Panorama of the Sending Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.There were more than 1,600 communities served by over 20,000 missionaries across Mexico. From Saturday, April 8 to Saturday, April 16, Youth and Missionary Family visited rural communities, urban areas, detention centers, and hospitals to be missionaries of mercy and peace as requested by Pope Francis.
This year, they carried a special commission from Mons. Franco Coppola, Apostolic Nuncio in Mexico, who presided over the sending mass at the Basilica of Guadalupe; he asked the missionaries: “Bring all the love and joy of Christ to the people you visit… because you carry the announcement of the missionary Church.”
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel”
Missionaries in Costa Rica.During Holy Week, visits were made to sick, marginalized, and needy people, those who need to be heard and to receive a message of hope. Megamisión 2017 concluded with a Eucharistic celebration at the Anáhuac Mexico University Campus North presided over by Fr. Eduardo Robles-Gil, LC, and concelebrated by dozens of Legionary priests who participated in the missions. Thousands of young people and families filled the university plaza to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ and to give thanks for having been witnesses, so close in the visited communities, of God’s mercy.
The homily was delivered by Fr. Hernán Jiménez, LC, who shared with all present that on this day, Fr. Eduardo Robles-Gil, LC, and Fr. Ricardo Sada, LC, celebrated 45 years since joining Regnum Christi. He also thanked the missionaries for their enthusiasm, because it is in joy that one perceives Christ’s presence encouraging the most in need and nourishing their faith. “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel, as Christ has asked, and do not sail in the river of comfort, mediocrity, and everything that distances you from Heaven.” This was the invitation made by Fr. Hernán.
Missionary work in rural chapels.The experiences lived in family and personally have a very positive influence on the missionaries and young people who wish to help; Bernardo Rangel shares his testimony: “As a Lay Consecrated of Regnum Christi, Megamisiones are an opportunity for me to live and preach the message of Jesus in rural communities. This year I had the chance to go on missions with university students to Hidalgo and to the missionary brigades of ASUA (Social Action of the Anáhuac University) in Oaxaca. The latter involve carrying out a social project with young people who do not yet feel prepared to go on traditional missions. In this way, we incorporate the opportunity to live Holy Days in an environment of social action, with a missionary evangelizing component and another spiritual component in young people who perhaps had not had the opportunity to experience Holy Week in a climate of reflection, fervor, and evangelization.”
At the end of the celebration, Fr. Eduardo Robles-Gil thanked everyone present for their prayers over his 45 years of joining Regnum Christi. He echoed the words of Pope Francis, encouraging everyone as missionaries to commit themselves to causes that transform society into a more just and Christian community. He asked everyone to maintain a life very close to God, recalling the promises of baptism and inviting others to be near God.
Missionaries in El Salvador.Missionaries from various parts of the world
Also attending the mass were some missionaries from Venezuela, Indonesia, and Colombia. Participating were the seminarians of the Legion of Christ and thousands of family members accompanying their missionary children from the Semper Altius Schools Network, and from other schools and universities across the country.
On the other hand, at the Legion of Christ Novitiate in Monterrey, Fr. Paul Lara, LC, territorial director of Monterrey, celebrated the closing mass of Megamisión 2017, with the presence of hundreds of families and young missionaries. In Guadalajara, Fr. Óscar Pérez, LC, was the one who celebrated the closing mass of Megamisión, inviting young people to respond generously to Christ every day, because it is He who changes the lives of each one and those around them for the better.
Youth and Missionary Family was born in response to Pope John Paul II’s New Evangelization. Next year, it will celebrate 25 years of missionary work around the world bringing hope to the most in need.
These missions are carried out in 20 countries, joining the work of dioceses and Catholic movements that dedicate their time, sometimes their rest, to visit the sick, marginalized, and those who give and receive the best of themselves, hope, and mercy. Missionary families worldwide will follow up on their communities and continue collaborating in their own parishes and dioceses.
