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On Mission for the Kingdom
9. In imitation of Jesus, those whom God calls to
follow him are consecrated and invited to continue his mission in the world.
Indeed, consecrated life itself, guided by the action of the Holy Spirit,
becomes a mission. The more consecrated persons allow themselves to be
conformed to Christ, the more Christ is made present and active in history for
the salvation of all.32 Open to the needs of the world as
seen through the eyes of God, they point to a future with the hope of resurrection,
ready to follow the example of Christ who came among us that we “might have
life and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10).
Zeal for the establishment of the
Kingdom of God and the salvation of brothers and sisters thus constitutes the
best proof of a self-offering authentically lived by consecrated persons. That
is why every new attempt at renewal can be seen as a new impetus for the
evangelizing mission.33 With the help of ongoing formation
consecrated persons learn to choose from among intense spiritual experiences
which lead to courageous decisions.
The interventions of the members in
the Plenary and the reports presented called forth admiration for the varied
missionary activity of consecrated persons. In a particular way we recognise
the preciousness of apostolic work carried out with generosity and the
particular richness of the “feminine genius” of consecrated women. This merits the greatest recognition on
the part of all, of pastors and of the faithful. But the path embarked upon
must be deepened and extended. “It is therefore urgently necessary to take
certain concrete steps beginning by providing
room for women to
participatein different fields and at all
levels including decision making processes”.34
A word of thanks is especially
extended to those who find themselves on
the front lines. Availability for the mission is attested to with a
courageous outreach to people who are still waiting to hear the first
proclamation of the Gospel. Perhaps more than ever before, precisely at a time
when some Institutes are experiencing a decrease in numbers, many new
foundations have come into being. Looking through the lessons of history for an
answer to the hopes of humanity, some
Gospel-inspired initiatives and daring have compelled consecrated men and women
into difficult positions even to the risk of and the effective sacrificing of
life.35
While carrying out the Gospel works
of mercy with renewed concern, many consecrated persons are encountering sick
people to care for and those in every kind of need, afflicted by old and new
forms of poverty. They are making crucial contributions in other ministries as
well, such as that of education which enables the faith to mature through
catechesis or even in exercising a true intellectual apostolate. With sacrifice
and greater collaboration they also sustain the voice of the Church in the
means of communication which promote social transformation.36
Deeply convinced of the need, an increased number of men and women religious
has chosen to live among those who are excluded. Amidst a humanity in movement,
where many are forced to emigrate, these men and women of the Gospel push
forward to the border for the love of
Christ, making the last first.
The highly spiritual contribution
which nuns offer to evangelization is also very significant. It is “the soul
and yeast of apostolic activity leaving the active participation in it to those
whose vocation it is”.37 “Thus their lives become a
mysterious source of apostolic fruitfulness and blessing for the Christian
Community and the whole world”.38
Finally, it is fitting to recall
that in recent years the Martyrology of
the witnesses of faith and love in consecrated life has been further and
notably enriched. Difficult situations have required from not a few consecrated
persons the extreme proof of love in genuine faithfulness to the Kingdom.
Consecrated to Christ and to the service of his Kingdom, their witness in
following him, has brought them to the point of the cross. Though circumstances
might differ and situations might vary the cause of martyrdom is always the
same—fidelity to the Lord and to his Gospel: “since it is not the pain which
makes the martyr but rather the cause”.39
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