ROMANIA: Initiatives are in full swing for Missionary October, awaing the visit of Sr Inês Paulo Albino, new Secretary General of the Pontifical Society of Missionary Childhood

In Romania, activities, initiatives and proposals aimed at children and young people are in full swing to better experience Missionary October. The aim is for the children themselves to draw all their peers to Jesus and make them aware of the missions.

Since October 1, the Romanian Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) have been broadcasting ‘With Jesus in eMission’, a title inspired by the children's missionary magazine ‘With Jesus in Mission’. The main protagonist of the eMission is Angel Teresita, representing Teresita Diego de Castillo, the Spanish girl who, before dying of a brain tumour, wanted to become a missionary, offering her suffering so that all children could know Jesus. Angel Teresita interacts with the children of eMission, answering questions and presenting a virtual character, a model of holiness. On October 1, for example, it was the turn of St. Therese of Lisieux, in the second episode that of Blessed Charles Acutis. The program features Monsignor Charles de Forbin Janson, founder of the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood (POSI), and on Mission Sunday the ‘guest of honour’ will be Blessed Pauline Jaricot.  One of the most eagerly awaited events is the visit of Sr Inês Paulo Albino A.S.C., Secretary General of POSI, which is doubly important because Romania is the first country that Sr Inês visited since she took up this post. Sr Inês will meet the missionary children of Romania, but also those of the Republic of Moldova, and will participate in the missionary triduum organized in the Diocese of Chisinau.

Other activities underway for Missionary October include missionary catechesis for young people and the Missionary Vigil, as well as the preparation of rosaries and missionary bracelets, cards with the World Mission Day theme, to be offered to all peers to invite them to the Missionary Vigil and the Eucharistic celebration. Finally, a theatre performance on figures of saints, and the ordinary activities that have been intensified in October, including meetings on the ZOOM digital platform, lectio divina, prayer of the rosary with children and adolescents, and on Saturdays, missionary formation inspired by the Sunday Gospel.