in a video message to the Pontifical Mission Societies Monday.
"Prayer is the first 'missionary work' – the first! – that every Christian can and must do, and it is also the most effective, even if this cannot be measured," the pope said May 28. "In fact, the principal agent of evangelization is the Holy Spirit, and we are called to collaborate with Him."
Announcing the Gospel is a "common task," Francis said, encouraging Catholics to support areas where the Church is new. Through support for the missionary societies "the Church continues to open itself to everyone and to joyfully proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, Savior of the world," he said.
The Pontifical Mission Societies is an international secretariat overseeing Catholic missionary societies under the jurisdiction of the pope. It helps support churches, especially in areas where Christianity is new or not well-off. The group is meeting in Rome for a general assembly through June 2.