AMERICA, WITH THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT, WITNESSES OF CHRIST! - XIX Continental Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies Puerto Rico

The XIX Continental Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) was held at Casa Manresa, Aibonito, Puerto Rico, during the week of February 6-10.

The event began on Monday, with the opening Mass presided by His Excellency Msgr. Eusebio Ramos Morales, Bishop of the Diocese of Caguas. Msgr. Ramos Morales welcomed the National Directors, thanking the PMS and its mission of presence, accompaniment, and support to various peoples of the world: “We know of the sacrifices of so many brothers and sisters in places of conflict, our brothers and sisters. Thank you for raising missionary awareness in priests. Once again, the PMS is making an impact on the Church.” He entrusted this meeting to the Virgin Mary, Our Lady Mother of Divine Providence, patroness of Puerto Rico: “May faith in Christ always encourage you, and may He fill your hearts with His love and hope, so that you may continue your mission of evangelization, despite the difficulties and hardships you may encounter.”

On the same day, the new President of the International Secretariats of the PMS, Archbishop Emilio Nappa, addressed a message of greetings to all the participants and invited them to work together in a fruitful manner.

One of the most relevant topics of the Continental Assembly of the PMS was the preparation of the VI American Missionary Congress (CAM6) that will be held in Puerto Rico. Father José Orlando Camacho Torres, CSSp, General Coordinator of CAM6, addressed the National Directors of the PMS from different countries of the continent, explaining the preparatory steps that the Church in Puerto Rico is taking towards this continental meeting that will take place in the year 2024. Likewise, Angel David Montes Reyes, Executive Secretary of CAM6, informed the National Directors regarding the location of the congress in Ponce and presented a tentative program.

Some of the topics for reflection during the Continental Assembly were:

“The charism of the PMS”;
“CELAM: new structure / common points / Ecclesial Assembly”;
“Synthesis of the CAM6 preparation”;
“Dialogue on the Challenges - Symposium Canada”;
“Perspectives of CAM6”;
and various topics on continental advances.

Very important was the talk given by Bishop Octavio Cisneros, who spoke of the importance of the mission that is “projecting and being a witness of faith,” as well as the talk given by Father Bernardino Lazo, Director of the PMS in Honduras and member of the Theological Commission of CAM6, who reflected on how the mission is called to transform the reality in which we live.

Father José Orlando Camacho Torres, CSSp, General Coordinator of CAM6