“On the occasion of World Mission Day 2022, I renew my resolve to send at least 1% of the members of the Congregation of the Mission each year to the ‘missions ad gentes’, about 30 confreres a year. This has been our desire for some time, this we promised Pope Francis in 2019. We thus follow our charism that pushes us to go to all the peripheries of the world to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus first with personal testimony and then with words and deeds. We will continue to open new missions ad gentes, in all countries where it is or will be needed. As missionaries we must commit ourselves so that Jesus is known, adored, loved throughout the world ”. This was stated by Father Tomaz Mavric, superior general of the Congregation of the Mission founded by St. Vincent de Paul in the century. XVII. Father Tomaz addresses young people: “If among the young people hear the call of Jesus to know more about our founder St. Vincent de Paul, our spirituality and our charism, let us know (https://cmglobal.org) “.
The Congregation of the Mission is present with its own missions in all continents. For example, Father Matteo Nayak, who has been a visitor to Northern India for seven months, says: “We sent 4 confreres to Cambodia in August 2022. I am in contact with them and they say they are happy and committed to learning the local language. We too have opened a mission with a view to entering Myanmar. But due to political and religious restrictions, we have opened a center in Joldam, on the border of Myanmar ”. Father Anil Thomas, visitor of the Province of Southern India since 2020, tells of two missions, in Malawi and Nepal: “I planned the mission in Malawi as a centenary and a memorial of the Silver Jubilee. After completing all formalities on September 29, 2021, we sent 4 pioneer missionaries to Malawi and embarked on two missions at the same time. The missionaries learned the new Chichewa language ”. As for Nepal, “the South Indian Province has started a mission in Nepal at the request of the Apostolic Vicariate of Nepal. Two confreres went to Nepal on 7 July 2022. One of our brother priests is helping the Vicariate of Nepal as director of the new diocesan pastoral center. After registering the Vincentian Society of Nepal, we are looking for ways and means to purchase a plot of land in Nepal ”. Father Anil also recalls the upcoming opening of a mission in Sri Lanka: “We proposed to the bishop of Mannar to set up a Counseling Center for people affected by the war and for other people in the diocese. We also proposed a plan to start a hostel for the University’s Catholic boys, to take care of their spiritual and sacramental needs, and to offer affordable housing to Catholic college students. The bishop was happy and gave us the official invitation to start the Vincentian Mission in Sri Lanka. We thus bought 30 acres of land ”.
