Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – From Africa, Europe, and North America, the diocesan directors and staff of the French-speaking National Directions of the Pontifical Mission Societies will be participating in a training course coordinated by Father Anh Nhue Nguyen, OFMConv, Secretary General of the Pontifical Mission Union (PMU), and Father Alessandro Brandi, Director of the International Center for Missionary Animation (CIAM), from August 25 to 30.The training days, which will take place at CIAM, will focus on the theme of the Jubilee of Hope and renewed commitment to the Church’s evangelizing mission.The aim of the course is to deepen the content, gain a better understanding of the work of the Dicastery for Evangelization, and exchange ideas and suggestions useful for missionary formation and cooperation at the local level. Moments of prayer will alternate with training sessions, followed by working groups. Visits to the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches) are also planned.On Monday, August 25, the course begins in the afternoon with an introductory lecture by Father Anh Nhue Nguyen on evangelization in the context of the Jubilee, in light of Pope Francis’s message for World Mission Sunday 2025 and Pope Leo XIV’s message to the Pontifical Mission Societies (see Fides, 22/5/2025).Tuesday is entirely dedicated to exploring the history and work of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), with two lectures in the morning and an afternoon visit to the International Secretariats of the Pontifical Mission Societies and the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches).On Wednesday, course participants will have the opportunity to participate in Pope Leo XIV’s general audience, while in the afternoon they will examine the future and urgent tasks of the Missio ad gentes in light of the papal magisterium of recent popes. This will be followed by a presentation with questions and answers on the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies in various countries.On Thursday, Sister Maria Rosa Venturelli (SMC) will speak about mission and missionary education in the present day. This will be followed by a session to advance concrete proposals on how to foster the launch of a “new missionary movement.”During the day, visits to the historical archives of the Congregation for Evangelization, the Urban College, the Pontifical Urbaniana University, and the College of St. Peter are planned. On Friday, August 29, the course will conclude with a lecture on communication and fundraising, focusing on the contribution of the International Commission of the Pontifical Mission Societies for Communication, Faith Fundraising, and Digital Transformation. Certificates of participation will be awarded at the end of the morning. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 23/8/2025)
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