Promoting Evangelization at Home and Abroad by Fr. Michael Montoya, MJ, DMin Executive Director of United States Catholic Mission Association

Every baptized person receives from All of us, by virtue of our , Christ, like the Apostles, the missionary are missionaries! However, we are mandate: “Go into all the world and seldom referred to as missionaries. In preach the to the whole creation” fact, if one looks at the different (Mk 16:15). (Address of His Holiness programs we have in our parishes— Benedict XVI, The Fifth General religious education, RCIA, sacramental Conference of the Bishops of preparations, youth ministry, young America and the Caribbean at Aparecida, adult ministry—we seldom hear about Brazil [AD], no. 3) our identity as missionaries, despite the A new evangelization is synonymous fact that we claim that the Church by its with mission, requiring the capacity to very nature is missionary (see Second set out anew, go beyond boundaries and Vatican Council, On the Church’s broaden horizons. ( of Bishops, Missionary Activity [] [AG], no. XIII Ordinary General Assembly, The 2, in Vatican Council II: Volume 1: The New Evangelization for the Transmission Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents, of the Christian Faith, Lineamenta [LNE], ed. Austin Flannery [Northport, NY: no. 10) Costello Publishing, 1996]). Or as the Go to any parish on any given Holy Father, Benedict XVI, Sunday and ask the congregation who reminds us through his address to the among them know of a missionary, and Bishops of Latin America and the only a few will raise their hands. Then Caribbean, “The Church has the great ask who among them are baptized, and task of guarding and nourishing the the majority, if not all, will raise their faith of the , and hands. This has been my experience for reminding the faithful of this Continent the past four years, asking the same that, by virtue of their Baptism, they are questions every time I go to a parish to called to be disciples and missionaries preach about mission and of Jesus Christ” (AD, no. 3). evangelization. We need to reclaim and celebrate our identity as missionaries to be able

to promote evangelization. As Pope Paul remains in me and I in him will bear VI stated, beginning by quoting the much fruit, because without me you can Assembly of 1974, “‘Evangelizing all do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Jesus is indeed people constitutes the essential mission the way, the truth, and the life (Jn 14:6). of the Church.’ It is a task and mission As Pope Benedict XVI echoes, “To be which the vast and profound changes of disciples and missionaries of Jesus present-day society make all the more Christ and to seek life ‘in him’ urgent. Evangelizing is in fact the grace presupposes being deeply rooted in him” and vocation proper to the Church, her (AD, no. 3). Simply put, the Lineamenta deepest identity. She exists in order to reminds us, “What is not believed or evangelize” (Paul VI, apostolic lived cannot be transmitted” (LNE, no. exhortation, Evangelization in the 12). We cannot be witnesses to Jesus Modern World [Evangelii Nuntiandi] and the Good News he proclaims if we [EN], no. 14, do not know who he is or what he is www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/ap about. Discipleship is, after all, ost_exhortations/documents/hf_p- “participating in the Life that comes vi_exh_19751208_evangelii- from the bosom of the Father; it means nuntiandi_en.html). being formed to take on his own style of life and his same motivations sharing Rooted in Christ his lot and taking on his mission of making all things new” (AD, no. 131). The call to participate in God’s The evangelizing mission of the Church mission and to proclaim the Good News is “not limited to a program or project, requires rootedness in Christ Jesus who but it is sharing the experience of the calls and sends us out: “As the Father event of the encounter with Christ, has sent me, so I send you” (Jn 20:21). witnessing it and announcing it from The same Jesus who said “receive the person to person, from community to holy Spirit” (Jn 20:22) continues to community, and from the Church to the enkindle in our hearts the passion for ends of the earth” (AD, no. 145). God’s mission. It is Jesus Christ, the fountain of Good News, who calls us to The Church Is Missionary by discipleship and mission, the Good Her Very Nature News we are called to proclaim. “Discipleship and mission are like the Mission is part of our DNA as two sides of a single coin. When the Catholics. It is integral to who we are disciple is in love with Christ, he cannot and what we are about. It belongs to the stop proclaiming to the world that only very being of the Church (“Preamble,” in him do we find salvation. In effect, Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious the disciple knows that without Christ World, Recommendations for Conduct, there is no light, no hope, no love, no World Council of Churches, Pontifical future” (AD, no. 3). Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and In the same way, in order to World Evangelical Alliance, 2011, 1). evangelize, a missionary by Baptism Without mission, there is no Church. In must have a deep relationship with him the words of our bishops, “To say who is the Good News. Jesus said, “I am ‘Church’ is to say ‘mission’” (To the Ends the vine, you are the branches. Whoever of the Earth: A Pastoral Statement on

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World Mission, social and cultural situations” (LNE, no. old.usccb.org/wm/earth.shtml, no. 16). 9). This call echoes that of the This claim has deep implications to how concluding document of the Fifth we promote evangelization. The very General Conference of the Bishops of beat of our heart should be the words of Latin America and the Caribbean at St. Paul: “Woe to me if I do not preach it Aparecida (sometimes called the [the Gospel]” (1 Cor 9:16). Aparecida Document) where the This importance of mission and bishops reminded the Church of its call evangelization to the life and being of “to a deep and profound rethinking of the Church is what makes the Synod on its mission and [to] re-launch it with New Evangelization announced by Pope fidelity and boldness in the new Benedict XVI exigent! The Catholic circumstances of Latin America and the Church, as a whole, must once again world” (AD, no. 11). It is not simply enter into a profound discernment on about repeating the past or a judgment this aspect of her identity. The on its failures, but it is proposed “to Lineamenta for the synod is clear in its reawaken and elicit renewed efforts in a message. “Being Christian and ‘being new missionary and evangelizing Church’ means being missionary; one is undertaking on the continent” (LNE, no. or is not” (LNE, no. 10). It is emphatic in 5). This mission stance challenges the proclaiming, “Loving one’s faith implies “‘business as usual’ attitude” (LNE, no. bearing witness to it, bringing it to 10) in our evangelizing efforts. Instead, others and allowing others to we, as a Church community, are called participate in it. The lack of missionary “to evaluate [our] pastoral practice[s] zeal is a lack of zeal for the faith” (LNE, on the basis of the missionary character no. 10). of [our] programs and activities” (LNE, This process of discernment no. 10). In the midst of the abiding and requires moments of listening, ever-changing realities of our times, the understanding, and interpretation (see call to evangelize has never been more LNE, no. 3). It is a process that calls on urgent. Mission and evangelization us “to discern the changes in various must permeate every action, decision, cultural and social settings and their and commitment we have as a Church. impact on Christian life, to reread the It is the blood that runs through our memory of faith and to undertake new veins as a living Church. responsibilities and generate new energies to joyously and convincingly What Constitutes Mission proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ” and Evangelization? (LNE, no. 5). Confronted with today’s realities, we Someone asked me once what we are summoned as individuals, and as a mean when we say mission and Church community, to have “the evangelization. I gave an etymological courage to forge new paths” (LNE, no. discourse and some definitions from 5) to effectively respond to the missiologists, but that did not satisfy. I challenges of mission. The Lineamenta soon realized that person was not is clear regarding “finding new asking for a technical definition or an approaches to evangelization so as ‘to account of the evolving meaning of the be Church’ in today’s ever-changing terms used throughout the years. I

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realized that the person was asking for social transformation or dialogue is what constitutes mission and incomplete as is the work for social evangelization for this day and age. justice without spirituality or SEDOS, the documentation and witnessing. Each component is integral study center on global mission in Rome to the other, and only when we established by the many religious integrate the five components can we orders engaged in mission, held a ten- truly appreciate the expansive day consultation meeting in 1981 at challenge of mission and evangelization. which its members affirmed four When it speaks of the varied elements dimensions of mission: proclamation, that may comprise the complex process dialogue, inculturation, and of evangelization, USCMA has adopted commitment to the liberation of the the same attitude expressed in Evangelii poor. (For the proceedings of the Nuntiandi. “These elements may appear meetings, see Joseph Lang and Mary to be contradictory, indeed mutually Motte, eds., Mission and Dialogue exclusive. In fact they are [Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1982].) In complementary and mutually enriching. 2000, the first Mission Congress in Each one must always be seen in more than twenty years was held in the relationship with the others” (EN, no. United States. At that congress, five 24). The bishops clearly express their components of mission and directives on mission and evangelization were affirmed: evangelization in the Lineamenta for the proclamation, social transformation Synod on New Evangelization. (justice and peace), witness, dialogue, “[Proclamation] is not a matter of and spirituality/prayer. Like Evangelii preaching a word of consolation, but Nuntiandi, what these two gatherings rather a Word which disrupts, which emphasized was the multidimensional calls to conversion and which opens the aspect of mission. These gatherings way to an encounter with the one recognized the complex reality of through whom a new humanity flowers” evangelization (EN, nos. 17 and 24) and (LNE, no.13, quoting Benedict XVI, post- the fact that the evangelizing mission of synodal , On the the Church must penetrate all strata of Word of God in the Life and Mission of humanity (EN, no. 18). This, however, the Church [Verbum Domini], no. 93, has sometimes added to the confusion www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xv (at times discomfort) of what i/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben- constitutes mission and evangelization. xvi_exh_20100930_verbum- On several occasions, I heard people domini_en.html). The Lineamenta is proposing only one component over the equally direct when it addresses the other as if one can exist without the integration of witnessing, dialogue, and other. justice and peace. “The Church must The United States Catholic Mission convincingly sustain her efforts at Association (USCMA), the official uniting all Christians in a common network of all U.S. Catholic missionaries witness to the world of the prophetic serving all over the world, has taken its and transforming power of the Gospel mandate to promote mission and global message. Justice, peace, living with solidarity to mean integration of all five others and the stewardship of creation components. Proclamation without have characterized ecumenism over the

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decades. Together, Christians can also Is Mission?,” mission is ultimately on offer them to the world as places where God’s terms! “This is not our mission; it the question of God in people’s lives can is God’s mission, in which we are called be addressed” (LNE, no. 7). to participate” (see Integrating these basic components www.uscatholicmission.org/files/uscath of mission and evangelization is integral olicmission/files/schreiterkeynote.pdf). and fundamental to our faith response In that same conference, a as baptized people. We cannot simply missionary from Africa sent to the pick and choose that which for us is United States commented, “How come convenient or easier to address. Mission when priests and sisters go to my and evangelization must indeed country, they call themselves penetrate all levels of our life as missionaries, but when we go to the U.S., Christians: culture, social sector, means they do not want to call us missionaries of social communication, the economy, but pastoral workers?” This comment scientific and technological research, points to another dynamic of and civic and political life (see LNE, no. missionary activity. Mission is both 6). And as these five components are sending and receiving, it is both at integrated, so is the outcome of our home and abroad. “Today, all five evangelization holistic. “The fruit of continents are fields of missionary evangelization is changed lives and a activity. . . . Transcending the changed world—holiness and justice, geographic confines of former spirituality and peace” (Go and Make missionary activity means having the Disciples: A National Plan and Strategy capacity to raise the question of God at for Catholic Evangelization in the United every moment in the encounters States [Washington, DC: United States created by the mixing and rebuilding of Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the fabric of society, a phenomenon 1993], no. 18). which is taking place in almost every local setting” (LNE, no. 6). Where Do We Go from Here? Three things to remember from the above statements: First, mission In 2006, the USCMA silver jubilee belongs to God (Missio Dei) and we are mission conference dealt with the called to participate in it. Second, theme “Short Term, Long Term on geography and the length of stay do not Whose Terms?” In the dialogue that necessarily determine mission. Third, ensued, it was affirmed that neither the mission is both sending and receiving, length of stay nor geographic both at home and abroad. boundaries determine mission. Indeed, in the age of globalization, neither How Then Do We Promote physically crossing a geographic border the Evangelizing Mission of nor living in a different country for a the Church at Home and long period of time necessarily constitutes mission. Mission and Abroad? evangelization are much more complex Jesus said, “I have come to set the and multifaceted. More importantly, as earth on fire, and how I wish it were Fr. Robert Schreiter, CPPS, emphasized already blazing!” (Lk 12:49). As we look in his keynote speech “On Whose Term

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into our own response as individuals i//documents/hf_jp- and as communities of faith, can we ii_enc_07121990_redemptoris- truly say that our hearts are burning for missio_en.html). mission and evangelization? How can How do we begin? We need to start we claim truth to our identity as by claiming our identity as missionaries missionaries and to the evangelizing by virtue of our Baptism and use that as mission of the Church? Or in the words a lens as we look into the different of the Lineamenta, “Are we truly aspects of our faith life. For every missionary at heart?” (LNE, no. 10) program we do in the parish, we can ask As I go around the country “How does this strengthen the preaching about mission and missionary identity of the parish?” or evangelization, many are surprised “How does this promote the whenever I share stories about North evangelizing mission of the Church?” or Americans who have dedicated their “How am I being missionary?” entire lives to mission—some here in We can also be intentional in the United States and others abroad. I creating opportunities to really reflect also make them aware of North on our missionary identity. We can American missionaries who have been invite missionaries from our local killed in recent years. Their comments community to share stories about their range from “I did not realize that there experiences in mission. We can are Americans in mission abroad” to “I organize mission immersion trips both did not know that we have missionaries locally and internationally. We can be in the United States” to “I did not realize intentional in incorporating mission in that missionaries are still being killed in our preaching. We can transform the this time and age.” And of course I “service learning” aspect of our always hear the usual comment that “I Confirmation program, CCD classes, or never thought of myself as missionary.” youth and young adult activities to be We have many opportunities to more mission-oriented. We can build change the perception of individuals partnerships and relationships with and our parish communities regarding parishes outside our diocese, either mission and evangelization. One thing is within the United States or abroad. certain: our local commitment to Our offers many mission (or lack thereof) affects the wonderful documents that can help us promotion of evangelization both at deepen our missionary perspective and home and abroad. As Pope John Paul II strengthen our role as evangelizers. We reminds us in his on the can enrich our faith response by permanent validity of the Church’s availing ourselves of the wisdom and missionary mandate, a necessary link learning contained in documents such exists between the two: “Missionary as Ad Gentes, Evangelii Nuntiandi, and activity ad intra is a credible sign and a , among others. We stimulus for missionary activity ad might also read the Aparecida extra, and vice versa” (John Paul II, Document written by the bishops of Encyclical, On the Permanent Validity of CELAM, which is one of the most the Church’s Missionary Mandate current Church documents on mission [Redemptoris Missio] [RM], no. 34, and evangelization. All these documents www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_i are now accessible through the Internet.

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The USCMA has also come out with a solidarity, partnership and exchange], bilingual “Study Guide for Use with the and commit itself as a group to a unique Aparecida Document” that integrates and common mission of proclaiming the different Church teachings on and living the Gospel [communal mission in a usable format. Finally, of witnessing of a mission-oriented course, we want to encourage reading community]” (LNE, no. 5). the Scriptures and listening to its message with the ears of a missionary. “Go into the Whole World We also encourage familiarity with and Proclaim the Gospel to the documents produced by our own Every Creature” (Mk 16:15) bishops in the United States, particularly Go and Make Disciples and In conclusion, we ask, “Why do we Teaching the Spirit of Mission Ad Gentes. need to evangelize?” Our answer is this: Both documents contain concrete because it is the Lord who commanded suggestions for individuals, parishes, or us to proclaim the Good News (Mk dioceses, and both documents are on 16:15), to go and make disciples of all the USCCB’s website. nations (see Mt 28:19)! This mandate is The bottom line is that we have as urgent as ever. And the time is now! many ways to promote mission and “We cannot let this hour of grace slip by. evangelization and many resources We need a new Pentecost! We need to available to help us in the process. We go out to meet individuals, families, are only limited by our own creativity communities, and peoples to and by our own willingness to really communicate to them, and share the gift embrace our identity as missionaries. of encounter with Christ, who has filled The Lineamenta for the synod on our lives with ‘meaning,’ truth and love, New Evangelization has given us basic joy and hope!” (AD, no. 548). principles that can guide our efforts. Truth be told, once we embrace our Quoting the late Pope John Paul II’s identity as missionaries, we cannot help post-synodal apostolic exhortation On but proclaim the Good News. As the the Vocation and the Mission of the Lay prophet Jeremiah says: Faithful in the Church and in the World I say to myself, I will not mention [Christifideles Laici] (December 30, him, 1988, no. 35: AAS 81 [1989], no. 458), I will speak in his name no more. the Lineamenta affirms, “The Church But then it becomes like fire burning today ought to take a giant step forward in my heart, in her evangelization effort, and enter imprisoned in my bones; into a new stage of history in her I grow weary holding it in, missionary dynamism. In a world where I cannot endure it. (Jer 20:9) the lessening of distance makes the world increasingly smaller, the Church community ought to strengthen the bonds among its members [networking/collaboration/partnership ], exchange vital energies and means [promoting and building global

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Copyright © 2012, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to duplicate this work without adaptation for non-commercial use. Excerpts from Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents edited by Austin Flannery, OP, copyright © 1975, Costello Publishing Company, Inc., Northport, NY, are used with permission of the publisher, all rights reserved. No part of these excerpts may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without express written permission of Costello Publishing Company.

Excerpts from Pope Benedict XVI, The Fifth General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America and the Caribean at Aparecida, Brazil, copyright © 2007. Libreria Editrice Vaticana (LEV), . Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Pope Benedict XVI, On the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church (Verbum Domini), copyright © 2008, Liberia Editrice Vaticana (LEV), Vatican City; Pope John Paul II, On the Permanent Validity of the Church’s missionary Mandate, copyright © 1990. LEV; On the Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World (Christifidels Laici), copyright © 1988. Pope Paul VI, Evangelization in the Modern World (Evangelii Nuntiandi), copyright © 1975, LEV, Synod of Bishops, XIII Ordinary General Assembly, The New Evangelization for the Transmission for the Christian Faith, Lineamenta, copyright © 2011, (LEV). Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures texts used in this work are taken from the New American , copyrigh at © 1991, 1986, and 1970 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC 20017 and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved.

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