Earlier, stressing on the importance of evangelization, Most Rev. Alangaram Arokia Sebastin Durairaj, Archbishop of Bhopal and Chairman of the CCBI Commission for Proclamation and Pontifical Mission Organizations India, said that all the ministries of the Church are aimed at evangelization, i.e., proclamation of the joy of the gospel. The Jubilee 2025 is an occasion to renew the spirit of proclamation.
The meeting was attended by 27 regional secretaries and directors. The National Facilitating Team for the Jubilee 2025 proposed different ways and means of integrating the insights of the Second Vatican Council into the ministry of proclamation.
The Pontifical Mission Organizations refer to a group of Catholic missionary organizations that operate under the authority of the Holy See (the Pope). These organizations are responsible for coordinating and supporting various missionary activities of the Catholic Church globally.
The Pontifical Mission Organizations are:
1. Propagation of the Faith (Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, now Dicastery for Evangelization): Also known as the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, this organization was founded in 1822 by Pauline Jaricot. Its primary purpose is to promote and support missionary work and evangelization in areas where the Catholic Church is not well established.
2. Missionary Childhood Association (Holy Childhood): This organization focuses on involving children and young people in the missionary efforts of the Church. It encourages them to pray, sacrifice, and offer financial support for the benefit of children in mission territories.
3. Society of St. Peter the Apostle: Founded in 1889, this organization is dedicated to supporting the education and training of local clergy and religious in mission territories. It provides financial assistance for the education of seminarians and religious novices.
4. Missionary Union of Priests and Religious: Established in 1916, this organization promotes a missionary spirit among priests, religious, and consecrated individuals. It seeks to deepen their commitment to missionary work and foster collaboration with the universal mission of the Church.
These organizations work together to raise awareness, funds, and support for missionary activities, with a focus on areas where the Catholic Church is not well-established or faces challenges. The Pontifical Mission Organizations play a crucial role in advancing the Church's mission to spread the Gospel and provide humanitarian assistance in diverse cultural and social contexts around the world.
The Jubilee Yātra was organised Rev. Fr. Dr. Ambrose Pitchaimuthu, Secretary to the CCBI Commission for Proclamation and the Director of PMO India, and Rev. Fr. Raju Mathew, Associate Secretary to the CCBI Commission for Proclamation. The sessions were facilitated by Rev. Prof. Dr. Yesu Karunanidhi.