The Joy Of Evangelization

Dear brothers and sisters, on this World Mission Day my thoughts turn to all the local Churches. Let us not be robbed of the joy of evangelization! I invite you to immerse yourself in the joy of the Gospel and nurture a love that can light up your vocation and your mission. I urge each of you to recall, as if you were making an interior pilgrimage, that "first love" with which the Lord Jesus Christ warmed your heart, not for the sake of nostalgia but in order to persevere in joy. The Lord’s disciples persevere in joy when they sense his presence, do his will and share with others their faith, hope and evangelical charity.

Let us pray through the intercession of Mary, the model of humble and joyful evangelization, that the Church may become a welcoming home, a mother for all peoples and the source of rebirth for our world.

-Pope Francis, Message For World Mission Day 2014

Papal Intentions For October

This month, Pope Francis asks us to pray that, “the Lord may grant peace to those parts of the world most battered by war and violence.” He also asks us to pray that, “World Mission Day may rekindle in every believer zeal for carrying the Gospel into all the world.”

Let us pray with the Holy Father this October, for peace throughout the world and for World Mission Day.

Papal Intentions for October

Pope Francis is asking us to pray this month for people in despair, “that those feeling so crushed by life that they wish to end it may sense the nearness of God’s love.” He also asks us to pray for World Mission Day, that the celebration “may help all Christians realize that we are not only receivers but proclaimers of God’s word.”

Let us pray, then, that we may be a people on mission this month, especially in reaching out to those who need to know Christ’s love for them.

Papal Intentions for October

Pope Benedict XVI’s October prayer intentions are “that the New Evangelization may progress in the oldest Christian countries,” and “that the celebration of World Mission Day may result in a renewed commitment to evangelization.” 

As the Synod on the New Evangelization continues and as the Church prepares to celebrate World Mission Day, let us pray with our Holy Father for the Church’s evangelization efforts, both in its old and new forms.