The training course was organized by the Diocese of Rutana with the support of the International Secretariat of the Pontifical Missionary Union and the national direction of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Burundi, with the aim of instilling in all the baptized a missionary spirit "ad gentes," addressing the current challenges of mission throughout the world.
The meetings were held at the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Rutana and were attended by two groups of pastoral workers (priests, men and women religious, and lay people, teachers, catechists, and leaders of basic ecclesial communities). The first group, composed of 57 people, met from August 11 to 14, 2025, while the second, with 63 participants, took place from August 18 to 21, 2025.
The training highlighted the fundamental role of every baptized person in the mission of evangelization within the local and universal Church. The theme of the priest's identity, which is by nature a missionary, both within and outside the Church, was addressed. The training focused essentially on the following points: the Word made flesh is a missionary of the Father, as is the priest; just as the Father sends the Son into the world, so the priest is an envoy of the Son of God; the priest participates in the one priesthood of Christ, which finds its essence in the proclamation of the Good News of Salvation.
One aspect emphasized was the important role of catechists, who with dedication and commitment carry out the mission of evangelization, offering an invaluable gift to parish communities. Care was taken to train the leaders of basic ecclesial communities, who play an important missionary role in the parish community, because evangelized families in turn become evangelizing families. During the training, the role and importance of the Pontifical Mission Societies as pillars of missionary activity in the Church was also explored.
